In the morning:
(1) First, apply an antioxidant to neutralize free radicals, which break down collagen. Use a vitamin C-spiked serum because it penetrates better than a thicker lotion. Apply it to clean, dry skin.
(2) Rub on a quarter-size dot of SPF 30 sunscreen (at minimum). Reapply every three hours. Ironically, sun screen is most crucial at the end of the summer when UV indexes peak and most of us slack off.
In the evening:
(3) Surprisingly, you need extra exfoliation in the summer. Sun exposure slows your skin’s natural ability to shed its dead top layer, so you’ll see a duller complexion, more breakouts and a freckly uneven tone. Lather up with a 2 percent salicylic acid wash and leave it on like a mask for 60 seconds.
(4) Then, let your face dry for 5 minutes and apply retinol. Retinoic acid triggers the growth of skin-smoothing collagen and increases cell turnover. You can get prescription-strength Retin-A from your dermatologist or plastic surgeon or use a milder over-the-counter product if your skin is sensitive. If your skin gets red, alternate retinoic acid with a moisturizer.
(5) Finally, UV rays plus chlorine and salt water can leave your skin feeling and looking as dry as it looks in winter. Parched skin also prompts your body to produce more oil (leading to breakouts) and more than doubles the rate of wrinkle formation. Five minutes after applying retinol, slather on a hyaluronic spiked lotion. Hyaluronic acid pulls moisture from the air into the skin and absorbs 1000 times its weight in water.