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The Expert Guide to Shine-Free Skin This Summer

Makeup artists and dermatologists share their best tips for keeping skin looking fresh and oil-free all summer long
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Don't skimp on the moisturizer
We tend to only associate dry skin with the winter months, however, spending time in the pool and air conditioning can actually dry out your skin in the summer. For this reason, Schlessinger urges his patients not to forget moisturizer—even if you're prone to oily skin. If you're worried about slathering on something too heavy, opt for a lightweight summer solution such as SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator, $120. "It's great for more humid and hot summer weather," says Dr. Melanie Palm, MD, dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at the Art of Skin in San Diego, California. "The 5 different types of hyaluronic acid helps hydrate skin without making it sticky or feeling like it is unable to 'breathe.'"

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Fight discoloration with skin-brightening products
Any time spent in the sun can make current melasma (brown spots on your skin) more noticeable, as well as create new dark spots down the road, warns Schlessinger. While wearing sunscreen and a hat for protection is key, there are also products to help control it as well. "The new SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense, $98, is a great option because it includes kojic acid, tranexamic acid and other lightening ingredients to help fade the look of brown spots," he says. "Again, be sure to always wear sunscreen over the top of products like these to further protect the skin and to help maintain lightening results."

Another great product to help fight brown spots caused by sun damage is SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum, $154. "The light preparation is perfect for summer skin while the active ingredients, including tranexamic acid, phytic acid, niacinamide, phenylethyl resorcinol and marine extract blend, help hit multiple facets of pigment production, breakdown and skin barrier protection," says Palm.

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Treat sunburns, stat
Even with the most attentive sun care protection, it's quite possible that you might wind up with a sunburn during the warmer months. If you end up red and blotchy, the first thing you'll want to do is get out of the sun as soon as possible. Next, Hillary Kline, a Minneapolis-based makeup artist, recommends rubbing some hydrocortisone ointment on the burn followed by aloe vera on the sunburn, however, be sure to use a brand that does not contain alcohol, as this could irritate the skin even more.

When it comes to choosing makeup products to cover up a sunburn, she recommends looking for brands of foundation specifically formulated for covering redness, such as It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Neutralizing Correcting Cream, $32, or Dermablend Cover Creme Full Coverage Foundation, $29.25. "Find products that are gentle, hypoallergenic and non-irritating, but also will cover some of the redness," she adds. "You can also use a green concealer stick, such as Cover FX Correct Click Color Corrector, $18, to help with some of the redness, too."

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Add in antioxidants
Given the increased exposure to the sun's harmful rays, one of the best types of ingredients for combating the daily UV assault is antioxidants. "Vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea, resveratrol, coffee and berry are just a few of the endless list of ingredients that may help ward off UV-induced skin damage," says Palm. She recommends arming your skin with antioxidants both topically and internally through the use of supplements. "Heliocare Ultra Sun Protection Pills, $60, is a potent oral antioxidant supplement derived from a fern plant called Leucotomas polypodium that provides added UVA protection," she says. Topically, her go-to antioxidant is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, $166, which contains vitamin C in a highly active form, but also vitamin E, which acts synergistically with vitamin C. "This provides antioxidant protection, pro-collagen stimulation and pigmentation-fighting power for summer skin," she says.

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Don't forget to wash your face at night
You should be washing your face twice daily at minimum, but the time of day that's undoubtedly most important is at night. Your skin has just gone through a day's worth of sweating and collecting dirt and grime from the environment, not to mention makeup has been sitting on the skin's surface and inside each pore. "That extra oil with sunscreen and makeup will cause some major clogging," warns Ulla Gaudin, makeup artist and hairstylist. She recommends using a gentle cleanser formulated for everyday use, such as Philosophy's Purity Made Simple One Step Facial Cleanser, $24.

BY JENN SINRICH | MAY 8, 2018 | SHARES
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