So Long, Summer Breakouts!

After a day out in the sun, have you ever come home to find your face (and body) speckled with red bumps? You may think that they are pimples, but according to Washington, D.C.-based dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, these breakouts are simply raised spots caused by heat rash or an allergic reaction to your sunscreen. 

To get rid of these spots, Dr. Tanzi suggests exfoliating both your face and body. "Exfoliation will help because pores get clogged with debris and sweat in the summer. Ingredients like retinol and glycolic acids are great exfoliators but cause slightly increased sun sensitivity—be sure to use a good sunscreen too." 

What if you're getting a lot of spots of your face? "If the bumps happen on the face, your sunscreen is probably to blame," Dr. Tanzi explains. "There are two types of sunscreen, chemical and physical. Those with chemicals like avobenzone and cinnamates can cause allergic bumps. Physical sunscreens contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and bounce the suns rays away rather than absorbing them. The chemical ingredients have a greater risk of irritation which is why I recommend using sunscreen with zinc only," says Dr. Tanzi.

So there you have it! Make sure you check the ingredients in your sunscreen before heading to the beach.