Summer Skincare Problems You Can Prevent

#1: Acne: The summer heat increases the amount we sweat which can clog pores and cause more severe acne outbreaks as well as ingrown hairs and other summer skincare issues.

• Shower after you workout or sweat heavily and use a foaming cleanser.
• Don’t touch your face with your hands that could have foreign bacteria on them from objects you’ve touched earlier in the day.

#2: Sunburn. Getting sunburnt can increase your chance of getting skin cancer as well as be extremely painful and harmful to your skin.

• Wear a bread-spectrum SPF 30+ water resistant suncreen every time you’re out in the sun.
• Wearing clothing that covers your skin while you’re out in the sunlight is best. A wide brimmed hat can help prevent any scars from getting darker and more noticeable as well as prevent skin cancer.
• Try to stay in the shade.

#3: Poison Ivey, Oak, & Sumac.

Hiking and camping are great summertime activities but make sure to take care of your summer skincare. Increased outdoor activity may lead to an accidental brush with poisonous plants. Rashes known as contact dermatitis can be caused by an oil found in these plants, to which about 85 percent of all people are allergic. Signs of contact include raised red patches with blisters, swelling, and itching that may not appear for 12 to 72 hours.

#4: Folliculitis: Every hair on your body grows out of an opening called a follicle. When follicles get infected, you develop folliculitis. Infected hair follicles look like pimples, but they tend to be itchy and tender.

• To reduce your risk of getting folliculitis this summer:
• Immediately after your workout, change out of tight workout clothes like biking shorts and shower.
• Stay out of hot tubs and whirlpools if you’re unsure whether the acid and chlorine levels are properly controlled.So many people get folliculitis from a hot tub that there is actually a condition called “hot tub folliculitis.”
• Wear light-weight, loose-fitting clothes when it’s hot and humid.

#5: Dry, irritated skin: When outdoor air is hot and humid, you can still have dry irritated skin. The biggest culprits are spending time in the sun, pool, and air-conditioning.

If your skin starts to feel dry and irritated despite the humidity, try these tips:

• Shower and shampoo immediately after getting out of the pool, using fresh, clean water and a mild cleanser or body wash made for swimmers.
• Apply sunscreen before going outdoors, using one that offers broad-spectrum protection, SPF 30+, and water resistance.
• Use a mild cleanser to wash your skin. Soaps and body washes labeled “antibacterial” or “deodorant” can dry your skin.
• Take showers and baths in warm rather than hot water.
• Slather on a fragrance-free moisturizer after every shower and bath. Moisturizer works by trapping water in your skin, so you’ll need to apply it within 5 minutes of taking a shower or bath.
• Carry moisturizer with you, so you can apply it after washing your hands and when your skin feels dry.
• Turn up the thermostat if the air conditioning makes your home too dry.