Summer Skin Care
Concern: What should I do to protect my skin from the damaging effects of the sun?
Advice: The effects of sun damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to premature aging, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and of course, skin cancer. The most important thing that you can do for your skin is to protect it from the harmful effects of sun and environmental damage.
It is important to use a sunblock that has either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as it's active ingredient because both provide broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection. During the summer, it is also important to invest in water-resistant sunblock such as SkinCeuticals' sweat and water resistant Active UV Defense.
Because no sunblock offers 100% sun protection, use of antioxidants are extremely beneficial in protecting your skin against UV rays. Topical antioxidants such as SkinCeuticals' super-antioxidants Phloretin CF and CE Ferulic, have been shown to provide up to eight times the skin's natural protection from UV damage. Antioxidants protect your skin from the sun in ways that sunblocks cannot. When used together, antioxidants and sunblocks provide almost complete photoprotection - preventing photoaging, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and promoting good skin health.
Concern: Because of the summer heat and the increase in sweating, my skin always looks shiny.
Advice: There are several products that provide great shine control. My favorite products are:
Absense SPF 15 from Jane Iredale: This product should be worn on top of sunblock and under makeup. Absense helps to control summer's notorious over-active sebaceous glands and helps your makeup stay on longer and keeps your skin shine-free. An added bonus is that this product contains broad spectrum sun protection and is non-comedogenic (will not clog your pores).
OC-Eight: a professional matifying gel which controls shine while evening your skin tone. OC-Eight works by continuously absorbing excess oil without compromising your skin's natural moisture. OC-Eight should be applied after sunblock and before makeup.
Concern: The excess sweating from the summer heat causes me to have more acne breakouts.
Advice: One of the best Acne fighting products is the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush, which works by oscillating at a rate of over 300 times per second to remove makeup, dirt and oil. The clarisonic has been shown to remove 6 times more makeup, dirt and debris than manually cleansing.
In addition to using the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush, NeoBenze Micro, available by prescription from U Boutique and Med Spa is recommended to clear up Acne. NeoBenze Micro contains benzoyl peroxide, which stays on the skin for twelve hours and continuously fights P. acnes, the bacterium that is responsible for causing acne lesions.
If you are not using 100% mineral makeup and you have problems with acne, you MUST make the switch. 100% mineral makeup, such as Jane Iredale, is light but offers complete coverage. Jane Iredale contains no talc or parabens, does not block pores, and is anti-inflammatory (calms and soothes irritated skin).
Take your summer acne fighting a step further and try our medical grade Acne Facial which includes a deep cleansing for congested pores and a medicated detoxifying mask to calm acne and to reduce redness.
Have a question for Desiree? Email her at desiree@umedspa.com
(The topics discussed above are not intended to provide medical advice)
U. Boutique & Med Spa at The Shops at Legacy
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5717 Legacy Drive Suite 170 | p. 972.943.UMED(8633) | f. 972.943.8634 | u@umedspa.com