Summer’s already well underway, and with restrictions being slowly lifted, it means many of us are getting ready for a fun season under the sun! On the flip side, it also means increased sun exposure while also masking it up for some. So, what does this mean for your skin?
As most people know, acne is often a complex and long term condition, but the summertime heat and humidity (thank goodness the heatwave is over) often leads to excess sweating. Add to the fact that many folks are wearing masks due to workplace safety plans, it can definitely contribute to an increase in breakouts.
Get a good sunscreen
For the summer time, we definitely recommend something that is lightweight and won’t clog your pores. A great option is the Vivier Sheer Sunscreen. It’s a lightweight, oil & alcohol-free sunscreen that provides broad spectrum SPF45 protection that not only absorbs quickly, but also has a sheer, matte finish. It contains both chemical and physical UV filters such as Zinc Oxide and Octinoxate. Plus, you can also use it under makeup since it leaves no residue. You can read up more about the importance of sunscreen in Dr. Ngai’s post here. Remember to reapply it every 2 hours to ensure your skin is protected from the sun!
Consider some lightweight serums
There are a myriad of serums out there that can serve multiple purposes at once, but two of our staff favourites are the Green Tea Serum and the C-Stem Serum, both from Cosmedical Technologies for differing reasons:
The Green Tea Serum is a soothing, lightweight serum that contains 5% green tea with 98% polyphenols as well as Vitamin E and hyaluronic acid. There’s been research that suggests tea polyphenols can have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties that can aid in reducing sebum production in the skin. Another great thing about this serum is it’s mattifying finish - which, by the way, you can get away with using as a primer - which is fantastic for those with oily skin during the summertime!
Similar to the Green Tea Serum, the C-Stem Serum also helps to encourage a decrease in inflammation and breakouts, but through the use of lilac stem cells. This serum also includes Vitamin C, an antioxidant that is widely recommended by dermatologists for its ability to help with photodamage and skin brightening. Make sure to always pair any serums containing Vitamin C with sun protection, like the Vivier Sheer Sunscreen we mentioned earlier!
And lastly, for those who want a little extra oomph - consider Aqualift™
It’s a procedure that Dr. Ngai has actually written about it previously and you can read up on it here - but in summary, the goal of this procedure is to deposit hyaluronic acid into the dermis. By doing so, it helps to improve skin texture and appearance, leading not only to brighter skin, but also an improvement in pore size and tightening. In fact, we stand by this so much it’s currently one of our summer promotions - so if you’re interested, make sure to call us for more details!
And that’s it! Our top staff picks to give you that summer glow while also giving your skin some TLC. As we gradually return to normal after an extraordinary 2020, remember to stay safe and not let those summer days drift away!
Sources
Sies H., Stahl W. Nutritional protection against skin damage from sunlight. Annu. Rev. Nutr. 2004;24:173–200. doi: 10.1146/annurev.nutr.24.012003.132320. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
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Price, C. An in-depth look at lilac stem cell extract in skin care. Pract. Dermatol. 2014, 5, 46–48. [Google Scholar]
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