As we slowly unravel from winter's cocoon, it's time for a head-to-toe spring skin cleanup.
By Mona Gohara, MD, Fitness Magazine
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The Face
Let's start at the top: your face. One of the biggest culprits of wrinkles, sags, and an uneven complexion is unprotected exposure to UV rays. Your first step? Make SPF your BFF. I tell my patients that choosing the right sunscreen is like choosing the right partner. If you grab the first one that looks good and smells good, the relationship may be short lived. If you get to know the product, and do your research to make sure it's compatible with your lifestyle, then, it's more likely to be the perfect match. There are sunscreen lotions, creams, sprays, sticks, and (my favorite) powders. Whichever formulation you go for, remember the key is to use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and reapply every two hours. For golfers, that means reapplying at the ninth hole.
Summer Skin Saver: Colorescience SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Powder (dermstore.com)
Summer Skin Saver: Colorescience SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Powder (dermstore.com)
Back It Up
All of that work to tighten, tone, and trim as the warm weather approaches can lead to bacne. Friction from sports bras and long sweaty workouts set you up for blemishes. Solution: Use a salicylic acid wash in the shower to get tank top ready.
Summer Skin Saver: Glycolix Gly/Sal 5-2 Acne Medicated Cleanser (dermstore.com)
The added exfoliative benefit of glycolic acid makes this a good bet!
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Summer Skin Saver: Glycolix Gly/Sal 5-2 Acne Medicated Cleanser (dermstore.com)
The added exfoliative benefit of glycolic acid makes this a good bet!
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Perfect Pits
Believe it or not, underarm skin can be a source of stress when it comes to dermatologic concerns. Discoloration, excessive sweating, and textural changes are often at the top of the list. Look for products that go the extra mile, beyond odor and wetness prevention. Soothing and moisturizing deodorants can protect and give softer, smoother underarms.
Summer Skin Saver: Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant (drugstore.com)
Summer Skin Saver: Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant (drugstore.com)
Head, Shoulders...Now Knees?
I am definitely guilty of forgetting about my knees. I wash and moisturize them, but exfoliate? Who has the time? Well, when I put on shorter clothes, I wish I had given them more love. Elbows and knees are the most likely to retain some of the over 50 million skin cells we shed each day. Dull, coarse, thickened skin results. To turn things around, use a cream with alpha-hydroxy acid after the shower and before bed. This softens effectively in a cosmetically elegant way.
Summer Skin Saver: Lac-Hydrin Cream (drugstore.com)
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Summer Skin Saver: Lac-Hydrin Cream (drugstore.com)
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Bumps Be Gone
Razor bumps: the bane of the beach existence. The technical term for this ever-so-annoying condition is folliculitis. When the skin around the hair gets irritated from shaving, it inflames and causes a little bump around the follicle. It can be not only cosmetically problematic but also painful. There are many steps that one can take to avoid this scenario. First, make sure to lubricate the skin with a good, hydrating shaving cream. Use a liberal amount. Next, shave with the grain of the hair, not against it, and use a razor with one or two blades. If the issue remains, your dermatologist may recommend a topical antibiotic solution as an anti-inflammatory or even a cortisone cream intended for limited use.
Flip-Flop Ready Feet
Here's the secret to beautiful feet: scrub, soak, smear. The scrub part is easy, I call this "Home Depot Dermatology." I know it sounds crazy, just stick with me. One of the best and cheapest exfoliators for those dry heels is fine-grit sandpaper from the hardware store! Just a bit goes a long way. Cut out a small square and use it with circular, gentle motions. You'll see your feet soften in days. If you have cracks, superglue works perfectly to bond them. Next, it's time to soak. A warm foot bath with Epsom salts affords so many benefits. Those loosened dead skin cells will float away—leading to smoothness—and the salts are certainly relaxing as well. Lastly, smear on a peppermint foot cream to hydrate and ward off odor.
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Summer Skin Saver: Theraplex FT Peppermint Exfoliating Emollient (theraplex.com)
One last thing: If you get pedicures, make sure to avoid cuticle-cutting. Cuticles are important—they protect against bacteria. If you want to avoid yellow nails, choose light and bright colors. Those dark, deeper shades are more likely to discolor. If it's too late and you need a little nail brightener, buff out the yellow with a smidge of whitening toothpaste.
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Summer Skin Saver: Theraplex FT Peppermint Exfoliating Emollient (theraplex.com)
One last thing: If you get pedicures, make sure to avoid cuticle-cutting. Cuticles are important—they protect against bacteria. If you want to avoid yellow nails, choose light and bright colors. Those dark, deeper shades are more likely to discolor. If it's too late and you need a little nail brightener, buff out the yellow with a smidge of whitening toothpaste.
