This time of year, dermatologists’ offices tend to be full of regretful patients dealing with late-summer sunburns or the splotches, dry scales and brown spots they’ve accumulated over the past few months.
Luckily, the options are just about endless, ranging from exfoliators and hydrating creams you can use regularly to stronger peels and laser procedures performed by doctors. It all depends on the damage you’ve done and how far you’re willing to go to repair it.
Top Tips
A good first step, experts say, is to slough off some of your damaged outer layers by exfoliating once or twice a week. Not only will you remove debris, but you’ll stimulate skin’s re-growth
Follow up with a heavier lotion than you used during the summer, especially if you’re living in a climate where the temperature and humidity levels are beginning to drop.
N.V. Perricone M.D. Body Hydrator might also do the trick. This body cream is rich in the natural antioxidant polyphenols, from olive oil, said to hydrate and brighten skin.
If you’re looking for over-the-counter help in getting rid of sun spots, SK-II recently launched its Whitening Source DermDefinition, which aims to reset skin’s tone and color by stopping the overproduction of melanin.
Fall is also the perfect time to try rejuvenating retinoids, such as Retin-A or Tazorac. Over time, they can reverse some premature wrinkling caused by sun exposure. Products containing hydroquinone also can resolve skin pigment or discoloration problems by lightening dark spots.
Another alternative for people who want more dramatic results is a PhotoFacial, a series of gentle pulsed light treatments that can improve the appearance of sun-damaged and aged skin.
It’s also never a bad time to hydrate your skin from the inside out. Borba Skin Balance Waters contain lychee extract to promote hydration and green tea extract and vitamins K and E to make skin glow. And if that’s not enough, vitamin A, papaya and guava extracts maximize skin moisture levels.
