How to take care of your skin in summer

Why does your skin need special care in summer?

In the heat, the glands secrete more sebum and sweat, and the bacteria on the surface of the epidermis feel good in warmth and multiply intensively. Therefore, even dry skin shines more, and rashes becomesK. Sardana, R.C. Sharma, R. Sarkar. Seasonal Variation in Acne Vulgaris—Myth or Reality / The Journal of Dermatology more.

Due to active sun growsHyperpigmentation / Cleveland Clinic risk of burns. Especially if enjoyDrug-Induced Photosensitivity / Medscape cosmetics and perfumes with substances that increase sensitivity to the sun - photosensitizers.

Ultraviolet provokesSun Exposure & Skin Cancer / Cleveland Clinic development of malignant diseases: squamous and basal cell skin cancer, melanoma.

Also in the summer, wrinkles and dark spots, such as freckles or solar lentigo, may appear. Stronger tan skin maybePostinflammatory Hyperpigmentation / Medscape and in places of damage. This is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

This is due to the fact that any injury, including that received during cosmetic procedures, leads to local inflammation. Because of it, various substances are released in the skin that stimulate melanocytes - the cells responsible for pigmentation. They begin to work more actively and color the skin.

In addition, when the skin is damaged, the cells of the epidermis are destroyed, a pigment is released from them, which captures the layers located below. From this, some areas also darken.

What skin needs in summer

As the weather changes, so do the needs. The cosmetics that were used in the winter are no longer suitable. Due to dense pore textures get cloggedWhy Is Acne Worse in the Summer? / Cleveland Clinic and flare up more often.

Protection

Skin cancer is easier preventHow to Practice Safe Sun / The American Academy of Dermatologythan other malignant diseases. To reduce the risks of its development, it is enough to protect the ultraviolet-sensitive epidermis. In addition, it will save him from burns, premature agingSee how the sun damages your skin / The American Academy of Dermatology and darkening.

Sand and water increaseSunscreen F.A.Q. / The American Academy of Dermatology the need for special tools, because they reflect the sun's rays.

American Academy of Dermatology recommendsWhy Is Acne Worse in the Summer? / Cleveland Clinic waterproof sunscreen because in summer people are more sweat and swim in the waters. SPF must be at least 30. Apply makeup at least 15 minutes before going outside to allow it to absorb.

It is preferable to use a water-based cream: this way the skin will not clog and there will be less rashes.

What to buy

• Sun cream with SPF50 from La Roche-Posay, 1 028 rubles → 
• Sun cream with SPF30 from Clarins, 3 320 rubles → 

Additional damage protection provideM. S. Matsui, A. Hsia, J. D. Miller, K. Hanneman, H. Skull, K. D. Cooper, E. baron. Non-Sunscreen Photoprotection: Antioxidants Add Value to a Sunscreen / antioxidants. They do not block the sun's rays, but interfere with the destruction of cells and help them recover.

It's good if it's included willI. Kusumawati, G. Indrayanto. Natural Antioxidants in Cosmetics / Studies in Natural Products Chemistry:

• vitamin E (Tocopheryl acetate);
• vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid);
• resveratrol (Resveratrol dimethyl ether);
• blueberry extracts (Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) fruit extract), arnica (Arnica montana (arnica) flower extract), acerola (Malpighia Punicifolia (Acerola) Fruit Extract), Green Tea (Camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract) and others plants;
• algae extracts such as Chlorella vulgaris, Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract.

What to buy

• Face serum with vitamin C from Payot, 2 892 rubles →
• Facial emulsion with algae, vitamins C and E from Farmstay, 1,107 rubles → 
• Intensive face serum with resveratrol from NOVOSVIT, 191 rubles → 
• Face cream with seaweed from ALGAMAR, 7 455 rubles → 

Moisturizing

In summer, the skin needs moisturizing no less than in winter. Due to the increased shine, it may seem that the face or body needs to be dried, but this is a deceptive feeling. Oiliness and hydration are different characteristics, and overdried skin becomes even more oily.

Choose water-based creams with a light gel texture, add serums and essences with hyaluronic acid.

What to buy

• Moisturizing face cream from Clarins, 3 849 rubles →
• Moisturizing face cream from Payot, 2,700 rubles →
• Payot Moisturizing Facial Serum, 1,518 rubles → 
• Moisturizing face serum from Biotherm, 5 274 rubles → 

Soft cleansing

Due to the heat, thick products can cause discomfort and a feeling that the skin is dirty. Therefore, even a cleanser can be chosen lighter. For example, take foam instead of milk or cream. But this does not mean that less cleansing is needed in the summer.

