Dr. Riham Ashoush M.D.
Consultant of Dermatology, Laser & Cosmetology
National Research Center, Cairo
Katameya Clinic Hospital
INDERM Skin Clinic
Heliopolis – New Cairo
01019777719
Skin is the mirror of the general health of your body, and having a bright skin is the dream of all women. However, during the Summer, skin tends to get dehydrated quicker than usual. Hot weather and a lack of fluids, can cause dryness especially in the region around the nose and mouth, lips crack and black halos appear around the eye.
As a Dermatologist, I’m always asked about how to keep my skin healthy during Summer. Check out these seven tips to keep your skin radiant in Summer:
1- Cleanliness:
The first step of the skin care is cleaning, we must avoid cleansers that contain soap which may lead to severe skin dryness and sensitivity. In Summer, it is preferable to choose soap free cleansers that contain moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin or paraffin to help keeping the water inside the skin.
It is preferable to use cleansers twice daily.
2- Peeling:
Peeling is important for both dry and oily skin. For dry skin, it removes dead skin cell making your skin smooth and shiny. While for oily skin, it reduces oily layer, blackheads and impurities that clog the pores, leading to appearance of acne. It also plays an important role in reducing wrinkles and brown spots.
The peeling creams often contain alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) which is a group of fruit acids including glycolic acid, citric acid and lactic acid. Glycolic acid is the most commonly used and it works by breaking the bonds that connect the dead and dry cells to the skin surface. It also moisturizes the skin and stimulates the production of collagen inside it, so it is used in creams and moisturizers. It is not preferable to use harsh scrubs as they may damage new cells.
Use peeling creams once or twice a week.
3- Toner:
It is used daily after cleanser to remove the residue of the cleanser and make up. It acts as pore astringent and also moisturizes the skin. You must make sure that Toner is alcohol-free. Rose water can be also used as a natural toner to your skin.
4- Moisturizers:
The most important tip is choosing the suitable moisturizer according to your skin type! Normally, skin loses about half a liter of water per day and of course the effect of this loss is much more in Summer.
Moisturizers are important for all types of skin even oily skin! since most preparations used to reduce skin oiliness and treat acne lead to dry skin. The composition of moisturizing cream varies depending on the type of skin. In the case of oily skin, make sure that the product is completely free of oils and does not cause the emergence of acne (Noncomedogenic) and does not cause allergy (Hypoallergic).
During Summer, I would recommend to choose the moisturizers containing Sorbitol, Glycerine, alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and Panthenol. If you have dry skin, look for Beewax and Urea in the ingredients of your moisturizer as they help in removal of superficial dead cells.
Moisturizers containing antioxidants and vitamins such as vitamin A and C are recommended as they protect your skin from the harmful effects of free radicals and regenerate new healthy skin cells. It is also preferred to use of creams containing Manganese which improves blood circulation of the skin and thus helps it to shine.
Lips in the summer dry and crack, which leads to injuries and bleeding in some cases, so you should use lip moisturizer several times a day. The lip moisturizer consists of beeswax, Vaseline or cocoa butter. Zinc-containing types (Zinc Oxide) are preferred as they provide protection from the sun as well.
The skin moisturizers are used twice a day after cleaning.
5- Sunblock:
The sun protection is important throughout the year but is becoming increasingly important in Summer “Skin that lacks fluid is more affected by the sun”. Sunscreen is available in the form of cream, lotion, gel, liquid or sprays, and is generally made up of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. It is recommended to use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and for oily skin it should be oil free.
6- Around the eyes:
Black halos under the eyes increase during the Summer due to dehydration and lack of sleep hours. Skin around the eyes is the thinnest throughout your body as the fat layer located under the skin in this area is very thin, and it grows thinner with age. Being thin, the capillaries become more visible, which increases the dark color in this area. Also, the presence of bulges under the eye adds to the appearance of these halos. This area needs special attention due to its extreme sensitivity. It is preferable to use gel preparations that contain antioxidants such as vitamin C and Retinol (help to renew cells and reduce fine lines) and Vitamin K which strengthen the wall of capillaries reducing the appearance of black halos.
7- Water, Water, Water:
It is essential to drink plenty of water to prevent your body and skin from dehydration, especially during Summer. Water also helps preserve your skin’s elasticity and protects you against the early appearance of wrinkles.
Drink as much as 8 glasses per day.
Good to Remember
Don’t forget to include fresh fruits and vegetables as they are rich in vitamins and minerals and are required for keeping your skin healthy and hydrated.
Last but not Least, don’t forget to ask your dermatologist about the skin boosters that compensate the dehydration that happens to your skin with aging and especially in the summer. Giving you Glow & Radiant skin!