Say Goodbye to Summer with These 7 Skincare Tips

Sadly, as the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, our skin can become as dry and lackluster as the February air. Oh summer glow, please don’t go! We know you love the sun, but, as cold weather season begins, you don’t need to go into hibernation or hide away inside! If the summer sun has left you with sun damage, you can get ahead of the game by prepping your skin for the months ahead. So, go ahead and try to bring us down, Old Man Winter! You’re no match for my Top 7 Post-Summer Skincare Tips.

1. Address the issue.

So, you’ve been slacking on the sunblock again? Well, now it’s time to face the music. While you cannot undo the ravages of the sun, you can get rid of the freckled and blotchy skin left behind. Break out those products that target excess pigment, exfoliants, and skin lightening agents. We recommend our Lighten Up 8 Clarifying Serum/Lighten Up 15 Clarifying Serum and our retinol-packed VitA Serum! If you’re impatient and want a quick fix, take advantage of a few Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments.

2. Shed some cells.

Exfoliating is key. The summer sun, chlorine, and sunscreens can leave your skin dry and flaky. My skin always feels a tad rough- like I can’t quite cut through that last bit of sunscreen residue. Perform a full body exfoliation from head to toe- being extra gentle on your face. In order to properly hydrate your skin and get optimal performance from your products, you need to remove all those built-up dead skin cells, so get scrubbing! Pair our Refining Micro Buff with our Lighten Up 8 Clarifying Serum for a serious sloughing! We also love the Face Editor Corrective Pads for daily exfoliation and brightening.

3. Moisturize.

As the humid summer air dries out and temperatures plunge, your skin needs lots more moisture. Ditch the ultralight lotions, and break out those rich, buttery creams. Creams provide a stronger barrier thereby preventing water loss and enhancing hydration. And, don’t forget to treat your entire body- not just your face; pay special attention to your neck, decolletage, hands, knees, and elbows. Our Crema Firma Body Butter is perfect for the dry, winter months ahead!

4. Treat acne NOW.

Sometimes, even acne needs a vacation. It isn’t unheard of to enjoy less frequent breakouts during the summer months, but, sadly, the party won’t last long. The change of season tends to make acne-prone skin go a little crazy. Make sure you stay ahead of the game by recharging your skin care routine. By the end of August, you should be back on schedule regardless of whether your acne has returned. For our severe acne clients, I recommend using our full breakout-busting line, but any of our products are solidly effective alone: Clarifying Cleanser, All Clear 5 Acne Clearing Booster, All Clear 10 Acne Clearing Booster, Beta Boost BHA Toner, Aha! AHA Toner, Clarifying Micro Buff.

5. Step down your sunscreen.

September and October still have plenty of very sunny days, but it’s safe for you to decrease your SPF to 30. Even though summer is over, keep in mind that you can still get burned. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, once November rolls around, it’s safe to switch to an SPF of 15…as for me, I’ll keep wearing an SPF 30. (Why take chances?)

6. See your dermatologist.

We know you love your aesthetician, but annual dermatology appointments maintain the health of your skin and save lives! I recommend scheduling a yearly dermatology visit…and while you’re at it, schedule your annual physical! Your greatest wealth is your health!

7. See your aesthetician.

If you’re one of my clients, you know that the end of summer is when we “de-schmutz” your skin. A true, fresh start means taking inventory of your products and reviewing your skin goals for the upcoming months. If you’re planning on getting laser treatments, October is my favorite time to start! (I, personally, laser my arms every October to get rid of all those summer freckles and sunspots.)

When you make an initial appointment, bring in your products, so we can review them together. It’s important that you’re using them properly and that your regimen isn’t missing any of these essential ingredients for ageless skin.

Although I am always dreadfully sad to see summer go, I plan on making the best of the next nine, long months. In addition to shaking up my own skin care routine with these post-summer tips, I plan on eating more healthfully, working out regularly, managing my time better, and having a bit more fun this winter!

Only 286 days until summer!