How to Stay Pimple-Free This Summer

When heat and humidity collide, acne can erupt. Here’s how to keep those zits under control so you can feel confident showing skin.

By Grace Gold |

Those gloriously long, sunny summer days have one nasty drawback: the breakouts that sweat and sweltering temps provoke. And as if facial acne isn’t bad enough when the last thing you want to do is cake on makeup, body bumps on the chest, back and bum often emerge just in time for swimsuit season.

“Now that it’s summer, it’s time to put heavier products away and re-strategize your skincare,” says Doris Day, M.D., clinical associate professor of dermatology at New York University Langone Medical Center. “Pimples take a few weeks to form under skin, so you want to start your clear skin habits now to enjoy clear skin all summer,” she adds.

Don’t wait until you break out
“You’ll chase zits all summer if you only treat after acne surfaces,” says Dr. Day. A healthy skin routine should include daily cleansing and exfoliation with a gentle manual scrub or product with an active ingredient like salicylic acid, glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide. The same goes for body areas, which can tolerate higher concentrations. “Don’t stop products altogether when you’re clear. You can scale back a bit but still continue in order to maintain your results,” adds Day.

Mind your hair productsDuring the summer, we all sweat from our scalp more, and that drip transfers hair products to your skin. “I see a lot of acne around the face in patients when it’s hot, and this is a common cause of forehead breakouts,” says Day. Switch to more natural hair care, or skip styling products altogether if you’ll be sweating heavily. And applying acne treatments more generously to the edge of the face can also help, says Day.

Skip spandex, stick to cotton
Between biking, hiking, working out and running, we all tend to be more active during the warm weather months. Trendy synthetic fabrics like spandex that don’t allow skin to breathe can breed acne-causing bacteria on your body. “Stick to cotton and other natural fibers that absorb and aerate sweat to prevent your body from breaking out,” advises Day. Cotton is also your best bet for summer pajamas, as overnight sleep sweat can also cause body breakouts.

Wear less makeupThick foundation and sweat are a pimple-causing duo. Celebrity makeup artist Julianne Kaye recommends using a mattifying primer to help blur imperfections and combat shine followed by a light mineral powder or BB/CC cream for weightless coverage. If you need to mask a zit, spot treat instead of wearing a whole layer of full coverage all over. “Apply a powdered puff in a rocking motion on top of the bump and then tap concealer directly on top so that it has something to hold on to,” explains Kaye. Then set with a final rock of the puff.

Call and talk to your esthetician today and schedule a facial at 831.373.2273 or book online at www.montereydayspa.com


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This Summer's Most Flattering Sunglasses for Your Face Shape

Protect your peepers in these stylish shades designed to balance and flatter your face shape.

By Jacqui Stafford |

As a stylist, I know that the right pair of eyewear can make you look younger, thinner and smarter. Here, the right frames to wear this summer depending on your face shape.
If Your Face Is…Heart ShapedDo you have a broader forehead and cheekbones with a narrow chin? You have a heart-shaped face, like Reese Witherspoon. The key is to broaden the appearance of your chin and bring more proportion to your face. To do this, look for lighter gradient lenses—darker at the top than the bottom. Ombré tinted lenses will downplay your wider forehead while softening the lines of your pointier chin. Super chic aviator styles are a great bet.
Michael by Michael Kors Kai 62mm Aviators, $99
If Your Face Is…Oval ShapedIf you have an oval-shaped face, you've got relatively balanced features. Oval means your face is longer than it is wide, so you can get away with most styles as long as the frames are no wider than the broadest part of your face. Cat-eye styles work brilliantly for you.
Elizabeth and James Cypress Sunglasses, $195
If Your Face Is…Square ShapedGot a strong jawline and broad forehead? Go for frames that are rounded at the edges to soften and balance your face. When you’re trying on frames, look for ones that sit high on your face to downplay the sharpness of your jawline. These expensive-looking, classic frames look great on you and will never go out of style.
Tory Burch 57mm Sunglasses, $149
If Your Face Is…Round ShapedThe key is to add structure. If you have soft curves with a similar width and length, find frames with strong angular lines to add more definition. Stay away from bright colors and instead look for darker shades like black or tortoiseshell to help minimize the fullness of your face. Go for a pair with slightly higher temples to help to create a longer, leaner face shape.
Karen Walker Number One Tortoise Cat’s-Eye Sunglasses, $250


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How to Contour Your Body With Self-Tanner (Infographic)

By Amy Marturana |

The same way you'd highlight and contour your face, you can define and create a slimmed illusion on your body with self-tanner. Sophie Evans, tanning guru at St. Tropez, gives us the details on how to sculpt and define every inch of our bodies with a few sprays of self-tanner.

Illustration by Itzy Ramirez