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Slathering on a heavy cream when it's 90 degrees outside is like wrapping your skin in a winter coat. A derm says this is the best body lotion for summer.
After three blissful sun and sand drenched days over the Fourth of July, my skin is d-y-i-n-g of thirst. Like, it’s so dry that it legitimately hurts, despite the fact that I was a fairly dedicated SPF user over the course of the weekend. In an attempt to give it the hydration it’s craving, I literally bathed myself in a heavy moisturizing cream this morning after I got out of the shower. And it was a big mistake. Huge. The minute I walked out the door, my entire body was drenched in sweat—it felt like my pores were being suffocated by saran wrap and couldn’t breathe on their own, and the result was an intense bout of overheating. If I thought my dry skin was unpleasant, this was so, so much worse.
And now that I think about it, putting a heavy cream all over my body in the middle of the summer is basically the skin-care equivalent of bundling up in a heavy coat. “What’s key is to choose a lotion or gel, not a cream or ointment,” says board-certified dermatologist Michelle Henry, MD, explaining that while creams are richer and more moisturizing, they’re also more likely to leave behind a film. “Also, consider in-shower moisturizers, which allow you to absorb the moisture while your skin is wet and most susceptible.” These are great because once you get out of the shower, you can just towel off any leftover grease.
“Heavy creams can trap sweat and clog pores, which leads to acne and folliculitis, which is inflammation of the hair follicle,” adds Lily Talakoub, MD, of McLean Dermatology and Skincare. Here, both derms share their picks for summer skin care that won’t leave you looking like the sweaty mess that I did this a.m. You’re welcome.
Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Gel-Cream, Soothing Body Moisturizer for Dry to Atopic Sensitive Skin
Curel Itch Defense Body Moisturizer with Advanced Ceramide Complex, Vitamin E, and Oatmeal Extract
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Moisturizing Gel Cream Non-Greasy & Fast Absorbing, Lightweight Hydrating Body Lotion for Normal to Dry Skin, Fragrance-Free
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