Summer is officially glow season, but some of your favorite warm-weather habits could actually be sabotaging your skin.
To find out what not to do this summer, ET caught up with celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. John Layke, who shared the biggest skincare mistakes he sees during the hottest months of the year and how to avoid them.
First up: Overdoing it with heavy active ingredients.
“During the peak summer months, skin is more sensitive to the sun when using retinol, so decrease the frequency of usage to 3 days per week and ensure multiple reapplications of sunscreen,” Layke says.
But that doesn’t mean you should break up with retinol altogether just because the sun is out. Layke recommends reaching for the ProRetinol Age Rewind from his Beverly Hills MD line with Dr. Payman Danielpour to help maintain a smooth complexion.
“It helps increase cellular turnover, leading to fresher, healthier skin,” the Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group doctor explains.
And while everyone loves a good serum, sunscreen like his brand’s Sheer Radiance SPF Drops remains the foundation of any summertime skincare routine.
“Appropriate sunscreens, which contain protective actives like zinc oxide can mechanically protect the skin from overexposure of UV rays, especially when using a retinol. … Some of the biggest mistakes I see is the lack of reapplication when being in the sun, especially during peak hours of 10am and 2pm, when UV rays are strongest,” he explains.
And if you’ve been putting off a laser treatment until fall, you may not have to.
“As long as people are aware that protecting the skin is paramount, microneedling or laser resurfacing can be done at any time of the year. This means no direct exposure for 6 weeks following the treatment to avoid any untoward hyperpigmentation that may occur in the healing skin,” he notes.
For those seeking an instant refresh, Layke points to HydraFacials as a seasonal favorite.
“It will improve the texture of the skin temporarily and leave a noticeable glow.”
If you’re seeking something beyond a quick glow-up, Botox remains a popular option year-round, though summer plans may impact the longevity of your results.
“This is related to the increase in outdoor physical activity, which has been shown to decrease the longevity of neurotoxins due to an increase in the metabolism of this purified protein.”
But before you head inside after a day at the beach or pool, don’t forget one simple step: rinse off.
“Excess chlorine exposure in a pool, or salt exposure to the skin can cause irritation and dryness. Make sure to rinse soon after swimming to avoid.”
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