You’ve got skin in the game — protect it from summer sun damage
This is the season to soak up the warm, wonderful sun
— and show off our glowing skin in shorts, tanks and bathing suits.
But this time of year can be most treacherous for skin — we can get blasted by everything from poison ivy and mosquitoes to sunburns if we’re not careful. And even just a little bit of extra sun means we should be doubling down on our hydration and moisturizing, and pulling out the big-gun products to help keep our skin safe.
One of my new favorite products is Lancome Renergie H.C.F. Triple Serum ($135 on Lancome-usa.com) It’s a triple-dose serum that targets volume loss, wrinkles and dark spots, and helps prevent damage with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C+, niacinamide and ferulic acid. That means it’s a gel, a cream and an emulsion — a combo that results in both hydration and moisturizing (the first adds water; the second softens dry skin, so they’re not the same things, and we do indeed need both).
And if the aforementioned glowing is on your summer skin to-do list, then reach for Pat McGrath Labs Divine Skin: Rose 001 The Essence ($86 on Patmcgrath. com). It boosts moisture big-time, illuminates, softens and smooths with natural floral ingredients. Apply it to your face in between cleansing and moisturizing every morning to nourish and replenish the skin barrier, There are zero silicone, parabens, sulfates, gluten, mineral oil and phthalates.
Onto sunscreens. For starters, make SPF a yearround thing, if you haven’t already. It’s your safeguard against hyperpigmentation, inflammation, fine lines and, yes, skin cancer. Use it on your face all year, and then on your body too, especially this time of year. Get one with broad-spectrum coverage (to shield you from both UVB rays that cause burning and UVA rays that cause lasting damage) and with an SPF of 30 or higher. And choose one that smells good, if you have the option. On that front, Chanel’s UV Essentiel ($55 on chanel.com) is as light in texture as it is in its fragrance — a delicate floral that smells fresh as can be.
For anyone with acneprone skin, non-oily formulas are imperative. Look for liquid sunscreens instead of thick creams that clog pores. A great choice is TIZO 2 NonTinted Facial Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40 ($43 on amazon.com).
And if you’re in the opposite situation — and concerned about dry skin instead — go in big for moisturizing and hydration, with EleVen by Venus Williams: Natural Unrivaled Sun Serum ($50 on elevenbyvenuswilliams.com). It’s a lightweight mineral protection, SPF 35 — and is safe for reefs (so wear it on any beach you like before swimming), cruelty-free, and vegan. It also blends in incredibly well,
Renergie HCF Triple Serum by Lancome is a gel, a cream and an emulsion. has a velvety finish, and contains prickly pear extract, to hydrate and soothe inflamed skin — in case you’ve gotten a sunburn.
For sunburns, an RX treatment may be in order. At my day spa, GSpa at Foxwoods, we offer a Soothing
Facial ($175 for 50 minutes at foxwoods.com) that uses antioxidants, peptides and botanical stem cells. Each of those ingredients protects the skin from free radical damage and restores hydration — soothing and refreshing dry and sensitive skin.