- Boots Pharmacist and Boots Beauty Specialist look at how warmer weather can impact the skin
- Experts also offer advice on how to manage common skin conditions acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis, or their appearance, this summer.
Now that summer holidays abroad are in full swing and the temperatures are rising again this week, it may be time to consider mixing up skincare routines, especially for those who have a skin condition like acne, rosacea, psoriasis or eczema.
Boots has brought together its unique blend of experts from health and beauty to help. Boots Pharmacist Karen Shaw and Boots Beauty Specialist Leanna Zaman were recently joined by skincare influencer and writer, Rose Gallagher, to answer the most searched for summer skincare questions on Google.1
Rose said: “It’s been great getting together with health and beauty experts at Boots to answer commonly asked questions on summer skincare. Some people may find that they need to adapt their skincare routine according to the season. From my own experience with rosacea, I know that heat and sunlight can trigger flare ups and I need to take even more care with my skincare during these months.”
Here are the top questions Rose put to Karen and Leanna. The full discussion is also available to watch on the Boots YouTube channel.
Q: Which SPF should I be using during the summer?
Karen: “We should all be using sunscreen all year round with a minimum of SPF30 to protect our skin from sun damage, but in the summer months we may actually consider upping that to SPF40 or 50. It is also important you use a broad-spectrum sunscreen which covers both UVA and UVB.”
Leanna: “Add an SPF to the end of your daily morning skincare routine, even if your moisturiser or foundation contains SPF.”
Q: How can I prevent acne breakouts in the summer?
Leanna: “To help avoid an acne breakout cleanse daily and exfoliate the skin once or twice a week, depending on how sensitive your skin is. The CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser is great because its lightweight gel formula contains salicylic acid to tackle blemishes. You could also try the new Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Blemish Dots to target appearance of spots.”
Karen: “If you’re concerned about your acne or acne breakouts, come and speak to your pharmacist as there are topical treatments available at Boots including pharmacy medicines, like those that contain benzoyl peroxide. This works as an antiseptic to reduce the number of bacteria on the surface of the skin.”
Q: Why does my eczema flare up in the heat?
Karen: “Some eczema sufferers may find their symptoms get worse during the summer because the air is warm, dry and dusty. Sweating can also exacerbate symptoms. There are products that can help ease symptoms. Use an emollient daily to help keep skin moisturised or a steroid cream to help with an eczema flare-up. Sometimes antihistamines can help with itching too.”
Leanna: “Look out for products which are hypoallergenic as these are suitable for sensitive skin. For example, the Vichy Hyaluronic Acid Serum is hypoallergenic and is great for hydrating and plumping the skin, it’s one of my staples.”
Q: Why does the sun make my rosacea worse?
Karen: “The sun can make rosacea flare up so it’s important to use a gentle broad-spectrum sunscreen throughout the day and keep reapplying it. Try to avoid heat, direct sunlight and humid conditions if possible.”
Q: Does hyperpigmentation get worse during the summer?
Karen: “Yes, several things can trigger hyperpigmentation, but sun damage is one of the biggest factors, which is why the appearance of hyperpigmentation may increase during summer. Hormonal changes, ageing and past inflammation like acne can also be possible causes of hyperpigmentation.”
Leanna: “For your sunscreen, try the Soltan Age Defence SPF 30, it contains hyaluronic acid to moisturise and reduce appearance of fine lines. For an SPF that targets dark spots, try Eucerin Anti-Pigment Face Cream SPF30.”
Q: Why do I experience less psoriasis symptoms in the summer?
Karen: “Psoriasis is caused by increased production of skin cells which shows up as dry patches of skin. The patches can sometimes look red or pink on brown, black and white skin, and the scales white or silvery. On brown and black skin, the patches can also look purple or dark brown, and the scales can look grey. In the summer, people with psoriasis are exposed to more natural ultra-violet light than they are at other times of the year. and this can help their symptoms. Salt water can also help, and this is why you may notice an improvement after a summer holiday.”
Leanna: “You could use something like the Dr JartCicapair Serum to help reduce the appearance of any redness you may experience. The green concealer in the NYX Professional Makeup Colour Correcting Palette is also great for balancing out any redness.”
Boots has shared its top picks for your summer skincare routine*:
- E45 Dermatological Emollient Wash Cream, £5.89
- Boots Dermacare Daily Moisturising Cream, £9
- Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Blemish Dots, £4
- Vichy Hyaluronic Acid Serum, £35
- NYX Professional Make Up Colour Correcting Palette, £12.99
- Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Serum, £41
- Boots SPF+ Hyaluronic Acid SPF50, £8
- CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser, £13
- Soltan Age Defence SPF30, £10
- Eucerin Anti-Pigment Face Cream SPF 30, £28
Boots Dermacare is a range of topical skin products which have been created to help people manage the symptoms of a variety of skin conditions, including dry skin, eczema, rosacea and psoriasis.
The Boots Health Hub also offers a variety of services and access to the Boots Online Doctor Service** for treatments for conditions such as psoriasis, acne, eczema and rosacea.
*These products are not endorsed or recommended by the pharmacist.
** Access to treatment is subject to an online consultation with a clinician to assess suitability. Subject to availability. Charges apply