How To Care For Your Hair After The Pool Vs. Ocean, The Skincare Swap To Make If You Sleep With AC, And 14 Other Summer Beauty Problems, Solved
It's officially summer! Unfortunately, a lot of the fun things that take place during the warmer months — swimming in the pool or ocean, long days in the sun — can wreak havoc on your hair and skin.
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To understand how to best treat hair and skin this season, I consulted with several experts — including dermatologists, hairstylists, and skincare pros — for their best tips on combatting frizzy hair, oily skin, painful sunburns, and more.
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Here's some expert-approved advice on how to care for your skin and hair during the summer.
Hair:
1.Out of all of the different hair oils, two specific ones can really make a difference with frizz.
Paul Labrecque, creative director and master stylist at Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa, said two specific oils can really help with frizz in hot, humid weather. "Argan oil and prickly pear oil can both reduce frizz. Also, keep an eye out for non-alcohol and non-silicone products to help eliminate frizz while maintaining the health of your hair," he told BuzzFeed.
He says products with alcohol are very drying, and silicone-based products aren't healthy at all for your hair — they just coat your strands to make them feel and look healthy.
With Paul's advice in mind, here are some potential recommendations that came up in my research:
• The Ordinary, 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil, $6.80
• dae Prickly Pear Hair Oil, $36
2.If you already use a hydrating hair mask, remember to increase its frequency in the summer months. (Or, if you don't already use one, you may want to start.)
Regularly doing hair treatments like a smoothing hair mask helps replenish dry strands in the summer. Paul often uses the Olaplex No. 8 smoothing mask treatment on his clients. "I would advise doing this sort of treatment at least once a week," he said.
3.If you live in an area that gets very humid in the summer, there are certain things you can do to help eliminate frizz.
Paul recommends washing your hair less and ditching hair tools if your hair is frizz-prone and you live in a very humid climate. "I would recommend wearing your hair in a ponytail every second and third day to control frizz, and stop using heat tools because that only exasperates the problem," he said.
4.Before your next dip, remember that both chlorine and salt water are damaging to the hair.
"Both chlorine and salt water are corrosive to the hair, meaning they'll break down the strands, dry out your hair, and damage the cuticle," he told BuzzFeed.
5.Luckily, there are certain precautions you can take before you dip your hair in the pool or ocean.
"Before swimming — especially if you're blonde — saturate your strands with water and then apply conditioner," Paul told BuzzFeed.
"The conditioner will help your strands absorb less salt and chlorine. Then, put your hair in a ponytail. If you're really susceptible and swim a lot, I suggest wearing a swim cap to completely protect hair from the drying effects of the pool or ocean water," he continued.
6.If you do get your hair wet in the pool or ocean and haven't taken any precautions, you can still do damage control.
"At the beach or pool, bring large bottles of Evian water — or any spring water without any additives in it — and rinse your hair as soon as you get out of the water," Paul told BuzzFeed. Ultimately, he said the less time the chlorine or salt water sits on your hair, the better.
7.Keep in mind that your hair is also susceptible to damage from the sun, so look for products that will protect your strands.
Paul recommends looking for hair products with built-in sunscreen protection if you'll be outside in the sun for long periods of time because the sun can cause discoloration, dry strands, and frizz.
With Paul's advice in mind, here are some potential recommendations that came up in my research:
Skin:
8.Your summer skincare routine should ideally be kept simple — but be on the lookout for key ingredients when choosing your products.
"Whether it be summer, fall, winter, or spring, you should always have a great gentle cleanser, sunscreen, and moisturizer," Jordan Samuel Pacitti, esthetician and founder of Jordan Samuel Skin, told BuzzFeed.
"These three products create the base of an excellent routine. Glycerin, aloe vera, sodium hyaluronate, and allantoin are just a few ingredients that are light-but-moisturizing and perfect for summer use," he continued.
9.Vitamin C is another important product to incorporate into your summer skincare routine.
Dr. Michele Green, M.D., licensed New York-based cosmetic dermatologist, explained why: "Vitamin C — also known as ascorbic acid — is an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and protects against oxidative stress caused by the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can cause signs of premature aging."
Vitamin C also helps inhibit melanin production in the skin, thus brightening overall skin complexion, she said. "Often, those struggling with hyperpigmentation and melasma will notice that the pigmentation worsens during the summer when the sun is at its strongest and more time is spent outside in the sun," she continued.
"This is due to the ability of UV rays to stimulate melanin production in the skin. Incorporating vitamin C along with sunscreen can help combat the worsening of pigmentation in the summer," Dr. Green explained.
