Monastery’s Universal Balm ($48) and Beauty of Joseon Rice + Probiotics SPF ($20)
Writer: Hailey Evans
Photos: Duane Tinkey
The skin is your largest organ and the one most prone to the outside elements. It protects every other part of you! Take care to protect it in return.
Just as our clothing and workout routines change with the seasons, so should the way we take care of our skin. Iowa Clinic dermatologist Adam Miller and Eden Spa director Anna Dewey shared some essential skincare tips for the summer.
Wear sunscreen
We all know sunlight is essential for life. Exposure boosts dopamine and energy levels, improves immune function and even regulates sleep cycles. But “during a sunny summer day in Iowa, your body maxes out its vitamin D production in 10-15 minutes,” Miller said. Beyond this, he explained, skin begins to suffer negative effects from UV radiation unless it’s properly protected.
“In addition to skin cancer, all of the skin signs that we associate with aging like sagging, wrinkles, dark spots and thinning of the skin are associated with cumulative sun exposure,” he said.
Dewey added that hyperpigmentation and other signs of sun damage won’t always show up immediately, so it’s important to stay diligent with sun protection. Too much exposure can also inflame many common skin problems like eczema, rosacea and certain autoimmune conditions.
Both experts agree: The best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually use. Apply it daily to the face and body about 20 minutes before direct sun exposure, and reapply every two hours. Aim for an SPF of at least 30 — note that a higher SPF does not mean you can skip the reapplication — and be sure it’s labeled “broad spectrum.” Chemical sunscreens contain molecules that absorb UV light and convert it to non-harmful heat energy, while physical or mineral-based sunscreens, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, directly block the passage of UV light. Most brand-name sunscreens contain both chemical and physical sunscreen ingredients.
Look on the bright side: Many facial moisturizers now contain SPF, and tinted options are available for various skin tones.
“If a client says they’re having irritation from sunscreen, ingredients are the first thing I look at,” Dewey said. Titanium dioxide is a mineral sunscreen that can cause redness and irritation for some people, so Dewey suggests swapping to a product with zinc oxide instead.
Miller suggested some people might benefit from oral supplementation with a plant-derived antioxidant called polypodium. It’s been shown to protect against UV-induced skin damage and also may help control inflammatory skin conditions that are aggravated by the sun. As always, ask your doctor before starting any new supplement regime.
Repair and replenish
Beyond sun exposure, summer activities come with a host of other irritants that can cause inflammation.
“The focus should be on protecting and repairing the skin barrier,” Miller said. Think of your skin barrier as the top layer, the frontline defense for your skin. If skin is being damaged by a product or outside irritant, it could result in redness, tightness or burning. Allergic reactions from poison ivy, grass pollen, chlorine from pools or even your own sweat can cause skin irritation and discomfort.
The good news is most of these irritants can be washed away with a shower — make sure to wash affected clothing, too. Dewey and Miller warned against using harsh soaps and hot water, as both can aggravate skin. Follow up with creams and oils to help repair any damage to the skin barrier. Their biggest tip? Moisturize while skin is still damp to lock in that extra hydration.
When in doubt, keep things simple, cooling and hydrating. “Skin is smart,” Dewey said. “It knows what it’s doing, it just needs time to heal.”
Slick to it: Miller said thick creams generally repair skin more effectively than lotions. Dewey recommends Monastery’s Universal Balm because it can be used anywhere on the body and calms inflammation from things like eczema and sun exposure. Eden carries the product in store and uses it in its spa treatments.
If your skin breaks out from sweat or sunscreen, she recommends the Osea Blemish Balm, also sold at Eden.
It’s a clarifying moisturizer that hydrates skin and has anti-inflammatory and germicidal ingredients to fight bacteria and irritation. “I don’t want breakouts to deter people from using sunscreen,” she said.
If you do get a sunburn, Miller recommends cool showers, aloe vera and ibuprofen to calm the inflammation and help healing.
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