Being first and foremost girls, and second dermatologists, skincare and sun protection are very near and dear to our hearts. We love taking good care of our skin and want to share some pointers with you.

You should wear sunscreen daily, especially on your beautiful face! Even if you feel you are “indoors” most of the day, you are still getting sun while walking to and from your house and being outside at school—and you’re even getting sun through windows. We recommend using sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 30. The SPF advertised on your makeup bottle does not really count towards SPF as it often needs to be caked on to work as a sunscreen. Sunscreen can be worn underneath your makeup like a moisturizer.

Do you think it’s possible to get sunburned on a cloudy, overcast day? YES! It is a common myth that the clouds protect us from the sun. The reality is that clouds do not filter all harmful ultraviolet rays, so it’s important to wear sunscreen every day. It is also important to wear sunscreen if you have dark skin. Darker skin tones contain more melanin, which is the material that creates pigment in the skin, but it only protects a little from the sun (about the same amount as an SPF 13 sunscreen).

SUNSCREEN FOR YOUR FACE

Some of our favorites for everyday use are CeraVe AM, Blue Lizard Sensitive, and EltaMD UV Clear. These are not greasy, are safe for those with sensitive skin, blend well with all skin colors, and should not clog your pores. However, if you are planning on outdoor activity, such as swimming, sporting, or beaching, you will need sunscreen that says WATER-RESISTANT on the bottle. Heads-up: water-resistant sunscreens tend to be thicker and appear a little whiter than your everyday facial sunscreen.

SUNSCREEN FOR YOUR BODY

For outdoor activities, Equate Ultra Protection SPF 50 and Coppertone Ultra Guard SPF 70 performed well in the yearly Consumer Reports sunscreen testing. With chemical SPF, these products usually rub in well, no matter your skin tone, but they may not be suitable if your skin is very sensitive. EltaMD UV Pure is our favorite for those who are very sensitive because it contains no chemical blockers and no fragrance, but it can be a bit chalky on the skin.

NATURAL VS. CHEMICAL

There are two major types of sunscreen, physical blockers and chemical blockers.

Physical blockers (like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) work instantly and we prefer them because most people don’t wait to go outside after they put on their sunscreen. Some people also prefer physical blockers because they are considered more natural since they are made from minerals in the earth. Physical sunscreens are also usually safe for people with sensitive skin.

Chemical blockers (such as avobenzone and oxybenzone) need to sit on the skin for around 30 minutes to be absorbed and activated. However, chemical sunscreens usually rub in more easily and will not look as ashy or grey on the skin.

HOW MUCH AND HOW OFTEN?

It should take about one ounce of sunscreen, or the size of a golf ball, to cover your entire body. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied at least every two hours while you’re in the sun, and more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating.

OTHER FORMS OF PROTECTION

NEVER use tanning booths and tanning beds. These are now illegal for minors in Louisiana because they are proven to greatly increase your risk for melanoma—a potentially deadly form of skin cancer. In 2014, Louisiana became the eighth state in the country to protect its minors from skin cancer!

Look for products that say “fragrance free” since fragrance can irritate your skin and make dryness worse! All those Bath & Body Works soaps are nice to smell but not good for your skin.

SUMMER ACNE BREAKOUTS?

Some easy, accessible ingredients to try over the counter to put a stop to summer acne breakouts are benzol peroxide and salicylic acid. We like these in face washes and also in leave-on formulations like creams and lotions. Just remember to be patient and only start with one product! It takes about 4-6 weeks to see results from acne medicine. We often see patients who want quick results, so they use too many different products too frequently and end up with irritation, itchy rashes, and skin that does not heal properly. If you are still having breakouts, or notice any scarring, please make an appointment with a dermatologist. We can offer prescription medicines, tools, and tricks to help!

DRY OR ASHY SKIN?

Does your skin look dry or “ashy” during the summer? This can be caused by mild eczema, too much sun and swimming, or by using skin products that are too harsh for your skin. We prefer “non-soap” cleansers like Dove or Cetaphil for bathing. Soaps can degrease your skin, giving it that “squeaky clean” feeling but causing dryness. It’s important to moisturize your skin daily, best after your bath or shower because it will lock in more moisture. Our favorite moisturizers for dry or ashy skin are CeraVe Cream and Vanicream.

The authors practice at Pure Dermatology in Metairie, which Dr. Holcomb founded to help patients maintain their pure beauty and skin health. Both Dr. Holcomb and Dr. Haseltine received their master’s degrees in public health and their medical degrees from Tulane University. As president of the Louisiana Dermatological Society, Dr. Haseltine was instrumental in helping to pass the bill that made minors’ use of tanning beds and booths illegal in Louisiana.

We hope you enjoyed our summer skin care tips. If you have any questions, you can email us at info@PureDermNola.com

Feature photo by Kelly Yu