There are some things I feel I can write about with some authority. Like, growing up in a small town, I feel I can capture that… I mean, I lived it. Or breast cancer, one girl’s story, I think that I can appropriately share that. And being a mama to three little boys… that I can do.
But skincare. That’s not my wheelhouse.
And with over a million things out there… new messaging and products every day… I found myself wanting to know recently how to care for an exploda-zit sitch that showed up with no RSVP. One that was ready to take on the world. And so I turned to the interwebs. And whoa. A lot of you know about skin. And have a lot of tried and true methods.
So when I decided I wanted to put together a post on summer skin, I decided I wanted a small sampling of real pros.
Here is the cast of pros {in alpha order}
|Anne Good Davidson of Garbo’s Salon at Village Pointe, Omaha, NE
|Joy Sakalosky of Moxie Salon, Omaha, NE
|Erin Stanley of Sculpt , Omaha, NE
I know. Aren’t they lovely?
And here’s what I asked them
I am in my 30s. The sun damage is already there. Even though a tan is amazing (and you all know I’m obsessed with sunscreen) it also seems to bring out my dark spots, freckles, and uneven appearance. It also, apparently, makes pimples appear due to humidity, AND probs extra drinking of alcohol. Soooo I’m asking you three experts… what are the things you tell women or help summer skin?
Anyone else feel me on this? Summer used to be a time where I felt like my skin just soaked up the sun and it was as simple as that. But now, that sun is wreaking havoc on my face and I want to take care of it more properly.
The experts weighed in to give their thoughts, not just for me but for you, too. And in case you’re curious, this is not a sponsored post. I have gotten to know each of these skin mavens and trust their knowledge.
Skin care is like health and fitness, 80% of your results come from home care, 20% from professional treatments. Just like what you eat everyday makes the biggest difference in weight loss vs going to the gym a few times a week… They are both great, but how you take care of your skin every day has a bigger impact than getting a facial every month… -Joy Sakalosky
|Summer skincare tips from the experts|
|Don’t skimp on the sunscreen
We see it over and over these days and Anne, Joy, and Erin… each of them EMPHATICALLY agree: sunscreen. Every day. 30 SPF or higher. Protect the skin you have right now.
Sunscreen. 30 SPF or higher to protect against future damage. -Erin Stanley
Also, don’t forget to reapply every hour when you’re in the sun for extended periods of time. So if you’re out on the boat or chillin’ by the pool, make sure you’re covered.
Remember, sunscreen is the best anti-aging product we have! -Anne Good Davidson
|Find your own skin whisperer
Are you aware that your LARGEST organ is your skin? Well. The largest exterior organ, anyway. For real. And yet, sometimes we act like taking care of it is fluffy and simply for vanity. But if you have to have skin cut into over and over to remove questionable moles {which I have}, or worse, you might start thinking differently. So just like the rest of your parts — find a doc or esthetician you trust to look over and consult with. And see that person regularly.
If you’re having specific problems, find an esthetician, PA, or dermatologist that you trust to help you. A lot of skincare is trial and error, especially when it comes to acne control. -Anne Good Davidson
Everyone’s skin is different. What works for one person, does not work for another. And who is better to help you with that than a person who knows the skin inside and out?
Choosing skin care can be overwhelming, and sometimes a little trial and error! That’s why I offer free consultations and even samples to clients to try before they buy. -Joy Sakalosky
Microneedling and dermaplane are great for most skin. But finding someone who knows your face is your best bet. – Erin Stanley
|Wash your face
Do you have a regular skincare routine? I have an honest to goodness truth. I don’t wash my face these days. Because I just don’t know what is the right thing for my face.
I did. For awhile, I washed like a champ. Before cancer I was super on point with the clarisonicking {pretty sure that’s a word} every day… morning and night. But now… well… menopause is here {yes. 35 year old menopause skin because cancer prevention is more important than my sex drive;)}. And I don’t know what I’m doing.
But washing your face is so stinkin’ important. And I need to get back to it.
