Skin Care Beach Bag Survival Guide

Heading down the shore can be stressful for your skin, especially if you’re prone to breaking out or burning, but thankfully, there are ways to protect yourself and look good while doing it!

We all know the basics of a beach bag:  towel, sunscreen, magazine, sunglasses, etc; yet this isn’t enough if we want to rock our beach bunny persona.  I’ll admit, I’m guilty of taking 1/3 of my bathroom with me, and if I had a bigger beach bag, I’d take more.  Hey, I like to be prepared…I also like to be the savior at the beach when one encounters a skin dilemma.  Everyone I go with knows I’m an aesthetician, so the question is always “Teresa, what do I do?”  Well let me tell you!

Scenario #1:  Sunscreen vs. Sunblock

Written by Teresa Zawada

Who knows the difference?  In my experience, not many.  We know baby sunscreen, sport lotions, oil vs. dry oil, even brand names, but when I ask my already sensitive skinned clients who tell me they can’t use sunscreens due to reactions, the answer I most commonly get is “I didn’t know there was a difference!”  There is…a big one!  Let’s picture our front doors, we have our screen door and we have our solid, nobody’s getting in door!  Sunscreens are just that, screens!  They absorb into your skin, let the rays flow through, and they’ll give you a bit of color without giving you the “I just took a trip to the sun” look.  They’re usually sufficient for most people without any problems, but if you have reactive skin…beware!  

Sunscreens are chemical protection, they can aggravate acne and rosacea, sometimes even your eyes.  Sunblocks, on the other hand, sit on top of the skin and give sun rays a solar punch.  You won’t get a lot of color, but you will be protected.  And if you have rosacea, go for a block with an antioxidant.  Avene’s new line of sunscreens/sunblocks gives you all that and more…protection, sun-stable antioxidant vitamin E, and thermal spring water to cool and calm the skin; it’s like a 3 in 1!  Plus, if you feel more comfortable on the beach without a naked face, their sunblocks come in two shades of compact foundation that covers blemishes, are water resistant, mineral based, and completely beach friendly!

Scenario #2:  I break out from beach days

Skin is fragile…sure, it’s one of our first lines of defense, but it still likes to be given attention.  After a day of sand, salt water, sweating, HOPEFULLY re-applying sunscreen, moments of dehydration, and meals dominated by boardwalk food (although tasty, but lacking in major nutrition), it’s no surprise that your skin might get a little mad at you!  My advice is to pack cleansing wipes; I like the baby variety.  Not only are they multi-purpose (for your bathroom breaks), but they are super gentle on the skin; they’re meant to clean a delicate bottom!  Makeup wipes are OK, but not the best.  My reason being is that they’re meant to remove makeup… the premise remains to still wash the face, and with fresh water scarce on the beach, you’re leaving behind residue and potential irritating ingredients from them, on your face.  

So, every 60-80 minutes, when you need to reapply sunscreen, don’t pack the leftover into your pores, grab a wipe, swipe your face, and viola....fresh palate for more protection!  As far as that boardwalk food goes, enjoy it, don’t stress, but also pack for yourself lots of water, and some fruits like strawberries, sunflower seeds, kiwis, and avocados for some extra vitamin C and B to naturally boost your skin’s healing abilities.

Scenario #3:  You didn’t listen, and you burned!

Avene Thermal Spring Water

Maybe you fell asleep in the sun, maybe you were playing in a paddle ball tournament and had no time to take care of your skin out of fear of leaving the zone.  Whatever the reason, sunburns happen, we’re only human.  Most of us see it (or feel it) after a shower, but sometimes you can SEE the burn as its happening.  First, run for cover.  If you don’t have an umbrella, it might be high time to call it a day.  Second, use what I frequently refer to as “miracle water in a can.”  Avene Thermal Spring Water spray is just that.  Imagine a pure water, never seeing the light of day, and constantly maintaining a temperature, that when you spray it on your skin, it almost immediately brings down the temperature of your flesh. 

Why has nobody told you about this water before?!  This is literally the #1 product in my “oh so well” packed bag that my family and friends ask for. The best part is, after you spray this water, and are lucky enough to be in front of a fan, you can feel the heat escaping with a burning/cooling icy-hot sensation.  Spray on the beach, spray at night, spray for the heck of it during the day if you want to feel refreshed! 

To further calm the skin, Avene has two at-home masks that I swear by, but the one you need right now is the Soothing Moisture Mask.  Containing the Thermal Spring Water, safflower oil for nourishing (don’t worry, this will NOT clog you), and glycols for hydration, this paraben-free formula offers instant relief for burns and redness.

