3 ways to make important skin care changes

July 4, 2015 3:07 PM

If your skin-care routine hasn’t changed since February because it’s easier to just stick with what you know, you may be paying a price in the form of a dull, oily, or irritated face.

Skin care tips

If your skin-care routine hasn’t changed since February because it’s easier to just stick with what you know, you may be paying a price in the form of a dull, oily, or irritated face.

“Just as our skin and skin concerns change with the seasons, our skin-care routine should change, too, or your complexion can start to suffer,” says dermatologist Debra Jaliman.

This is not to say you need to overhaul your entire regimen.

Jaliman recommends switching only a few of your daily products.

Here are 3 guidelines for achieving this.

If you have oily skin, try a new cleanser.

“Oily and acne-prone skin is most affected by the hot and sticky weather, so you want your products to be sheer and breathable,” says Jaliman.

She suggests starting with a gentle exfoliating cleanser containing salicylic acid. Follow that with a lightweight lotion with ceramides, which help restore skin’s natural moisture barrier. If you have combination skin, try a gel.

“The T-zone tends to get extra oily during the day, while the rest of the skin feels dry,” says Jaliman. The key, she says, is changing a product or two to reduce the shine.

A hydrating gel on your T-zone absorbs quickly to keep skin feeling hydrated, rather than oily. If you’re still reaching for oil-blotting sheets by noon, swap your creamy sunscreen for a mattifying formula.If you have dry skin, try a lotion that’s powerful and lightweight.

“Summer humidity naturally adds some water back into your skin, meaning you don’t need rich and heavy creams,” says Jaliman. She can tell when a patient is overdoing it on the moisturizers in the summer.

“They’ll often have clogged pores or a dull complexion and think it’s because of the heat, when in reality it’s because they’re using the wrong product.”

She suggests a lightweight gel-cream that contains both hyaluronic acid and glycerin, both power moisturizers, to curb dryness without adding weight.

To further your course, here's a clip on skin care and beauty tips.

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