St. Croix Valley Dermatologists Weigh in with the Best Ways to Protect Your Skin

We’ve all heard it’s important to wear sunscreen during sunny summer days. According to dermatologists at Forefront Dermatology in Hudson and Advanced Dermatology Care in Stillwater, sunscreen isn’t the only preventative care we need. “Sunscreen is just a screen, and so, combining various sun protection methods gives better results,” Olaf J. Rustad, M.D., of Advanced Dermatology Care says. Wide-brimmed hats and protective clothing like long-sleeved shirts are an extra safeguard against damaging UV rays.

Eric Marsh, M.D., from Forefront Dermatology also reminds sun-lovers not to forget about their eyes. “While the skin may be the body’s largest organ, your eyes are the second most UV-affected organ.” Make sure you’re wearing those UVA and UVB-blocking sunglasses.

Blame sweat for summer breakouts. “Humidity and sweat slow down the skin’s natural exfoliating process, clogging pores and often leading to breakouts,” Dr. Rustad says. So give your skin a little extra care by exfoliating to keep your pores clear.

Although the sun may feel great, it’s best to stay out of the sun when the UV rays are the strongest between 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Reflective surfaces can cause sunburn, so watch out for water and sand. If you do get sunburned, use cool compresses along with an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen and a little aloe. And stay hydrated!