%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2Ftal-summer-beauty-mistakes-to-avoid-for-your-next-trip-tout-0920f68d601941abae9c78638d802ccd.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
6 Most Common Beauty Mistakes You're Making in the Summer—and How to Fix Them
I've been writing for nearly 12 years. In the span of my decade-plus career, I've flexed my reporting skills while interviewing Hollywood stars, street fashion designers, clinical psychologists, and even governmental officials on a wide range of topics and interests, ranging from global health crises to astrological compatibility. One of my favorite areas to cover, though (outside of travel, of course) is beauty—whether it's breaking down which waterproof, smudge-free mascara is worth the buy or investigating the potential benefits of red light therapy.
Luckily, as a frequent flier who loves makeup and has a dedicated skincare routine, travel and beauty do intersect at times. With summer around the corner and plenty of beach visits on my horizon, I decided to get the inside scoop on what summer beauty mistakes I should avoid this travel season. In order to do just that, I tapped board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at Weill-Cornell Medical College, Dr. Elaine F. Kung, MD, along with Dr. Ainah U. Tan, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at Duly Health and Care.
Curious to see what beauty mistakes they see most during the summer? Then, see the products they recommend using to avoid them, including SPF-infused lip balms and glow-boosting serums starting at just $5. Credit: Amazon Credit: Amazon Credit: Supergoop! Credit: Amazon
The No. 1 summer beauty mistake Dr. Kung and Dr. Tan see? Not wearing enough sunscreen, and forgetting to reapply it throughout the day. Reapply SPF every two to three hours if you're outside, and if your summer travel plans involve lounging poolside or at the beach, bump it up to every 90 minutes, she adds.
'People often underestimate the intensity of the summer sun reflecting off the sand, water, ground, and windows,' according to Dr. Kung, who says that applying sunscreen too thinly, missing the ears, neck, and feet, and forgetting to lather up with SPF post-swim are some of the more common sunburn culprits.
Both Dr. Tan and Dr. Kung swear by mineral-based sunscreens for blocking UVA and UVB rays; two of Dr. Kung's favorites include the EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 and the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Sunscreen Milk. Dr. Tan added: 'Look for zinc or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients."
To help you stay on top of your SPF application, Dr. Tan also suggests using more than one product that provides sun protection. SPF-infused setting sprays, mineral setting powders, and gel sticks are all genius ways to do so: 'For convenience throughout the day, especially when you're on the go, Colorescience Sunforgettable Brush-On Sunscreen is a great option." Credit: La Roche Posay Credit: Amazon
Abrasive face scrubs and chemical peels can help slough off dead skin, but if used too frequently, especially on sensitive skin, they can harm the skin's barrier, leaving your skin raw, irritated, and more prone to sunburns and hyperpigmentation, says Dr. Kung.
Dr. Tan recommends a high-quality vitamin C serum as a milder alternative to treating dullness and discoloration. The antioxidant is less harsh than other chemical exfoliants, and it can even help protect cells from damage caused by UV-induced free radicals. Just be sure to layer plenty of SPF on top.
Dr. Tan specifically loves the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum. The powerful treatment contains 15 percent vitamin C, skin lipid-replenishing vitamin E, and ferulic acid, a plant-based antioxidant that further neutralizes free radicals. 'It's effective in fading sun spots and leaves the skin feeling really smooth.' For a more budget-friendly alternative, consider this La Roche-Posay Vitamin C serum, which is $45. While it has a slightly lower concentration of vitamin C and doesn't contain ferulic acid, it still helps to promote a radiant complexion, and the fragrance-free formula contains hyaluronic acid for a boost of hydration.
Dr. Tan recommends you also add an antioxidant serum to your regimen if you're looking for another way to bolster your skin-brightening routine: 'Glytone makes an excellent one that helps combat the oxidative damage caused by UV exposure.'
The serum contains azelaic and glycolic acid, both chemical exfoliants. Dr. Kung said that even those gentle exfoliants can make skin sensitive to sun exposure. 'If you use them, do so sparingly at night, and be meticulous with sun protection the following day,' she suggested, adding that gentler enzymatic exfoliants during the summer are also a great alternative to harsh peels and scrubs. Credit: Ulta Credit: Walmart Credit: Amazon Credit: Amazon
Summer activities naturally cause us to sweat more, leading to an increase in oil production. And, the unpredictable environmental factors involved with travel, like increased exposure to pollution and germs, can further antagonize acne-prone skin.
