Credit: Berry Behrendt
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Sexy halter dresses and short skirts might be the fashion of the season, but if you've neglected your skin all winter (or longer), you may not be ready to bare all just yet. Fortunately, you can be—and fast. We found experts to advise the best ways to counteract three conditions that rob our unique skin of its natural beauty. Read on to get glowing!
DRY SKIN
Ashy patches that can itch or flake are caused by moisture loss due to aging, health issues and environmental factors, such as air-conditioning and low humidity.
ACTION PLAN
» Get wet. Use light moisturizers such as Cetaphil Daily Advance Lotion and AmLactin, in the morning and evening.
» Control the weather. Buy a cool-air humidifier for year-round use at home to prevent your skin from drying out.
» Ditch dead skin. "Exfoliating creams made with lactic acid, urea and glycolic acids help you shed that layer of lifeless skin while you moisturize," says Elena Jones, M.D., a New York City dermatologist.
SUN DAMAGE
Over time, sun exposure takes a toll. "Our skin shows its age first through patchy pigmentation," says Jeanine Downie, M.D., a dermatologist in Montclair, New Jersey, and coauthor of Beautiful Skin of Color (Collins). We also get sunburned, even if we don't turn red.
ACTION PLAN
» Shield yourself. Whether your skin is light and freckled or dark and even toned, Downie advises wearing sunscreen every day. About a shot glass full of lotion will cover your entire body.
» Pick the best block. An SPF of 30 should do the trick, but Jones recommends that sisters with light complexions could raise their SPF factor further.
» Watch the clock. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially when you're at the beach. And try to avoid the sun between 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., when rays are strongest.
ECZEMA
On some of us, eczema appears as light patches of hypopigmentation on the cheeks or scaly, coin-shaped lesions. But it also presents itself as keratosis pilaris, or "goose bumps," on the back of the arms and thighs. "While classic eczema may be red, it can also be more of a dark brown or violet in darker-complexioned individuals," says Wendy E. Roberts, M.D., a dermatologist in Rancho Mirage, California.
ACTION PLAN
» Talk to your dermatologist. The specialist may prescribe topical steroids (such as triamcinolone or hydrocortisone) or suggest the use of over-the-counter antihistamines to relieve itchiness.
» Avoid potential triggers. Steer clear of anything that might induce a flare-up, which includes certain chemicals used in face and body products. Try emollient-based cleansers such as Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser and Kiss My Face Shea Soy Cleansing Bar. After use, "rinse your skin thoroughly and moisturize within five minutes of showering to trap in moisture," suggests Cheryl M. Burgess, M.D., a dermatologist and founder of the Center for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery in Washington, D.C.
» Consider your diet. Preliminary studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids may help alleviate atopic eczema, a form of the skin condition that is marked by excess inflammation. Eat more fish rich in this fatty acid, such as salmon and lake trout, or take an omega-3 supplement instead.
How are you maintaining sexy skin this summer? Share your experience below.
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