STYLE

Picture this: The final bell has rung, school's out and it's time for sleeping in, pool days and beach trips. But when every outing comes with a side of sun, salt and sweat, those good times can be bad news for your skin and strands. It's time to bring in our beauty lifeguards because we're saving your summer.

Summer Beauty Bummer: Melting Makeup

Your makeup for your bestie's afternoon BBQ was absolutely perfect..until you stepped outside and started to sweat it all off. For a heat-proof look, swap foundation for a tinted moisturizer or simply spot treat with a concealer (we reach for L.A. Colors Ultimate Cover Concealer, $5). Then, dab on liquid blush and apply waterproof mascara. Seal the deal with a finishing powder to help reduce oil and shine, suggests makeup artist Jordan Cook (our pick: Crunchi Translucent Finishing Powder, $34). The result? A flawless look that won't fizzle.

@anaismirabelle

Summer Beauty Bummer: Out-of-Control Curls

Humidity turning your hair into a halo of frizz? Curls need all the moisture they can soak up, so stick to a nourishing shampoo and conditioner every time you wash, suggests hairstylist Siobhán Quinlan. Finish with a hydrating leave-in (we heart Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave In Conditioner/Detangler, $11).

Need to tame flyaways on the, um, fly? For sleek strands, smooth the lengths of your locks with an oil like Aussie Miracle Moist Intense Hydration Oil ($6).

Summer Beauty Bummer: Stinging Sunburns

You didn't stop to reapply during that beach volleyball game...and you're red as a lobster. Ouch! Soothe sunburned skin by applying an emollient-rich lotion like Aquaphor Healing Ointment Skin Protectant and Moisturizer ($10) right away, then twice a day (it'll help lessen the flaking and peeling, too).

Still feeling the fire? Try an oatmeal bath like Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment with Natural Colloidal Oatmeal ($8).

@ana.stowell

Summer Beauty Bummer: Shaving Slip-Ups

With beach days and pool parties aplenty, you're probably going to be shaving more frequently, which can lead to razor burn. Ditch the redness and itch by leaving shaving for last in the shower, suggests dermatologist Dr. Kristen Miller: "Water swells the hair cuticle, making it easier to achieve a close shave with minimal irritation."

Use a fresh razor (toss it after 10 times, max) and a quality shave product (we like Brazilian Bare Fresh Watermelon Extra Gentle Shave Syrup, $13). Gently glide the razor in the same direction that the hair grows. Hop out of the shower, pat skin dry and moisturize. Oh, and shave the night before you hit the beach to avoid your skin being bothered by saltwater and sunscreen.

Summer Beauty Bummer: Pool Pony Probs

Chlorine wreaks havoc on hair, so street your tresses before you take a dip by applying a leave-in conditioner (it'll prevent strands from soaking up salty or chlorinated water). Pick a formula that hydrates *and* offers UV protection like Evo Happy Campers Wearable Treatment ($32). And once you're done swimming? Rinse right away.

@mel.amartinez

Summer Beauty Bummer: Abundant Acne

The pore-clogging combo of sweat and sunscreen is pretty much the perfect recipe for pimples. Keep breakouts at bay by showering right after workouts or sweating in the sun, says Dr. Miller. Use an antibacterial cleanser with benzoyl peroxide on your face (we love CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser, $18) and a body wash with 2% salicylic acid everywhere else (try Differin Acne-Clearing Body Wash, $12).

And stay skin smart while staying sun smart: Stock up on an oil-free, "non-comedogenic" SPF that won't clog pores like Neutrogena Sport Face Oil-Free Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 70+ ($11).

Summer Beauty Bummer: Bikini Bumps

Ingrown hairs popping up along your bikini line and underarms? Time to replace your razor. "Dull razors irritate the hair follicle, which leads to clogging," explains Dr. Miller (look for one with built-in buffers like Gillette Venus Comfortglide Miami Sunset Razor, $13). Meanwhile, bust those pesky bumps by treating them with an exfoliating product like Topicals High Roller Ingrown Hair Tonic with AHA and BHA ($26).

@solarpowered_blonde

SPF Pop Quiz! ☀️

Check your summer skin IQ in our true or false test...

You don't need to wear sunscreen inside in the summer.
FALSE. "Certain types of UV light can penetrate through window glass, which can cause you to tan or burn with a long enough exposure," says Dr. Miller.

Darker skin should use sunscreen, too.
TRUE. Sun damage is real, whether you can see the redness from a burn or not. Every person, regardless of skin tone, should protect themselves with SPF 30—rain or shine.

Always use the highest SPF you can find.
FALSE (if you're applying it right). You can stop at SPF 30: It blocks 97% of the sun's UVB rays. That said, applying too little of *any* sunscreen means the SPF value gets diluted, so "when in doubt, opt for a higher SPF," advises dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner.

Shade can serve as a substitute for sunscreen.
FALSE. Dr. Miller explains that "shade decreases sun exposure by about 75%, so it is still very possible to burn."

Spray SPF works just as well as lotion.
TRUE (mostly). Just use them right: Dr. Zeichner recommends that you "hold the can an inch away from the skin and spray until the skin glistens." If you don't see a sheen, it's not there.

Hey, girl! Just wanted to let you know that this story originally ran in our June/July 2023 issue. Want more? Read the print mag for free *today* when you click HERE.

by Lisa DeSantis | 6/25/2023