Ask the Expert: Summer Skin Care

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The Fall issues of fashion magazines might be hitting newsstands this week but Summer is still going strong.  So while you're drooling over cold-weather duds, chances are you still have a couple trips to the beach planned before temperatures dip.

In the Summer spirit, Stylelist turned to skin care expert Jean-Pierre Mastey—the oh-so-handsome president of Los Angeles-based, men's grooming line Baxter of California—for some end-of-season skincare tips.

What is a summer must-have for good skin?

The most important product is sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays—the rays that cost premature aging, skin cancer and painful sunburns.

Don't forget to put some sunscreen on your hair and scalp—especially if you dye your hair. Not only will the sun strip the color and burn your scalp, but the sun can actually burn the hair itself and change its texture. After you apply sunscreen to your body, just run your fingers through your hair with the extra lotion left on your hands.

What SPF level will save us from the sun? I still get burned even though I put on sunscreen before hitting the beach.

The American Cancer Society recommends using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. More important than the number is the frequency of application. It’s a misconception that people put it on once and you're good to go for a day in the sun. If you’re swimming at the beach or sweating a lot, apply it every hour. Otherwise, you can apply it every two to three hours.

Photo: Courtesy of Baxter of California

What if I look better with a tan? Tan lines can be quite sexy.

A spray tan or a tan that comes out of a tube is the only safe way to tan. It's amazing how much damage the sun can do to your skin. It can cause premature aging like causing ages spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and that rough, leathery look.

I break out a lot during the summer. I feel like I'm going through a second puberty. What am I doing wrong?

Most men have oily skin and during the summer months, the heat and humidity will cause your body to create excess oil and sweat. With the oil slick on your face, all the dirt and oil will cause breakouts, and blemishes. I recommend washing your face a few times a day with a gentle cleanser.

In addition to washing my face in the morning and at night, I like to wash before and after the gym. If I can't make it to my house to wash my face before the gym, I'll use a gentle, alcohol-free toner instead. But don't use any harsh cleansers or your skin will pump out more oil and worsen your skin problems. Keeping your skin clean is the best way to steer clear of breakouts. Using a scrub or a clay mask once or twice a week can also help keep your skin under control.

What about mattifying lotions and blotting tissues for mopping up the oil? Are they any good?

Those are more aesthetic fixes than real skin care solutions, but they do work for those times that you need to make a good impression and you are away from home.

Does skin have different needs during the summer than during the winter months? It seems to act out like a troublesome teen during the warm months.

Yes. In the summer, your skin is oilier and you sweat more, but in the winter, your skin tends to be dryer. So, when its hot, you'll want to use a light, oil-free moisturizer with sunscreen instead of the thicker, balm-like creams that are too heavy. Save those for the winter.