Summer breakouts can be frustrating too. We sweat so much more and if you’re prone to breaking out it can be a problem. Make sure that you’re washing your face both morning and night (even after going out and coming home exhausted). -Anne Good Davidson
|Hands off approach
That zit that popped up without warning… I know you want to squeeze the living pus out of that sucker. But STOP. Hammertime. You can’t just go around poking the beast unless you want it to tell its friends about you.
I recommend washing your face as usual and dabbing a small amount of neosporin or antibacterial on your pimple. Don’t pop it. Acne is just bacteria. If you pop it and mess with it, you’ll have a neighbor soon even if the first one goes away. -Anne Good Davidson
|Use the right product for your skin
Whether you land on Aveda products like Anne uses, Obagi like Sculpt swears by, Image like Joy loves, or something completely different, remember that every person has different needs, wants, and considerations when it comes to their skincare and the regimen they choose. Just one more reason it’s great to consult with a person who knows skin instead of going into Target and throwing away $14.99 over and over again on something that your skin does not agree with.
Skin care products with hydroquinone are great in the summer – it’s a prescription based bleaching agent used to help hyperpigmentation. And dermaplaning will freshen up your face and open your pores for events. -Erin Stanley
I absolutley LOVE dermaplane/oxygen lift facials in the summer. This is a non-invasive treatment, yet you get great exfoliation, as well as getting rid of that pesky blonde peach fuzz that tends to glisten in the sun. The oxygen treatment leaves your skin renewed and glowy and is perfect for all skin types. – Joy Sakalosky
|Lighten up in the steamy summer months
If you live in a place that is hot or steamy for part of the year, the pros recommend changing up your go-to plan a bit for the summer months. This makes for less stuff sitting in your pores all day. And makes for less gunk to wash off at the end of the night.
I also like to skip the heavy foundation in the summer and go with a tinted moisturizer+correcting concealer+bronzer. -Joy Sakalosky
|Go natural when it works for you
When I was in for a fun facial experience and treatment in February called Pelleve, I asked the esthetician, Jessica, “What should I use to take off my eye makeup?” And you know what she said? Olive Oil.
I also asked Jessica what the best prevention for skin is. WATER. Drink. Water. And lots of it. Hydrate your body and water your skin, too.
I went into Anne recently for a facial when I had Mt. Vesuvius on my face and you know what she used on it? Electric current {yes. it was totally rad}.
From coconut oil to brown sugar, there are lots of things that occur in nature that you can use to better your skin. Some of that, like Olive Oil, can be worth a try in your home while others, like electric current, are great under the care of a professional.
|Fall into a fresh face
There are a lot of treatments and products that are great for skin once sun exposure is minimized. So hold off on lasers and peels during the hot summer sunbeam days. Chemical peels, lasers, and harsher treatments are really best once the summer sun has made way for fall. So save those go-tos for after the lake days and pool parties.
I recommend doing corrective treatments in the fall, after all the increased sun exposure. My personal favorite to combat sun damage is microdermabrasion treatments enhanced with chemical peels. Not only does it help break up and erase the hyper-pigmentation, it’s also very effective for aging, acne and dull, tired looking skin. -Joy Sakalosky
I must add that we would recommend IPL treatments and chemical peels after you plan on being out of the sun (i.e. The fall/after kids go back to school!). IPL laser treatments target sun spots and dark spots and help even out pigmentation. -Erin Stanley
If you are going to get a chemical peel, get it done by a professional and stay out of the sun afterwards for several days, or you’ll do more damage than good. -Anne Good Davidson
Honestly… my biggest takeaway from these pros is to go with someone you know. Find someone who to take a look at your face. Someone you trust. Someone who can tell you that your skin looks zapped or dull or oily {honestly… sometimes I can’t tell if a breakout happened because my skin is oily or dry?!}. Wear sunscreen. Wash your face. Drink water. And if you’re looking to get into a fresh skincare regimen {again, whether it be Obagi, R+F, Aveda, Mary Kay, Image, or something from WalMart} know that EVERY single person is different and it might take some guesswork to figure out your best bets.
If you have other question specific to YOUR skin, find a pro. And if nothing else, remember that as ages and seasons bring changes to skin, there are so many options to help you take care of your skin so it will stay with you for the long haul. Winter, spring, summer or fall…
