Today’s Question: It’s been so hot out this summer and I’m getting so oily. What can I do to keep my makeup and skin looking fresh? Penelope, Winona Lake
A. Penelope, summer is the time to lighten up your makeup for a more natural, fresh-faced look. However, with the crazy heat and humidity we have been experiencing it’s easy for that minimal makeup look to create a maximum oil spill you could cook a pork chop on! Not exactly the cute summery look you were going for. You want to look nice for the barbecue, not be the barbecue.
Here are a few ideas to try that will help you have a shine-free summer:
1. Switch Up Your Cleanser
If you find your skin feeling greasy by lunch and your pores looking clogged from oil, dirt and sweat, consider switching to a cleanser with salicylic or lactic acid. These cleansers will help exfoliate your clogged pores and dissolve extra oil.
Try Obagi’s CLENZIderm Daily Care Foaming Cleanser or Neova’s Radiant Skin Cleanser.
2. Check Your Sunscreen
Change up your sunscreen to a zinc-based one with at least a 30 SPF. Zinc won’t cause excess oil production or clog pores that can lead to breakouts like some sunscreens can.
Try Obagi’s Sun Shield SPF 50.
3. Lighten Up Your Moisturizer
Summer is a great time to switch up your morning routine to include an oil-free moisturizer with SPF. It saves time, money and your skin. Your skin will have weightless protection without any feeling of sunscreen. Another great option to consider, Penelope, is a tinted moisturizer. They provide sheer coverage with SPF protection perfect for a summer picnic.
Try PCA’s Weightless Protection SPF 45 or jane iredale’s Dream Tint.
4. Use A Primer
Primers are an often skipped step in the morning. Much like flossing your teeth, you know you should do it every day, but you just don’t always make the time for it. By using a primer underneath your foundation, it will help your makeup last longer, achieve a smoother complexion and minimize your pores. If you are exceptionally oily, I recommend you look for a primer that also includes silica that will help absorb the oil and control those over-active sebaceous glands.
Try jane iredale’s Smooth Affair Facial Primer & Brightener or jane iredale’s Absence Oil Control Primer.
5. Flip Your Foundation
If you typically reach for a liquid foundation, but find that you are looking a little more greasy than dewy like J.Lo, you might want to switch to a BB cream or a pressed powder mineral foundation. A BB cream will give you the same feel as a liquid foundation, but it contains added benefits to minimize pores and wrinkles and function as a concealer. Some BB creams also contain an SPF and moisturizer, so it’s a great multi-tasking product to give you more time on the lake than in front of your mirror.
Try jane iredale’s Glow Time Mineral BB Cream or jane iredale’s PurePressed Base.
Penelope, don’t let your shiny face slip you up this summer. Try these suggestions and you should be on your way to a matte mug in no time. If you have any questions about your skin care regime, be sure to talk with your medical skin care specialist.
Jennifer Kauffman is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner, practicing in Warsaw and Ft. Wayne. She is a sought after speaker at medical conferences such as the American Academy of Plastic Surgeons. Jennifer is a member of American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Coalition of Advance Practice Nurses of Indiana. She received her Nursing and Nurse Practitioner degrees from Goshen College, and Indiana Wesleyan University. Jennifer is a Clinical Instructor nationally to physicians and nurses on sclerotherapy.
Do you have a question for Jennifer, about this article or another cosmetic skin care issue? Please call Vein Institute & Medical Spa at 574-267-1900 to have your questions answered and considered for future columns. Questions can also be submitted online at www.veinmedicalspa.com.
