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Cadwell: Summer skincare faces sun, heat…and masks

Tips to be healthy & master the challenge

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Summer is here and much like you swap out your winter wardrobe for summer attire, the same goes for your skin care.

At Vibrant Skin Bar, our aestheticians and medical providers --- we call ourselves the “Vibe Tribe” --- see a trifecta of skin care challenges this summer: the sun, the hot temperatures, and now the need to wear masks.

Sun and heat are typical each year, of course. But how do you keep your skin looking vibrant while wearing a mask this summer?

Here are a few tips:

1. Clean skin. Start with clean skin always.

2. No makeup! Under the mask, makeup is not your friend.

Take a summer break. Instead, we love using Coola Rosilliance Mineral BB+ Cream. Sheer tinted cream for a glowing no-makeup look. This mineral SPF is infused with antioxidant-rich Rose Stem Cells to protect your skin throughout the day.

3. Sunscreen. Wear a physical sunscreen block.

4. Skin function as you mask up.

Use a protection balm under your mask to help support the skin’s function. Look for ingredients such as ceramides and sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid) to keep skin hydrated. At Vibrant Skin Bar, Sheald Recovery Balm by IS Clinical is a staff favorite!

5. Brush your teeth. Yes! After every meal do brush so food particles don’t end up on your skin.

6. Keep it fresh. Spritz skin with a copper infused toner such as IS Clinical Copper Firming Mist to keep skin fresh and clean throughout the day.

Copper is known for its anti-microbial properties and is a great addition to your summer skincare routine.

7. Keep it clean. And, yes, wash your mask daily.

Meanwhile, summer delivers time to sit back, relax and enjoy, but it is not a time to relax on your skincare routine.

In fact, it’s time to add to your skin’s defense systems and create a routine to keep skin looking youthful and fresh all season long.

Here are tips for that healthy sun-kissed glow without creating a cyclone of DNA damage for years to come.

You will need a good physical sunscreen --- not chemical --- a physical sunscreen!

Physical sunscreens, sometimes called mineral sunscreen or sunblock, contain zinc oxide to deflect UV rays. The pros of a physical sunblock: no need to wait after application to go in the sun.

Zinc is very healing to the skin. Zinc reduces inflammation and is less likely to clog the pores. Don’t forget to use sunscreen protection to protect your delicate lips, ears, scalp and the backs of your knees.

We are such strong proponents of wearing facial sunscreen year-round that we suggest brands based on your skin type.

  • All around-Skin: Better Science Tone Smart SPF 68 Sunscreen Compact. A physical block water-resistant sunscreen great for all skin types and brilliantly formulated to compliment all skin tones.
  • Dry Skin: Suntegrity 5 in 1 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen. This sunscreen acts as a moisturizer, sunscreen, primer and makeup.
  • Oily Skin: ELTA MD UV Clear. This comes in tinted and non-tinted formulations and is great for acne prone skin. It contains the super ingredient niacinamide (B3) to balance oil production, reduce pore size and protect against environmental damage.

Let’s set aside those heavy moisturizers and add an antioxidant serum to your regimen! Second only to SPF, an antioxidant serum is hands down the best thing you can put on your skin in the summer months.

Many dermatologists are now recommending the dynamic duo by adding antioxidants serums under your SPF. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals giving your skin an arsenal of protection. Vibe Tribe favorite antioxidant serums include:

  • Osmosis MD Replenish – a serum that contains a pharmaceutical-grade delivery system of 17 different antioxidants.
  • IS Clinical SUPER SERUM – a clinically proven formula that combines a 15% concentration L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) with a bio identical Copper Tripeptide Growth Factor.
  • Alto Vitamin C by Skin Better Science – a medical-grade vitamin C serum that looks and feels great under your SPF.

Don’t over exfoliate. Remove alpha hydroxy acids and retinols from your daily skincare routine.

Over-exfoliation can compromise your protective lipid barrier making your skin dry, irritated and more vulnerable to environmental damage.

Our favorite sun-safe Vitamin A serum is: Osmosis MD Correct which contains a certain form of vitamin A, retinaldehyde, that is safe to use during pregnancy and in the sun.

Mineralize your water. Purified and distilled water is sometimes also referred to as “dead water” because it contains few to no minerals.

Choosing glacial or spring water is a great way to make sure your water is mineral dense and if you feel the need to “spice it up” you can add some fruit.

Eat for the summer season. Eating foods that are in season is a great habit to get into because they typically taste better, they reduce your carbon footprint and they innately prepare your body for the challenges of the season.

Summer foods are typically higher in water, antioxidants and minerals, which help your body endure and replenish in the summer heat. One of the Vibe Tribes’ favorite summer foods is watermelon.

Watermelon is a natural sun-protector that is stacked with vitamin C and an antioxidant lycopene that successfully absorbs UV radiations.

Finally, the latest beauty options on our radar this summer are the new Restylane lip filler, Kysse, quickly becoming a #VibeTribe favorite.

Kysse is the first hyaluronic acid filler specifically designed by Galderma for lips using XpresHAn technology to give a beautiful and natural looking result.
And if you are seeking an extra boost to be swimsuit ready, the CoolTone muscle stimulating device delivers muscle sculpting in just 30 minutes!

We have new skin care challenges this summer, and the best way to tackle it is with forethought, expert advice and action to be ready for summer.

Enjoy your summer, mask and all!

Editor’s Note: Kristina Cadwell is founder and owner of Vibrant Skin Bar in Arcadia