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8 worst summer skin care mistakes you need to stop making

Get the secrets to protecting your skin from sun damage.

Updated on February 23, 2023

woman with peeling skin on shoulder
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Your skin can take a beating in the summertime. Between beach trips, barbecues, and other outdoor activities, long days outdoors can exacerbate sun damage and wrinkles and raise your risk of developing skin cancer. But there are ways you can protect yourself.

Here are eight summer skin care mistakes you should avoid, plus tips for safeguarding your skin all season long.

woman choosing sunscreen at store
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You don’t choose the right sunscreen

You know you should apply sunscreen before heading outside, but are you choosing the right sun protection factor (SPF)? High SPFs offer only slightly better protection than those with a lower number. “Sunscreens level off after SPF 45,” says Jeanine Downie, MD, a dermatologist in Montclair, NJ.&Show More

woman in hat reapplying sunscreen at beach
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You don’t reapply your sunscreen

Don’t be fooled: a high level of SPF can trick you into believing you can stay outside longer, increasing your chances of skin damage and skin cancer. But in fact, high-SPF sunscreen lasts the same amount of time as low-SPF sunscreen. 

Make sure to reapply your sunscreen around every two hours,Show More

clouds in the sky
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You count on the clouds

Venturing outside when it’s overcast doesn’t mean you’re safe from the sun’s harmful rays. UVA rays—the ones associated with damaging and prematurely aging skin—reach your skin at any time of the year, even on cloudy days through rain and fog. It’s possible to get sunburned by UVB rays, too, whenShow More

man applying chapstick or lip balm outdoors
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You skip the spot check

In a rush to get outdoors, it can be easy to miss a few spots when applying sunscreen. Commonly missed areas include the back of your knees, feet, hands, and ears. "These places get sunburned very easily when neglected," says Downie.

Other places to make sure you cover are your nose, the back ofShow More

nails scratching back
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You scratch stings and bites

Bugs are as common to summer as backyard cookouts, and their bites can itch like crazy. It’s best to resist the temptation to scratch, since it may break the skin and increase your risk of infection. 

There’s a solution: For stings, use a fingernail or credit card to scrape away any remainingShow More

woman walking in flip flops
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You forget your feet

Flip-flops and sandals go well with shorts and summer dresses, but they may not be the wisest option for protecting your feet. Hanging out all day in support-free footwear can spread out the pad of your heels and crack the skin. Open-back shoes also expose the delicate skin on your feet to the air,Show More

apply sunscreen child
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You get lax with kids’s sun protection

It can be a battle trying to apply sunscreen to squirmy little ones, but it’s certainly worth the hassle. One bad sunburn during childhood can double your child’s chances of developing melanoma as an adult.

For kids over the age of six months, try making a game of it. Let kids “paint” each otherShow More

woman putting on makeup
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You misuse makeup

Your pores open up when you sweat, leaving them susceptible to dirt, oil, and makeup. Layering on powder or foundation in the summer heat can promote breakouts and blackheads. If you're prone to acne, "wearing makeup while you sweat can aggravate it," says Downie.

Rethink your summer routine. IfShow More

Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

American Academy of Dermatology Association. Sunscreen FAQs. Page last updated September 7, 2022. 
Lyons AB, Trullas C, Kohli I, et al. Photoprotection beyond ultraviolet radiation: A review of tinted sunscreens. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021;84(5):1393-1397.
The Skin Cancer Foundation. Sunburn and Your Skin. Page last reviewed May 2021.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation and Sun Exposure. Page last updated July 14, 2022. 
Venosa, Ali. 5 Sneaky Ways You’re Being Exposed to the Sun’s UV Rays. The Skin Cancer Foundation. June 21, 2022.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun. Page last reviewed December 16, 2022.
Cleveland Clinic. Actinic Cheilitis. Page last reviewed May 13, 2022.
The Skin Cancer Foundation. You Missed a Spot! Lower Your Skin Cancer Risk by Protecting These Often-Missed Areas. August 24, 2018.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mosquito Bite Symptoms and Treatments. Page last reviewed March 6, 2020. 
Sánchez M, González-Burgos E, Iglesias I, et al. Pharmacological Update Properties of Aloe Vera and its Major Active Constituents. Molecules. 2020;25(6):1324. 
Johns Hopkins Medicine. The Danger of Insect Stings. Accessed on February 2, 2023. 
Mayo Clinic. Bee Sting. Page last reviewed August 18, 2022. 
American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to Care for Dry, Cracked Heels. Page last updated January 31, 2022. 
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Should You Put Sunscreen on Infants? Not Usually. Page last reviewed August 24, 2021.
American Academy of Dermatology Association. 12 Summer Skin Problems You Can Prevent. Accessed on February 2, 2023.

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