A little extra:

So that covers your beach emergencies, and just as a little extra, I always recommend sample sizes of talc powders, for those unfortunate souls who are prone to chaffing, a mini-first aid kit to clean and protect any cuts from sharp shells or over-zealous seagulls, a visor or hat, lip balm with SPF, a pack of tissues, antibacterial wipes, floss, a leave in conditioner for when you get out of the water, preferably with an SPF to protect the scalp, a brush, and last but not least, a waterproof camera, because smartphones and water DO NOT mix!  With all this, you too can be the hero of the beach day!

And of course if you have any questions or want to pamper your skin schedule an appointment at 609-443-4500 and ask to schedule with Teresa today!

Sun Protection During the Spring and Summer

As we enter into spring and summer one question that is often asked is: What is the best sunscreen? The simplest answer is; "the one that you will use!!!"

Many improvements have been made over the years and sunscreens are now reasonably priced and readily available.  In addition, they now have standardized messaging.  The American Academy of Dermatology recommends SPF 30 or more.  This level of protection can be found in lotions, sprays, sticks (excellent around the eyes and for athletes), moisturizer, make-up and more. 

There are two major active ingredients: metals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that reflect the light (but are invisible) or ringed compounds like avabenzone and oxybenzone that absorb the dangerous energy.  Both are effective but metals are bit more expensive so are less commonly found.

The effects of water are now more clearly labeled as well as they are either water resistant for 40 minutes, water resistant for 80 minutes or untested.

 MOST IMPORTANTLY, sunscreen must be applied in adequate quantities and are only effective for 1-2 hours.  So while you are out having fun, make sure you re-apply.  You can have the fanciest sunscreen in the world but if you don't apply it, it won't help you!!! 

Be Safe, Have Fun!!

Written by:

Dr. Keegan

The ABCs of Cosmetic Products: Cutting Through the Clutter to Determine Your Skin’s Needs

By Teresa Zawada, Licensed Aesthetician

Flawless summer skin without layers of make-up seems like a myth, but armed with the right knowledge, you can be even and glowing all while feeling fresh and bare-faced.

Let’s take a mental walk through the beauty aisle.  All of our old friends are there…foundation, concealer, primer, serums and SPF. But lately there’s a new kid on the block that is causing a lot of buzz.  Known as BB cream, (Blemish Balm or Beauty Balm), it’s advertised as the product to replace all your other products. BB promises to act like a foundation all while giving you anti-inflammatory (for you acne sufferers), anti-aging (for everyone), and sun protection (again everyone) with a near weightless feel!  

Sounds too good to be true?  Well, taking a look at the history of BB, you’ll learn that even though it’s in its infancy here in the U.S., BB has been used for over two decades in East and South East Asia (hence the limited shades) for those very reasons, PLUS skin whitening, which was left out of our western formulations. Like many things that lose their meaning in translation, BB also loses valuable properties in some brands, NOT ALL, becoming nothing more than a tinted moisturizer or a perfect primer under a foundation.

Next door to BB, there you have CC cream!  Yes, strolling down the alphabet are the “Color Correcting” creams. The next generation of the BB cream, CCs are known to be lighter, have a wider range of shades, all while having better sun protection and many including light diffusers, brightening skin tone.  CCs are usually sufficient to wear alone, or for added coverage, applied on top of a foundation, rather than the BB, used as a primer.

If you really want to get crazy, just keep going down the alphabet to the…drum roll please…DD Cream!  Yes, with only one formulation on the market, the DD or “Dynamic Do-All,” has the same claims as their lettered counterparts. One main difference is the marketing. Here in the U.S., they’re advertised as “heavy duty body and foot creams” according to CosmeticsDesign.com, where as in the U.K., Julep, the manufacturer of the DD cream, markets it as an all-around facial cream.

So where does it end and what to do?  First of all, DO NOT go and dispose of all the cosmetic products in your arsenal!  First, determine your own skin’s needs. If you’re simply on the dryer side, with no visible correction needed, stick to a tinted moisturizer with SPF or the BB creams. 

Anyone with normal to oily skin with some visible correction needed should aim for the CC.  Any of the above would be convenient for a beach day (remember to reapply the creams for sufficient SPF), when running late, or on a humid summer day.  They’re especially convenient for the woman who doesn’t want an entire regimen. I find that with using the right all-in-one cream, at least you’re getting a little bit of everything in 5 seconds! For the woman who likes to layer products, it’s a great addition to a regimen, or again, it’s available for convenience.

Still unsure about this makeup alphabet stew? Schedule an appointment at WindsorDermatology and we’ll help you determine the right skin regimen for your needs.