Our skin’s needs vary depending on the season and summer brings an emphasis on cleansing and hydrating. It is especially important to have a flexible skincare regimen for those living in regions that experience hot weather during the summer months. Skincare brand CeraVe recently launched new products geared towards enhancing summertime skincare.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shari Marchbein, who has supported CeraVe for years, collaborated with the brand on the four-product launch, which includes: Ultra-Light Moisturizing Gel, Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 for Face & Body, Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser, and Acne Foaming Cream Wash. Ahead of the launch, EnVi connected with Dr. Marchbein to chat about CeraVe’s new products and tips for maintaining healthy skin during the summer.
Dealing With Sweat
Summertime-specific skincare routines can be easy to overlook, but are key in ensuring healthy skin all year round. Whereas wintertime skincare tends to emphasize hydration and moisture, in the summer, people tend to deprioritize moisturizer while struggling with a balance of nutrients.
Sweating, in particular, is one of the biggest contributors to summer skin issues, including acne. Sweat, whether caused by an exercise class or a simple walk outside, occludes the body’s oil glands, contributing to acne breakouts. It is worse for those who regularly engage in physical activities in athleticwear. Fitness attire presses tightly against the skin, trapping sweat buildup that contributes to acne formation. The best solution to this common problem is to shower and cleanse as soon as possible after a workout — or, more generally, after sweating.
Dr. Marchbein recommends the new Acne Foaming Cream Wash to deal with sweat-induced acne. With a formula that features 10% benzoyl peroxide, CeraVe’s foaming cream wash is antibacterial and works well against both inflammatory acne and blackheads. The formula is also equipped with three essential ceramides, which contribute to a healthier skin barrier.
Adequately Cleansing and Moisturising
Taking a step back from summertime sweat specifically, cleansing thoroughly is necessary any time of the year. Dr. Marchbein swears by the double-cleanse method, which involves a two-step cleanse starting with an oil cleanser and followed by a foam or cream cleanser. CeraVe’s new Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser is the brand’s first-ever oil-based cleanser. It was approved by the National Eczema Association and is intended to act as the first step in a double-cleanse procedure.
“Oil cleansers are amazing for those of us that wear makeup. Oil attracts oil, so it binds to makeup, dirt, and impurities and removes everything,” Dr. Marchbein shared. CeraVe’s oil cleanser aligns with the brand’s history of creating products that prioritize maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Containing triglyceride, hyaluronic acid, and squalane oil, the cleanser is a non-comedogenic, pH-balanced, and a gentle option for the skin.
After cleansing, it is crucial to adequately moisturize. Although many would consider moisturizing a winter priority — since cold weather tends to leave the skin quite dry — moisturizing is essential all year round. This step is particularly important during the summer when both excessive heat and sun exposure can dehydrate the skin.
“Going into the summer, people don’t want lotion or cream because it’s heavy,” Dr. Marchbein said. CeraVe’s new Ultra-Light Moisturizing Gel veers from those formulations — as its name implies, it’s a lightweight gel product. The gel contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and restore the skin barrier.
When incorporating other well-aging treatment products like retinoids, which can cause dryness, it’s key to layer our skin with moisturizers. Dr. Marchbein’s go-to technique, called the “sandwich technique,” involves cleansing, then applying products in the following order: serums, moisturizing gel or cream, retinoids, and then sealing with the moisturizing cream. While it may seem like a lot, the sandwich technique improves our skin’s tolerability without decreasing product efficacy.
Sun Protection
Finally, sun exposure may be the most obvious and pressing summer-related skincare issue. During the summer months, when daylight hours are longer and the ultraviolet (UV) index is higher, increased sun exposure is nearly inevitable. But despite the omnipresence of UV rays, it’s possible to combat sun-related cell damage.
“Sun protection is the most important thing you could do, ever. If you’re not wearing sunscreen, you’re wasting your time,” Dr. Marchbein said, emphasizing the importance of pairing a well-rounded skincare routine with adequate sun protection. Sunscreens tend to be either mineral or chemical — a mineral sunscreen prevents UV rays from penetrating the skin, while a chemical sunscreen allows UV rays to penetrate the skin but dissipate the UV rays as heat.
Protecting against sun damage has both functional and aesthetic benefits. Dr. Marchbein shared that about 80% of skin aging comes from sun exposure. Skin cancer caused by overexposure to UV rays is the most common form of cancer. CeraVe’s new Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen combines elements of both types of sun protection filters with an SPF of 30 and incorporates skincare benefits to ensure hydration for both the face and body.
The most effective way to wear sunscreen is to use a product with at least SPF 30 and reapply every two hours. When wearing makeup or going out, it’s completely acceptable to reapply sunscreen using a powder SPF to avoid a cakey or heavy feeling. However, when going to the beach or spending the day outdoors, it’s best to reapply a cream or lotion sunscreen directly. To protect the neck and body, Dr. Marchbein advises wearing hats and long-sleeve cover-ups or clothing.
Constructing a summer-ready skincare regimen can be a challenge for skincare newbies and veterans alike. CeraVe’s new launch simplifies certain decisions with simple, affordable, and dermatologist-backed products that aim to protect and nourish the skin barrier while treating irritation, inflammation, and acne. While it’s always best to consult a skincare specialist, CeraVe’s products and Dr. Marchbein’s recommendations may act as a stepping stone to building a helpful and sustainable summertime skincare routine.
Interested in more beauty tips for the summer? The Idol’s stylist Christopher Fulton shared his tips for summer-ready hair here.
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