During the summer months, we like to take a more pared-down approach to many aspects of our lives—and our skincare routines are no exception. But just because we’re aiming for effortless doesn’t mean we’re skipping important steps. To help us address our warm-weather skincare needs and combat some skincare myths with ease, we spoke with 3 of our scouted experts on what treatments to go for and forego in the summer months, trends in skincare they wish would go away and why sunscreen will always reigns supreme on the list of important products.

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Meet the Experts

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Dr. Kristina Collins, a double board certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon who is the co-founder of Austin Skin, an award-winning boutique dermatology practice. Dr. Collins is also the founder and CEO of foy x Dr. Collins, a skin care and V care line that bridges holistic actives and evidence based skin science

Dr. Hudson Frey currently impresses as a facial and reconstructive surgeon at the Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery. Dr. Frey completed his residence in Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. During his training, Dr. Frey performed a wide range of both functional and cosmetic head and neck procedures, and ultimately found his passion in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.

Dr. Brooke Stubbs is a double board-certified Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine physician, with a masters of science degree in Nutrition from Columbia University. She obtained her medical school degree from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in her home town, Lexington, Kentucky, and completed her internal medicine residency at Dell Medical School in Austin, Texas. She moved to Austin in 2014 and is now the founder of a concierge medicine practice, Rooted Femme.

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Sunscreen still (and always will) reign supreme when it comes to skincare routines. Dr. Collins, Frey and Stubbs all provided feedback with the exact same message: sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. Dr. Collins further reminded us to keep in mind that sun protection is key even when going about your normal day and not just on lake days. When she is on the go, she loves the Skinbetter Sunbetter Tone Smart SPF 68…it comes in a compact and gives your skin a little touch up along with a reapplication of sun protection. For an every day facial sunscreen application, Dr. Collins recommends Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection SPF 30 – it goes on light and doesn’t make the skin look oily. For guys, athletes, and others on the go, she also recommend the Skinbetter Sunbetter Sheer SPF 56 Sunscreen Stick which glides on easily and won’t melt in your gym bag. For a tinted SPF, Dr. Stubbs recommends the Alastin Hydraint Tinted SPF and for kids, her go-to products are Supergoop’s Sunny Screen for face and Play Mineral Body Mist for their bodies.

On what skincare trends the experts wish would vanish. Dr. Frey warns us against overdoing it. He emphasizes that many facial cleansing products can be harsh and dry out the skin and advises his patients not to exfoliate more than once weekly. Dr. Collins also warns that likely the most dangerous skincare trends she’s seen involve using devices people get online like Hyaluron pens and at-home micro-needling devices. When she developed her skin care line, foy x Dr. Collins, her goal was to provide people the opportunity to use skin care products designed by a dermatologist, that they can trust to actually have an effect on their skin. Both experts agree that less is more.

On what procedures you should avoid ahead of and during the Summer months. At Buckingham, they love a once to twice yearly treatment with a Halo laser, combined with broad band light. However, they do warn that lasers in the summer months with high exposure is not always the right timing. Austin Skin’s Dr. Collins agrees and adds that anything related to the removal of brown spots and hyper-pigmentation like Melasma treatments right before the summer are not advised, because it’s likely it will return with sun exposure. For Dr. Brooke Stubbs, she notes that chemical peels are also risky for the same reasons. Post-treated skin can be very vulnerable when it comes to damaging skin rays. All agree that regardless of your summer procedures, you should use fierce sun protection following.

On common myths around skincare. Dr. Collins shares that one myth she’d love to kiss goodbye is the need for a super complicated skincare regimen. Rather, she emphasizes that consistency is key. Dr. Stubbs agrees, stating that less is more – too much of mechanical exfoliation will not yield healthier skin. Dr. Frey also adds to avoid introducing multiple products at the same time and encourages us to “think simply” and have a few products you keep with your toothpaste and toothbrush, noting this encourages us to keep it simple, habitual and prioritized.

To get a little more specific…in the morning, Dr. Collins recommends washing your face, applying a serum, applying a moisturizer if your skin is dry, and applying a sunscreen. In the evening, it is a great idea to consider using a retinoid containing product (note: you might have to hold off at times during the summer months because this can make your skin more sensitive to the sun). During the summer, she also emphasizes antioxidants, emollients for hydration, and non-irritating skin savers like hyaluronic acid to her patients.

On their top overall tips for summer skin…

Dr. Collins
1. Always sunscreen or sun protective clothing
2. Focus on hydration (both internally with water and externally with skin care products)
3. Keep Calm and See Your Dermatologist… annual skin check should be the bare minimum

Dr. Frey
1. Sunscreen! “Honestly the most important thing”. And do not forget to apply to your ears.
2. If tolerated, using a retinol based product can have great long term benefits and keep you having a healthy, youthful appearing skin. 
3. Making sure to see a provider if you notice something that is concerning. Catching a skin irregularity early can have a huge impact!

Dr. Stubbs
1. Use a daily SPF
2. Include an antioxidant (like a Vitamin C) and a
3. Once or twice a week (or more if your skin can tolerate it), use a night-time Retinol