13 Summer Skin-Care Tips Dermatologists Swear By
They rinse off the second they stop sweating
Letting sweat dry on your skin isn’t harmless. As it evaporates, it leaves behind salt that can irritate sensitive or eczema-prone skin, and the lingering moisture can encourage the growth of bacteria on the skin. As the salt sits there, “it starts creating an environment that’s more acidic, and you can be more prone to things like folliculitis and breakouts,” Palm says, which is why a quick rinse after a workout or a hot afternoon is a good idea
They ease up on exfoliation
It’s tempting to scrub your way to a summer glow, but dermatologists pump the brakes—gritty scrubs and aggressive dry brushing can be too harsh when sun exposure is already stressing your skin barrier. Palm favors a gentle chemical exfoliant over a physical one on the face, and no more than once a week on the body.
They leave a peeling sunburn alone
When a burn starts to peel, the most dermatologist-approved move is to resist the urge to pick, and never pop a blister—peel it too soon and you risk uneven pigmentation, discoloration, and even scarring. “Just let it alone,” Kazlouskaya says. Allow it to slough off on its own, and in the meantime, soothe the burn with a cool shower, aloe, or a plain moisturizer made for sensitive skin. One caveat: A severe burn—blistering over a large area, accompanied by fever or chills—is a reason to call a doctor, not wait it out at home.