10.Contrary to what some say, you don't have to avoid using retinol in the summer.
"If you stick with a great cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF as your base, you can go about your routine as usual," Jordan told BuzzFeed.
"Though many people think they should cut their retinols out in summer, it’s actually better to remain consistent year-round, as consistency over time is what will yield the best results," he said.
"And as long as you are diligent about wearing your SPF and reapplying, you will be fine. The only thing I would personally not recommend is jumping up in strength or frequency in the middle of summer," Jordan added.
11.If you have extra oily skin in the summer, remember that you still need to moisturize.
"Although it seems counterintuitive, it is important to moisturize in the summer even if you have oily skin," explained Dr. Green.
"Avoiding moisturizers may temporarily relieve the oiliness, but eventually, your skin may produce more sebum to replace the lost moisture, leading to oilier skin. Seek moisturizers that are lightweight, oil-free, and non-comedogenic to avoid clogged pores that may cause acne breakouts," she added.
Dr. Green said those with oily skin should look for lightweight, water-based matte sunscreens. "This helps keep excess oil under control and prevents makeup from running off your face. Matte sunscreens also have lightweight formulas that allow your skin to breathe and stay non-greasy," she added.
With Dr. Green's advice in mind, here are some potential recommendations that came up in my research:
• Hawaiian Tropic Matte Effect Lotion Sunscreen, $10
12.Blasting the air conditioner can actually dry out your skin — so you may want to use a thicker moisturizer at night.
Depending on your skin type, Dr. Green suggests incorporating a more hydrating moisturizer into your nighttime skincare routine if you like to sleep in an air-conditioned room. "Air conditioning decreases humidity and can actually dry out your skin," she said.
13.If you're unsure what type of face makeup to use in the summer, it depends on your personal preference and skin type.
"Skin does not breathe the way our lungs inhale and exhale. So, this comes down to personal preference," Jordan said.
"If something is feeling too heavy for your skin, it is more than likely too heavy. A tinted moisturizer is a great option. [At the same time,] if your foundation is working for you, you can stick with that too," he told BuzzFeed. Ultimately, it's about paying attention to your skin and how it's reacting to what you put on it.
Dr. Green agreed: "Those with oily skin may experience increased oil production when the weather gets warmer. Because of this, it can be beneficial to switch to light and non-comedogenic makeup such as a tinted moisturizer."
"Combining two steps — moisturizer and foundation — into one product may also help reduce clogged pores in the summer when sebum production is increased," she told BuzzFeed.
"Some tinted moisturizers also contain SPF, which may be convenient but usually does not provide adequate sun protection alone," Dr. Green cautioned.
14.It's recommended to shower as soon as possible after swimming in chlorinated water.
"Chlorine is a chemical that is used in swimming pools to kill microbes and oxidize to eliminate organic matter in the water, such as algae. However, this organic matter also includes bodily sweat and oil," Dr. Green explained to BuzzFeed.
"This means that chlorine strips the natural oils from the skin, which leads to dry skin and even irritation if the skin is exposed to chlorinated water for a prolonged period of time," she continued. "It is recommended to shower as soon as possible after swimming in chlorine followed by a hydrating moisturizer."
Jordan added to that point by saying: "When showering, keep the temperature cooler and apply your moisturizers to slightly damp skin to help combat the dryness."
15.If you're curious, salt water is not as damaging to the skin as chlorine is, but it still comes with its own suggested aftercare.
"Saltwater contains antimicrobial properties and sterilizes the skin and may help minimize acne breakouts. The sea salt in salt water acts as an exfoliant, opening up pores to allow the water to seep in to remove toxins and buildup," explained Dr. Green.
"Saltwater also contains nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, and zinc that may help relieve some skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. However, saltwater can still be drying, so it is best to shower as soon as possible and use a moisturizer to restore the skin’s natural protective barrier," she said.
16.When it comes to treating sunburns, aloe vera is still the gold standard.
"Aloe vera has antioxidant and antibacterial properties that accelerate wound healing. Humectants in aloe vera bind moisture for hydrating while stimulating collagen and elastin fibers to increase the elasticity of the skin," explained Dr. Green.
Jordan added that if your sunburn is really serious, seek medical attention. "For at-home care, take cool showers, apply aloe vera or an aloe-based cream to slightly damp skin, and avoid any friction on the area like rubbing from your towel. Also, make sure to protect the skin with clothing while outdoors.
Overall, the experts said it's best to prevent sunburn from forming in the first place by avoiding prolonged sun exposure, wearing protective clothing outside, and applying sunscreen daily.
