JP: I wouldn’t want to start anywhere else! While most understand the importance of sunscreen, fewer understand what truly defines superior protection. This gap prevents people from fully leveraging what can arguably be the most effective, cost-effective, and simplest skincare measure to implement. I say “can be” because not all sunscreens are created equal. Here’s what you should look for in the ideal sunscreen for your face:

• Broad Spectrum Protection: Ensure the sunscreen provides broad-spectrum protection, covering both UVB rays (which cause sunburn) and UVA (which contribute to premature aging and skin cancer)
• SPF Rating of 45 or higher
• Water Resistant: This isn’t just important for swimming. Sweat can strip away your protection just as effectively as taking a dip in the pool.
• Consistency: Aerosol sunscreens, while convenient, are spotty and often leave random areas exposed and vulnerable to the sun. Stick to creams or lotions for the best protection.

JP:My tried-and-true for serious sun protection is SkinBetter Tone Smart SPF 75, which I rely on for any extended time outdoors. If I were to pick just one product to protect my skin every day for the rest of my days, that would be it (and it has been for years). I have recently added a second sunscreen option to my routine on days when my sun exposure is intermittent—moving in and out of the sun—Colorescience’s Sunforgettable Face Shield Flex SPF 50. It’s an excellent choice that ticks all the boxes but also serves as high-quality makeup, perfect for maintaining a polished look. I particularly enjoy blending their Flex and their Glow formulations, which give a dewy, sun-kissed effect that masters the barely-there-makeup look.

JP: I’m a big fan of powder sunscreen under specific circumstances…A good rule of thumb is that if your time under the sun will exceed your time out of it, stick to traditional creams or lotions, even for reapplication. For days when you are out and about running errands, as long as you have applied a protective solid foundational layer, powder sunscreen is not only practical but highly effective. Its ease of use encourages frequent reapplication, significantly boosting its effectiveness.

JP: There absolutely is!

1. Skincare
2. Sunscreen
3. Everything else

In the industry, we often say, “hug your skincare with your sunscreen.” By applying sunscreen directly after your skincare, it not only forms the most effective protective barrier but also enhances the durability and appearance of your makeup. It’s a win-win for both protection and aesthetics!

The Injury:The skin barrier acts as a protective shield, keeping beneficial elements in and harmful ones out. When it’s intact, your skin remains balanced. Damage to this barrier disrupts this balance, leading to skin issues dictated by your lifestyle, history, and genetics.

The Recovery: What we are trying to do following damage to the skin barrier is epair and Restore

Immediate actions to take:

• Rehydrate: Ensure your skin is adequately hydrated (drink water).
• Reduce Heat and Inflammation: Cool down the skin with a cool bath or apply a cool compress, eye mask, or ice roller.
• Soothe: Use products with minimal ingredients. Pure aloe vera, especially chilled from the fridge, is excellent for its soothing and healing properties. 
• Moisturize: Choose a gentle, water-based moisturizer with minimal ingredients. Products like Avene Cicalfate are beneficial for restoring and soothing irritated skin. Incorporating Hyaluronic acid can also help draw moisture into the skin layers.
• Be Gentle: Pause aggressive treatments like retinol and exfoliants. Your anti-aging regimen can wait until your skin has healed, typically about a week. Our skin can be tricky sometimes. It may appear as though it is “back to normal” when, in fact, the deeper layers are still repairing. I always recommend testing products on a small skin area before reintroducing them. Any signs of redness or irritation suggest restoration is still in process and more time is needed.
• Protect: Keep the sunburned area out of the sun until fully healed.
• Repair: Once inflammation has subsided, enhance your skincare routine with ingredients that strengthen the skin barrier. Look for products containing ceramides, squalane, and niacinamide.

JP: Of course! I love Skin Better Trio Rebalancing Moisturizer (pictured) and Colorescience Barrier Pro Essential Moisturizer most for reparation and rebalancing. These products include many of the ingredients mentioned above without feeling “heavy.” Skinbetter’s Mystro Active Balance Serum is another excellent product for reparation with added properties that help with skin texture, dullness, redness, pores and pigmentation.

It’s important to remember that while the formulation is crucial for a product’s effectiveness, personal factors like lifestyle, habits, and skin type also play a significant role in determining the best skincare for you. You don’t need all these products—especially if having too many options might prevent consistency in your reparation routine. Find what works for you!

JP: Not necessarily. While summer might be a good time to take a break from hydroquinone (which isn’t meant for prolonged use anyway), other commonly questioned products like retinol and exfoliants don’t necessarily need to be set aside just because the sun is out. Regular skincare assessments in response to environmental, climate, or lifestyle changes are always beneficial.

To decide whether a summer skincare swap is right for you, consider the following:

• Do the products in my routine contain ingredients that increase my skin’s vulnerability to the sun, such as retinol, chemical exfoliants, or treatments for hyperpigmentation?
• Does my skin react to increased sun exposure, heat, or higher temperatures? Am I prone to skin issues that worsen with sun or heat exposure?
• Does my lifestyle change significantly in the summer? Am I engaging in activities that expose me to more sun? Do I usually know 24 hours in advance if I’ll be spending extended time outdoors, which might allow me to modify my skin routine the night before/in time to reduce sensitivity?

If you answered yes to any of these, you might want to take a short break from retinol and stronger exfoliants, particularly the chemical ones, and bring in something that caters to your specific skin needs, which usually includes amplifying hydration.