To prevent clogged pores and blemish flare-ups while traveling this season, be sure to add a gentle yet effective facial cleanser to your toiletry bag. 'Choose mild, non-stripping cleansers to remove sweat, oil, and sunscreen without disrupting the skin barrier,' suggested Dr. Kung, who recommends cream cleansers, foam cleansers, and micellar water.
For consistently clean skin on your summer travels, Dr. Tan recommends kicking off your morning routine with a gentle cleanser (both she and Dr. Kung love the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser) before applying your other skincare products and makeup. Once you're ready to turn in for the night, give your skin another cleaning (after removing makeup, if you're wearing it) before diving into your nighttime regimen. Credit: Amazon Credit: Ulta Credit: Amazon Credit: Sephora
Retinoids have become increasingly popular for their ability to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, even out skin tone, and even fade aging spots and acne scars. While dermatologists love retinoids for stimulating collagen production, the experts warn they should be used in a particular way, especially in the summer.
Dr. Tan said that both over-the-counter retinol formulas and prescription-strength products, like retin-A and tretinoin, can make skin more sensitive to sunlight, increasing the likelihood of redness, irritation, and burns. This is because 'retinoids increase skin cell turnover,' Dr. Kung explained, noting that this results in newer, more vulnerable skin cells to emerge.
Does that mean you have to ditch your favorite anti-aging products altogether? Not exactly. 'I don't typically advise people to stop using them altogether,' Dr. Tan explained, 'but I do emphasize the importance of being diligent about sun protection when using retinoids.' Dr. Kung echoes this, adding that diligent SPF application is 'crucial' in order to prevent retinoid-related sun damage.
Another way to protect your skin from retinol-induced sunburns while traveling is by only using retinol during your nightly regimen. Dr. Tan continued, 'If you're using anti-aging products like retinoids, those are best applied at nighttime." Credit: Dermstore Credit: Amazon
Read my lips. Your pout needs sun protection, too.
'The lips are particularly vulnerable to sun damage and can easily burn,' says Dr. Kung, who noted that neglecting SPF on the lips is one of the more common summer beauty mistakes she sees. This season, treat lip sunscreen as a non-negotiable, because according to Dr. Kung, it is one.
One option Dr. Kung loves is EltaMD's UV SPF 36 Lip Balm. It's paraben-free, non-comedogenic, and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes of wear, keeping lips hydrated and protected. For a budget-friendly alternative, she recommends the shea butter-infused Aquaphor SPF 30 lip ointment, which is formulated to help soothe dry, chapped lips. Credit: Amazon Credit: Amazon
Unless you have extremely dry skin, eczema, or live in a particularly dry climate, save your rich face creams and body butters for the winter. Thicker formulas can clog pores when combined with hot or humid weather and sweat.
'While beneficial for dry skin in cooler months,' Dr. Kung began, 'they can feel heavy and greasy in the summer heat and humidity, potentially contributing to acne breakouts.'
Instead, Dr. Kung recommends lighter, non-comedogenic formulas that won't clog your pores, 'like lotions, gels, or serums containing hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, and ceramides.' These skin-loving ingredients provide the plumping hydration your skin is craving without weighing it down or promoting excess oil production.
Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
‘Real Housewives of Atlanta' star Dwight Eubanks say he ‘never thought' about prostate cancer
'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star Dwight Eubanks is opening up about his stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis, saying he never thought it would be him. Eubanks sat down with Channel 2's Karyn Greer for his first TV interview since announcing his diagnosis earlier this month. 'It's still very fresh right now. It's very new,' he said, 'I've had to take in a lot in a short window.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The reality television star and celebrity stylist known for his big personality is using his voice to tell Black men to get tested for prostate cancer. 'The doctors told me then that the chances of me having prostate cancer were slim to none because it was on my mother's side of the family,' he explained. 'So I never thought about it.' At a health fair he organized at his church in January, he decided to get tested. Days later, he learned he had prostate cancer. Further testing in April confirmed the stage 4 diagnosis. TRENDING STORIES Metro Atlanta charity that gives cars to families in need helps one of its own PHOTOS: Thousands of protesters gather across metro Atlanta, north Georgia What are the signs, symptoms of prostate cancer One in four Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, healthcare experts say. '[Georgia is] number five in incidents and number six in mortality in the nation, but in the City of Atlanta, it's worse than even the state of Georgia and the rest of the nation,' Dr. Leigh Ann Burnham said, assistant professor of surgery at Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Burnham is also a national expert in prostate cancer in Black men. She says it's important for all men to get the simple blood test because early detection is crucial. 'According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is over 99.9% survival rate five years out, if you detect it early when the cancer is still within the prostate,' she said. Eubanks says he is considering his options for treatment. 'There's new technology, new information out there to help dissolve it, whether it's radiation or chemo. There's a seed that I'm really leaning toward. It's less invasive,' he told Greer. He has also partnered with the nonprofit Zero Prostate Cancer to help more men learn their PSA numbers, which can mean something isn't right. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
How long can your cookout spread stay out? Here's what food safety experts say
If chowing down on picnic food isn't the best part of summer, I don't know what is. And as delicious as a juicy slice of watermelon or a snappy hot dog can be, warm-weather fare is even more enjoyable when it's not accompanied by a side of food poisoning. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but leaving your famous pasta salad out of the fridge on a hot day is practically an engraved invitation for illness-causing bacteria to crash the party. So, just how long can barbecue, sides and desserts stay on the buffet table? As a former professional baker, I have a food handler's license, but I wanted to get up-to-date info on preparing, serving and storing food in the most sanitary way. I enlisted two food safety experts to share their insights, and these are their tips for your next summer bash and beyond. Ever been to a barbecue where the mayo-packed potato salad was left outside all day? Yeah, you'll want to avoid that. The window during which it's safe to leave food out at room temperature is likely shorter than you'd think, thanks to something called the (dun-dun-dun): Danger Zone. According to the USDA, the Danger Zone refers to food temperatures "between 40°F (4.4°C) and 140°F (60°C)." Why? "There are certain foods that can cause foodborne illness if allowed to sit in the temperature Danger Zone, because potentially harmful bacteria can grow at these temperatures," says Ellen Shumaker, director of outreach for the Safe Plates program at North Carolina State University. "These include cut leafy greens, cut tomatoes and cut melon, raw and cooked meat and poultry, milk and dairy products, cooked dishes like casseroles, cooked vegetables, beans, pasta, rice and potatoes, as well as baked goods with cream, custard, cheese, meat/vegetable fillings and cream frostings." If you're thinking, "That's so many foods!" — well, you're right. But you can still safely enjoy them as long as you adhere to certain guidelines. Typically, that means keeping food out for no more than two hours, says Amanda Deering, associate professor of fresh produce food safety at Purdue University's Department of Food Science. That said, she adds, "If temperatures are above 90°F, it should sit out for no more than an hour." When it comes to safely preparing food, some ingredients are less straightforward than others. Of course, you'll always want to make sure you're using freshly cleaned hands and tools no matter what you're making, but for meat, there are other factors to keep in mind. "A meat thermometer is going to be your best friend," says Deering. "That's the only true way you can tell you cooked it properly." Shumaker agrees, adding, "With outdoor cookouts and grilling, I always think about making sure that meats are cooked to a safe endpoint temperature to kill off harmful bacteria. Burgers and other ground meat should be cooked to 160°F, and poultry should be cooked to 165°F." Grilling steak? The USDA says to cook beef, pork, veal and lamb steaks to an internal temperature of 145°F and let them rest for at least three minutes. The same temperature applies to fish and shellfish. "Other safety tips to keep in mind are to make sure that people