Summer skincare tips for mom

It's important to switch up your skincare routine for the summer months, so we asked Benjamin Barankin, a dermatologist and medical director of the Toronto Dermatology Centre, to share some of the top dos and don’ts for a glowing warm-weather complexion.

A version of this story appeared in our July 2013 issue with the headline "Summer skincare," p. 38.

Try applying your moisturizer with a foundation brush—they’re designed to help product absorb into the skin. Cleansing mitts can also help you get more oomph from your scrub or face wash.

Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 15, $27, Clinique.ca

A dry pucker isn’t just a cold-weather concern. Use a balm containing shea butter or beeswax to soothe chapped lips, with an SPF to prevent sun damage.

Kiehls Lip Balm SPF 15, $12, Kiehls.ca

If fine lines are your main complexion concern, think beyond moisturizer and treatment products to maintain your youthful glow. Adding a night cream or serum containing vitamin C, peptides, retinol or antioxidants to your arsenal will help to prevent the signs of aging.

Korres Quercetin & Oak Antiaging and Antiwrinkle Face Serum, $70, Sephora.ca 

“Some people break out more in the summer due to heat, humidity and sweating,” Barankin says. A face wash and daily moisturizer containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid will treat breakouts and help to prevent more pimples. Or carry cleansing cloths with you for a mid-day skin refresh.

Balea Cleansing Cloths, $9, Shoppersdrugmart.ca

Switch to a lotion, serum or gel that is a lighter formulation more suited to steamy weather, says Barankin. “And, look for products labelled non-comedogenic, and ones that lack fragrance.” They’ll be gentler on your complexion, which could be prone to irritation during the summer.

Simple Sensitive Skin Experts Protecting Light Moisturizer, $13, Amazon.ca

Wear protection: An SPF 30 will provide all the coverage your skin needs, assuming you apply enough sunscreen and reapply every two to three hours. If you are not diligent with this, a higher SPF is recommended. To keep it simple, use a daily moisturizer that contains sunblock. If you use a foundation in the winter, opt for one that’s colour correcting so you can skip that step, too.

Read more: Family summer sunscreen safety>