Hydration and Healing
Your Essential Guide to End-of-Summer Skincare
That lit-from-within summer glow may look fabulous but summer-long exposure to heat, air conditioning, sunlight, chlorine, and saltwater can take a toll on skin. The result may not be as glowing as you’d like. Skin can feel tight and dry, it may become flakey, dull with uneven tone, and even show signs of dreaded dark spots. As August comes to an end, it’s important to assess the health of your skin. Strong and healthy skin is far more important than a sun-kissed glow…you can always fake it after all!
Exposure to summer elements makes your skin work even harder in the fight against free radical production. Dryness and irritation only contribute to free radical production. Sensitive skin is especially prone to irritation and dryness. Those with pre-existing skin conditions such as eczema, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, and even autoimmune diseases may be even more vulnerable to other issues and flare-ups. Sun protection (SPF) is always paramount for face, body and lips, specifically a broad-spectrum sunblock, along with sun protective clothing and a hat.
We've asked Dr. Eve Lupenko, M.D. of Greenberg Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology in Woodbury, NY. her advice for how best to protect and care for skin during and after summer months.Dr. Lupenko advises, “protecting your skin is often a combination approach because one product or treatment can’t do everything, and it usually takes months. It’s like weight loss - skin care also needs year-round maintenance, occasionally a little extra attention, and awareness of what can happen in the future if we don’t work hard now at our skin. We all enjoy spending time outdoors - we just have to be smart about it!”
Understanding Cause & Effect
| The Culprits: | Summer skin symptoms: |
| Sun, wind, environmental elements | Tightness/dryness |
| Heat and air conditioning | Flaking |
| Chlorine and salt water | Dullness, uneven skin tone |
| Sweating and physical dehydration |
Dark spots |
| Solutions: |
| Cleanse, Hydrate, Heal, Prevent |
Dr. Lupenko recommends a gentle cleanser twice per day to remove sweat and oil so your products can penetrate better. “Keep in mind that if you have to wash a third time, then you may get a bit drier and have to compensate with a light moisturizer. Make sure your moisturizer is water-based and non-comedogenic (which means it is less likely to cause clogged pores,” advises Lupenko.
Key Ingredients for Hydration & Healing
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is required for the synthesis of collagen and a powerhouse antioxidant that can only attempt to battle free radicals. I-On’s DII® age disrupting technology combines Vitamin C with previously incompatible natural pearl powder to actively remove excess iron from the surface of the skin before it can become free radicals.
Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, has been known to be an anti-inflammatory and helps restore skin’s defenses against moisture loss and dehydration. Dr. Lupenko advises that products with niacinamide are soothing and especially good for those with sensitive skin.
Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan, a natural substance in the skin’s support matrix. It plays a vital role in the stability of skin and helps restore and promote longer lasting hydration.
“Besides ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, there are other ingredients to look for like peptides, squalenes, anti-oxidants, as well as other products that can hydrate and heal summer-stressed skin,” says Lupenko.
Key peptides including acetyl tetrapeptide-11, which helps skin look and feel healthier, and tetrapeptide-9 help restore skin’s support system and support collagen production.
Olive-based squalane is a natural antioxidant that is highly emollient and can provide skin with a higher level of moisturization.
Portulaca oleracea extract (purslane extract) is an herb known to provide serious antioxidant benefits to skin with properties known to be soothing for sensitive skin.
Camellia oleifera seed oil is an oil from the seeds of camellia fruits of eastern Asia. Rich in oleic and linoleic acid, this highly nourishing, antioxidant-rich oil replenishes skin’s moisture, prevents water loss, and supports the skin barrier.
The i-On Difference
i-On’s DII® technology plus skin-supportive antioxidant ingredients and are key for post-summer skin recovery and rejuvenation.
When sun and environmental factors interact with EXCESS iron (link to Iron blog or Evidence on the site) on the surface of your skin it promotes free radical production. Free radicals contribute to many chronic health problems and inflammatory disease [1] and they’re known to be a cause of visible signs of skin damage resulting in the appearance of dullness, dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. Experts say that even exposure to the lowest levels of UVA (ultraviolet) sunlight have been found to encourage free radical production.
i-On is the only cosmetic skincare that removes excess iron, from the skin’s surface inhibiting the activation of free radical production. Fewer free radicals mean less visible damage and the appearance of healthier, more beautiful, and radiant skin. DII® works to remove the iron on the surface of your skin so less free radicals are produced when outdoors or in the sun. Then our lush ingredients can go to work to help strengthen, support healing, and hydrate the skin.
It's Still Summer: Dr. Lupenko's expert advice on late summer skincare
“Products that people tend to use for rejuvenation benefits have more irritating agents and may need to be avoided or minimized while in high-sun areas. Stop over-the-counter retinol, cosmeceutical-strength retinol (which are stronger strengths bought in dermatology or plastic surgery offices,) and prescription tretinoin 4-7 days before a sun-filled vacation so that you don’t ruin your trip with unnecessary sunburns. You may want to avoid AHA and BHA (alpha- and beta- hydroxy acids) products, too.”
“Supplements and nutrition also play a role in healthy skin care. A well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables for antioxidants is important, eating fish such as salmon, as well as drinking plenty of water for healthy skin (but no amount of drinking water will treat dry skin, just dehydrated skin; so for dry skin, just moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!). Heliocare is an oral vitamin supplement that is supposed to help minimize the effects of sun damage by giving you antioxidants to take while in the sun.”
“After all this talking about how to prevent sunburns and promote healthy, brighter, smoother skin, what should you do if you have an “oops” moment and (it’s happened to the best of us) get a sunburn? Apply cool compresses (not ice) directly so you don’t burn the skin more. take aspirin or any other NSAID that your physician allows like ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil or Aleve, and apply over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone 2-3 times per day for a few days. Do not peel off any skin so you don’t get any stripes in the color of the new fresh skin that will grow compared to the rest of your skin. If you get any blisters, you can pop them with a sterile pin, but leave the roof on because it acts as a natural bandage. Use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer but hold off on any fruit acids or retinols. Gentle, gentle, gentle!”
After the summer, you may have to do some active backtracking to treat any visible signs of this past summer’s damage to restore any roughness or discolorations, like retinoids, chemical peels, lasers and bleaching/brightening creams. A board-certified dermatologist can recommend a great regimen that best suits your specific skin issues.
Eve Lupenko, M.D.