handling and serving food are washing their hands and avoiding cross-contamination (making sure that utensils or cutting boards aren't used with raw meat and then fresh salad)," Shumaker cautions. And you are washing your hands ... right? It probably makes sense that keeping meat out at room temperature for too long isn't a great idea, but what about all of those accoutrements? "People sometimes don't think about fresh fruits and vegetables," says Deering, who advises heeding the Danger Zone guidelines for cut produce as well. To keep your produce fresh for longer, she says you'll want to "wash it under cool, running water and scrub with a vegetable brush, right before you're going to consume it." Rinsing it off too early can encourage the growth of bacteria, so it's best to hold off until you're about to cut it up. As for starchy side dishes? If you're on social media, you may have come across videos about something referred to as fried rice syndrome. Funny name, yes, but it's no laughing matter. "Fried rice syndrome refers to foodborne illness caused by, as the name implies, consuming fried rice," explains Shumaker. "In this case, it is caused by the bacteria Bacillus cereus. Bacillus cereus can be found anywhere. It is usually found in spore form, which is a dormant, or inactive, form of the bacteria. When the right conditions occur, the spore form of bacteria can become active. When some foods, like rice and other cooked dishes, are left sitting out for too long, Bacillus cereus can become active and produce a toxin. That toxin is what causes foodborne illness — specifically diarrhea, nausea and vomiting." (I don't think that's how any of us envision spending our summer...) How to avoid getting sick? You got it: Keep foods like rice, pasta, potato salad, casseroles and even condiments from sitting in the Danger Zone for too long. (At this point, shouldn't someone get Kenny Loggins to rework his Top Gun theme song to increase awareness around food safety?) Oh, and if you're thinking, "I'll just pop this cheesy dip I forgot to put in the fridge back into the oven to cook off that bacteria," guess again. "Bacillus cereus is heat-resistant, so unfortunately, simply reheating a food after it has been temperature abused will not destroy the toxin," Shumaker says. Deering is less concerned about certain types of foods. "Typically, things that are very high in sugar don't support the growth of human pathogenic bacteria," she says. This means your brownies and cookies are less likely to make you sick if they stay out longer. That said, anything creamy or custardy (think: trifles, lemon bars, banana cream pie) needs to be given the Danger Zone treatment. So, you prepare a batch of baked beans the day before a barbecue. What's the best way to keep it fresh? When it comes to hot food, "you want to get it as cool as possible, as quickly as possible," Deering says. Shumaker adds, "Because toxin formation occurs in the temperature Danger Zone, it is important to cool foods quickly." That said, you don't want to place a piping-hot pot straight into the fridge. Why? "It is not recommended to put large containers of hot food in the fridge because the food in the center of the pot will not cool down quickly enough to avoid the temperature Danger Zone," explains Shumaker. "Divide large portions of hot food into shallow containers to allow foods to cool more quickly before putting [them] into the fridge." Deering agrees. "If you have a smaller container that's packed full, that's going to take a long time for that internal part of the food to get cold, so then you risk that you're in that Danger Zone. If you have a bigger container with not as much food, that's going to cool a lot faster." As far as what the container is made of, neither Deering nor Shumaker has a clear preference, though they both stressed the importance of having a good seal to keep air out. That said, concerns about ingesting microplastics are on the rise, you may want to consider using glass containers — especially if you plan on microwaving them or using them for hot foods, which can cause plastic containers to release more of those tiny particles. That was a lot of information — the key takeaways? "Try to keep foods cold as long as possible by using coolers with ice or ice packs, and consider only serving small portions at a time," says Shumaker. "Otherwise, I just make sure my fridge is kept at 41°F or below to maximize shelf life." When in doubt, Deering has an easy-to-remember motto: "Keep cold things cold and hot things hot!" Happy (and safe) eating! If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.) Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Why sports dietitians say you shouldn't fast before weightlifting
Happy Friday, everybody. I'm a big fan of the pre-gym snack, and it turns out experts agree that eating before lifting is the right move. But the details are crucial here. Let's jump in! While there are supposed benefits and lots of talk around fasted cardio, experts say it's important to fuel up before strength training. Specifically, experts suggest eating something with carbs and protein. The carbs will become glycogen in your muscles, giving you energy, while the protein breaks down into amino acids, which support muscle growth and recovery. Not eating before strength training could 'lead to quicker muscular fatigue, reduced ability to do work and the perception that the work is harder,' said sports dietitian Laura Kunces. Snack an hour before working out, and skip anything too fatty, as that could impact digestion. Need ideas for what to eat? Here are some options. [Women's Health] What's your go-to pre-gym snack? Let me know. See you next week! About One Small Thing: One Small Thing is a daily health newsletter from Yahoo News.
