As the temperatures rise and days get longer, it is essential to remember the importance of skincare and sun protection. Dermatologists stress that we protect our skin barrier (the outermost layer of our skin) with ample hydration, through drinking enough water and wearing sunscreen daily.
Unfortunately, there are two common (and easy to make) summer mistakes that weaken our skin barrier, as doctors tell us. These include not wearing enough sunscreen or drinking enough water. These errors can lead to dryness, irritation, and other unwanted skin conditions.
Read on for important tips, suggestions and insight from Dr. Anna Chacon, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and writer for My Psoriasis Team, Dr. Elaine F. Kung, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Future Bright Dermatology, and Dr. Enrizza P. Factor, dermatologist and writer at My Eczema Team.
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Two Common Summer Errors That Damage Your Skin Barrier
1. Not Wearing Enough (Or Any) Sunscreen
The first and most crucial mistake when it comes to skincare, Chacon says, is staying out in the sun without sunscreen, or with some, but not enough, applied. As we age, our skin and its barrier become more delicate.
The layers naturally lose moisture, she points out. Staying out in the hot sunlight without any protection can lead to faster aging, premature wrinkling and the development of dark spots. "Definitely the biggest mistake that people can make when it comes to their skin is too much exposure to sunlight," Chacon says.
"This is a single biggest culprit when it comes to faster aging." she adds, as well as a damaged skin barrier. Your skin is composed of layers, she says, and the skin barrier is also called the stratum corneum.
"Over time, exposure to the sun's ultraviolet light damages certain fibers in the skin barrier, including collagen and elastin," Chacon adds. These proteins help keep skin looking supple and tighter. "The avoidance of sunscreen is one of the biggest missteps that people can make when caring for their skin and in their daily routine," Chacon stresses.
To avoid this, Chacon recommends "simplifying your skincare regimen," and "prioritizing sun protection." She recommends "carrying sunscreen in your purse" to avoid forgetting to apply it. "Always have sunscreen ready, as this is extremely important," she continues.
In addition, she suggests wearing a wide-brim hat when out in the sun for prolonged periods of time and also making sure your sunglasses have UV protection.
As for what kind of sunscreen to choose, Chacon advises grabbing a mineral kind, especially if dark spots are a concern. "In general, mineral sunscreens are better, compared to the chemical ones, if you are dealing with dark spots or hyperpigmentation," she says. A "broad-spectrum sunscreen" with an SPF of 30 or higher is ideal.
"This is because chemical sunscreens may trigger hyperpigmentation since they absorb UV and transform it to heat. This means heat will be released to the skin, and heat is a very known trigger of melasma and hyperpigmentation," she adds.
Ultimately, it is best to use "mineral or physical sunscreens to prevent dark spots" and to strengthen your skin barrier. Regarding other skincare products to look out for, Kung says to always use vitamin C serum after cleansing your face in the morning and before applying sunscreen. At night, she says to use hyaluronic acid before moisturizer.
The following skincare ingredients help "the skin restore its barrier," she notes: "ceramides, soybean oil and sunflower oil." These "improve moisture retention in the skin, and help restore the skin barrier."
When choosing a moisturizer or cream, Kung recommends selecting one with these ingredients, and to visit your dermatologist for personalized product recommendations for your exact skin needs.
2. Not Drinking Enough Water
While you've probably already been told to drink eight glasses of water per day, this is even more vital to do in the summertime, Factor says. While hydrating with spring water throughout the day can do wonders for your diet and general health, Factor notes that many notice differences in their skin after focusing on drinking more water.
These can include a more radiant glow, less acne or dry spots, etc.
When combining a hydrating skincare regimen with ample drinking water throughout the day, your skin barrier will become stronger, Factor assures. "Water is the most important nutrient we consume," she explains.
"The human body is anywhere from 55 to 75 percent water. Without water, we could not survive. It is recommended that people drink 8 glasses of water a day."
Factor adds that "through the skin's process of sweating, the water we drink helps to cool our bodies in warm weather." When the body gets too warm, she goes on, "water seeps out through the sweat pores of the skin." Sweat then evaporates from our skin using heat from the body to turn the liquid into vapor.
"It is harder for the sweat to evaporate quickly on a humid day, which is why we feel warmer than we do on a dry day at the same temperature," she continues. In the dog days of summer, you can not only improve the look of your skin when drinking more water, but also how it feels.
Factor concludes that while the tip of drinking more water feels like common sense, so many still "do not drink enough," and their skin barriers can suffer.
"The bottom line is that we've seen that our skin is our body's largest organ," Factor says, and the "best ways" to care for it include hydrating your outermost layer with frequent sunscreen application and drinking enough water (and maybe more than you're used to).