One of the reasons for the appearance of rashes - blockageAcne / Mayo Clinic ducts of the sebaceous glands with a thick secret and dead cells. Since bacteria and sebum in the summer it becomes larger, you need to periodically gently cleanse the skin of old scales so as not to provoke inflammation.

It is better to choose cosmetics with a small percentage of aggressive ingredients, such as mild enzyme powders. They consist of small abrasive particles, such as rice or oatmeal, and enzymes, such as papain. Such products very delicately cleanse the stratum corneum of the skin.

But it is better to forget about scrubs with hard abrasives, such as apricot kernel, at any time of the year.

Acid peels and washes can also be used in the summer, but with caution. It is important to apply them less often and only in the evenings, and apply more sunscreen during the day.

What to buy

• Enzyme powder for washing with PHA-acids from Aravia, 1,132 rubles → 
• Washing gel with AHA acids from Christina, 2,070 rubles →
• Moisturizing cream foam for washing from CeraVe, 919 rubles → 
• Micellar cleansing foam for washing from La Roche-Posay, 1 625 rubles → 

What substances should you be careful with?

Some substances can either injure the skin and cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or increase sensitivity to ultraviolet light and provoke burns.

acids

Acids generally refer to AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids). The first group includes, for example, almond, glycolic, pyruvic. To the second - salicylic.

Both should be used with caution. They are damageChemical peel / Mayo Clinic skin, which means that instead of wrinkles and rashes, you can get dark spots of hyperpigmentation.

According to manufacturers, PHAs are safe in summer - polyhydroxy acids: lactobionic, gluconolactone. But there have been no non-commercial studies yet.

Retinoids

This is a group of vitamin A derivatives. In cells, such as skin there isW. H. Tolleson, S. Cherng, Q. Xia, M. Boudreau, J. J. Ying, W. G. Wamer, P. C. Howard, H. Yu, P. P. Fu. Photodecomposition and Phototoxicity of Natural Retinoids / Photodecomposition and Phototoxicity of Natural Retinoids receptors only for retinoic acid, the rest of the substances must go through complex chemical transformations in order to become it and enter the cell. During reactions, some substances are always “lost”. Therefore, the more steps you need, the less “finished product” you end up with.

These compounds differ in the strength of the impact, that is, the number of transformations to the active form:

• retinol acetate (retinyl acetate);
• retinol palmitate (retinyl palmitate);
• retinol (retinol);
• retinaldehyde / retinal (retinaldehyde / retinal);
• retinoic acid / tretinoin (retinoic acid / tretinoin).

The whole group has phototoxicity - it acquires damaging properties in the light, so it is better to avoid them in the summer.

If you have been prescribed topical or systemic retinoids in the form of ointments or tablets as a treatment, you need to use protective equipment and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.

There are products with retinoic acid ester, a granactive retinoid, that do not increase sensitivity to the sun. But non-commercial studies have not yet been conducted, so it is difficult to judge - this marketing gimmick or rescue in the summer.

Essential oils

They have photosensitizing properties, that is, they increase sensitivity to ultraviolet light and can cause burns. First of all, this applies to citrus oils, for example bergamotDrug-Induced Photosensitivity / Medscape or limePhytophotodermatitis/Medscape.

Therefore, before going to the beach, it is better to do without perfumed deodorant or perfume.

Other photosensitizers

To them relateDrug-Induced Photosensitivity / Medscape para-aminobenzoic acid, benzophenes, salicylates and cinnamates and other compounds that are part of cosmetics.

What are the procedures to be careful with?

It is better to transfer procedures that involve skin injury.

Chemical peel

Before and after even superficial peeling, it is better avoidChemical peel / Mayo Clinic sunburn, because the skin is very sensitive and dark spots may appear - areas hyperpigmentation.

The fact is that in the solutions that cosmetologists apply to the skin, there are more acids. Yes, and keep them on the face longer. Therefore, the damage will be deeper than from any home remedies.

laser resurfacing

During this rejuvenating treatment, the laser removesLaser resurfacing / Mayo Clinic the top layer of the skin and heats the underlying layers to stimulate cell growth and collagen production. Due to the fact that the skin is injured quite strongly, the risk of hyperpigmentation is even higher. Doctors do not recommend a lot of sun exposure two months before the session.

After laser resurfacing, you also need to take precautions, including protecting the skin from the sun. The timing will depend on the depth of the laser.

Injection procedures

Any "beauty injections" can also leadD. Funt, T. pavicic. Dermal fillers in aesthetics: an overview of adverse events and treatment approaches / Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology to darkening of the skin at the puncture sites. This is especially true for people with swarthy and dark skin. Therefore, before damaging procedures, it is also advisable to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and use sunscreen after them.