The 6 best tips for summer skin

1. exfoliate for clearer, smoother skin

What it does: Exfoliation removes dead, dull skin particles to prevent congestion and improve hydration with toners and moisturizers.

When: In the morning before applying toner, moisturizer, SPF and makeup. Tip: Makeup lasts longer on exfoliated skin!

And don't forget: Apply a moisturizing body cream after exfoliating to seal in moisture, and always protect freshly exfoliated skin with SPF (as recommended by the FDA).

Recommended: Daily Microfoliant®, moisturizing body cream.

2. moisturize the skin

How: Boost the moisture content of your skincare routine with intensive masks that you can use once or twice a week. Boosters are excellent and work best when applied under a moisturizer. Toners are a refreshing prep for moisturizer and balance out skin porosity. Tip: Refresh at your desk, in the car, at the gym, or on the plane with an invigorating toner splash!

Recommended: Antioxidant HydraMist, Skin Hydrating Booster, Skin Hydrating Masque.

3. make friends with H20

Why: Higher temperatures and more time outdoors lead to internal dehydration, which can lead to headaches and dizzy spells!

What you can do: Eight 8 glasses of plain, filtered water daily will help maintain critical hydration levels in your body and skin, and support detoxification. Tip: If you drink caffeinated beverages, you need to triple the amount of water!

Recommended: Plain and pure water!

4. if in doubt, apply (and reapply!)

Why: It's not enough to apply sunscreen: you need to apply enough, and often. Studies show that most people don't apply nearly as much daylight protection as they should.

How much? A teaspoon for the face. For the body, about as much as you can fit in a shot glass.

How often: reapply every two hours. Tip: Stay out of the midday sun from mid-morning until late afternoon whenever you can.

Bonus: Today's sophisticated formulas and technologies allow you to choose a sunscreen that's customized to your skin condition. That means you can opt for oil-free, mattifying formulas, extra-softening formulas for dry skin, or chemical-free formulas for sensitive, reactive skin.

Recommended: Oil Free Matte SPF30, Super Sensitive Shield SPF30.

5. soothes excessively stressed skin

What: You forgot sunscreen, didn't apply enough, or got caught in the sun.

What'snext. Unfortunately, the damage is done, but you don't have to suffer in pain! Soothing botanicals and cooling gels can help prevent peeling and soothe redness and inflammation.

How? Apply cooling balms generously to exposed skin, preferably at the first sign of a pink glow.

Prevent: A single sunburn doubles your risk of melanoma - remember to have your skin examined by a doctor annually and perform a self-exam once a month to detect early warning signs of carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Watch for a new growth or skin change.

Recommended: After Sun Repair.

6. repair and treat sun damage

What Damages Skin: UV light causes photoaging in the form of brown spots, rough skin, and wrinkles, whether you've burned your skin or not. When sunlight comes into contact with the skin, it causes a cascade of damage (including the shedding of barrier lipids) that leads to inflammation, the production of reactive oxygen molecules that interfere with healthy cell growth, and the stimulation of collagen-destroying enzymes.

What to do? While a tan is a popular summer look, it does indicate damage. Bombard your skin with age-fighting ingredients to reverse any damage and further protect it from the aging effects of UV radiation.

Recommendation: Power Rich™, MultiVitamin Power Recovery® Masque.