Quick fixes for summer's biggest skin problems

Summer is one of our favorite seasons, but let's be honest, it often brings a lot of skin care issues. The more time you spend outdoors, exposed to harmful UV rays, frequent shaving, sweating, and more, the more likely you are to deal with related skin problems, including acne, sunburn, shiny skin, and more. The good news is that there are solutions! To that end, we break down four common summer skincare challenges and the best ways to tackle them.     

Acne

Heat eventually produces sweat, which can mix with other contaminants on the skin's surface (including bacteria) and cause unwanted breakouts. The longer these contaminants linger on the skin, the more likely it is that stains will form. 

Decision: Regular cleansing of the skin can help remove sweat, dirt, and other impurities from the surface of the skin, helping to minimize the chance of acne. Especially during the summer, when we rigorously apply sunscreen, it is important to have a cleanser on hand, such as AcneFree Oil-Free Acne Cleanser- which can cope with the task of thoroughly cleansing the skin of dirt, soot and product residue. For unwanted blemishes, apply a little benzoyl peroxide spot on the area to keep it under control if your skin is not sensitive to the formula. 

Tan

You may have been incredibly diligent in applying sunscreen, but your skin still burned. Now what? Don't panic - it happens! Because broad-spectrum sunscreen alone cannot provide complete UV protection, avoiding sunburn can be difficult, especially if you haven't taken other sun protection measures such as finding shade, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding peak sun hours.

Decision: Planning to spend a significant amount of time outdoors? Protect from the sun by applying (and reapplying) a waterproof, broad-spectrum SPF 15 or higher. Bring UV-protective sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and protective clothing to protect your skin as much as possible. To take care of your skin after a sunburn, use products containing aloe vera to cool and refresh. For extra cooling, store aloe vera gel in the refrigerator.

Ingrown hair

An ingrown hair occurs when shaved or plucked hair grows back into the skin. Result? Anything for inflammation, pain, irritation, or tiny bumps in the area where the hair was removed. In summer, when swimsuits and short sundresses are preferred, many people are more likely to remove unwanted hair, which increases the likelihood of ingrown hairs.

Decision: Ingrown hairs often go away without intervention, but you can avoid them by not removing the hair in the first place. If this is not an option, opt for other hair removal methods other than shaving, plucking, or waxing, which are most commonly associated with ingrown hairs. 

Dryness

Dry skin is a condition that many face all year round, including in the summer. Between hot showers, sun exposure, and chlorinated pools, the skin on our faces and bodies can quickly lose moisture. To keep your skin hydrated and dry, be sure to moisturize daily from head to toe. Help lock in moisture by applying creams, lotions, and ointments to damp skin after cleansing and showering.