JP:  Hydration is essential for summer skin. When our skin is adequately hydrated, its layers remain healthy and function correctly, protecting against environmental factors. However, when our skin becomes dehydrated, it becomes susceptible to issues like rashes, acne, and eczema. The sun, saltwater, and chlorine can all dry out our skin, and ironically, we often moisturize less in the summer because we don’t feel dry. It’s important to remember that sweat and hydration are not the same!

JP: Absolutely! I love and live by the SkinBetter Even Tone Correcting Cream. It hydrates effectively while helping to even out skin tone. Additionally, a good, water-based moisturizer with minimal ingredients, such as the Avene Cicalfate, is a staple in my collection for its simplicity and effectiveness.
As far as hydration hacks go, there are three things that I would shout from rooftops if I could!

Humidifier: Many overlook the benefits of a humidifier, especially in humid climates like Florida. Despite the external humidity, air conditioning and ceiling fans can significantly dry indoor air. A humidifier indoors can help counteract these drying effects, providing a moisture boost even when avoiding the sun.

Cleansing is Crucial: A well-cleansed face is essential for letting replenishing skincare and moisture really penetrate. Consider double cleansing, especially in summer when SPF can be challenging to remove.

Ice Roller: An ice roller is fantastic for reducing morning puffiness and refreshing the skin.

JP: This really depends on your lifestyle. All resurfacing treatments will increase sun vulnerability to some extent and require a recovery period consisting of two phases: First, a period of no sun exposure followed by limited sun exposure. Whether or not a resurfacing treatment is a good idea, regardless of the time of year, depends on your ability to adhere to the recovery time and instructions.
The most common clinical treatments and their required downtime:

Micro-needling, microdermabrasion, and derma planning: No sun 3-4 days / Limited sun 3-4 days

Chemical Peels: No sun: 1-2 weeks / Limited sun: about 1 week

Laser Resurfacing Treatments: No sun: 1 week/ Limited sun: 1 week

JP: The Hydrafacial and the Lunchtime Peel are great summer skin treatments. Post-treatment sensitivity is considerably less and there is no significant “downtime “recovery.”

The HydraFacial is a non-invasive treatment that combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration, and antioxidant protection in a single session with immediate results and no downtime. Particularly great for fine lines, hyperpigmentation, acne, and dehydration. 

The Lunchtime Peel is a mild chemical peel named for its ability to be performed during a lunch break. It requires minimal to no downtime and quickly rejuvenates the skin by encouraging cell turnover and addressing minor concerns like dullness, fine lines, uneven skin tone, and mild acne.

JP: There is!  The Aqua Glow Infusion is perfect for instant radiance. This treatment involves a small vial filled with a customized serum tailored to the patient’s needs. Some common ingredients in this formulation include hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, and small quantities of Botox. The solution is stamped onto the skin, offering outstanding results for special events. You’ll experience radiance with no downtime, just a slight pinkness that subsides within an hour.

JP: Absolutely! We get some pore size reduction, texture improvements, and skin dewiness. Most clients notice the boost for up to 3 months post-treatment. However, we don’t call it the “Red Carpet Facial” for no reason. Its best effects are shortly after!

JP: It’s business as usual for injectables. In fact, Botox is particularly beneficial during the summer when exaggerated facial movements in response to the sun can create deeper lines. My post-treatment advice remains the same as always; avoid strenuous exercise and direct sunlight immediately following treatment as the heat can cause a bit more inflammation, swelling, and bruising due to increased blood flow.

Botox Bonus: Botox and other neuromodulators can effectively treat excessive sweating, especially in the hands and underarms. 

JP: Absolutely! There are several ways to optimize the effectiveness of your injectables, but it’s essential to address the most significant factor: metabolism. While genetics partly dictates metabolism, those with particularly active lifestyles and higher metabolic rates will break down their injectables more quickly, reducing their effectiveness. Unfortunately, there’s no way around that.

Now, for best practices: I always recommend patients refrain from vigorous physical activity and avoid direct sun and heat exposure after treatment. Heat increases blood flow, which can impact swelling and bruising. Between treatments, focus on sun protection, hydration, and a comprehensive skincare regimen that includes vitamin C and retinol. This will help maintain your injectables and protect your investment. Additionally, for Botox, zinc supplements have been proven to help it take effect more quickly and extend its duration.

JP: This is another one I want to shout from the rooftops! I get it, it’s hot out, and you sweat. But ladies, sweat or no sweat, unless you are under 20, powdered products are not your friend! Powder makeup will settle into even the finest lines—lines you didn’t even know you had! What you really want is sweat-proof makeup and a lightweight setting powder.

JP: This is another one I want to shout from the rooftops! I get it, it’s hot out, and you sweat. But ladies, sweat or no sweat, unless you are under 20, powdered products are not your friend! Powder makeup will settle into even the finest lines—lines you didn’t even know you had! What you really want is sweat-proof makeup and a lightweight setting powder.

Pro tip: Keep Avene Thermal Springwater Spray in your purse or car. A quick spritz will refresh and rejuvenate your skin if you’re feeling dry, tight, or hot.

Parting Words: Ladies, the best makeup is the makeup you don’t have to wear. Your skincare efforts and investments should aim to get your skin to its optimal potential, and no matter what your age, once there, I promise you, you’ll find yourself reaching for that full-coverage foundation less and less.

JP: Thank YOU! This was so fun! And yes I would love to come back! To find me: