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Four common skin concerns, and how to solve them

From sunburn to acne breakouts: celebrity facialist Jocelyn Petroni weighs in

By Team BEAUTYcrew

December 05 2022

There's plenty to love about summer: long days, beach dips, breezy cotton dresses and glowing, sun-kissed skin, to name just a few. But the season doesn't come without its own set of beauty problems.

Below, Sydney facialist Jocelyn Petroni, who tends to the million-dollar visages of supermodels including Miranda Kerr and Megan Gale, shares her prevention and treatment recommendations.

#1: Acne breakouts

"One of the main reasons people can experience breakouts in the summer is from sunscreen, due to excess build-up of dead skin cells and sebum (oil) that leads to bacteria growth. The best way to tackle these breakouts is to ensure you double cleanse and thoroughly exfoliate your skin," explains Petroni.

"Maintaining exfoliation helps to prevent breakouts, unclog pores and release any congestion from the skin that may be caused by sunscreen. I recommend looking for an exfoliator that is dense with small granules so that it can lift away dry dead skin cells, and remove impurities and build up from within our pores." FYI, the Aesop In Two Minds Facial Cleanser ($55 at Adore Beauty) is a winning formula for giving your face a fresh start.

Aesop In Two Minds Facial Cleanser

#2: Sunburn

"After summer, particularly in our harsh Australian climate, sun damage is visible in almost every single individual," says Petroni.

"Sun damage presents itself in many ways and at different stages after sun exposure. The skin can become red, pigmentation becomes more visible, pores are more visible (due to the increase in oil production from warmth), and skin can become more oily and dehydrated."

"Straight after sun exposure, apply a soothing and hydrating product to help counteract the dehydration and heat damage—look for ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile. Aloe vera can be broken straight off the plant and rubbed directly onto the skin. It's a little sticky, but a beautiful soothing and hydrating remedy for sun burn. If you buy aloe vera gel, keep it in the fridge for added cooling benefits."

"I also love Bioderma's Sensibio Soothing Mask ($35.73 at Care to Beauty), which helps to intensely moisturise and soothe overheated and sun damaged skin. It instantly helps reduce tingling, redness and overheating sensations."

Bioderma Sensibio Mask

#3: Hyperpigmentation

"When it comes to pigmentation caused from sun damage, prevention is definitely much easier than treatment! So it's essential that you wear a product with very high sun protection every day, regardless of your intended sun exposure."

"To help fade visible pigmentation at home look for products that contain AHA's and BHA's in a percentage of no less than 5%. Ingredients like lactic and glycolic fruit acids (from milk and sugar cane respectively) are most efficient in breaking up pigmentation." Give the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum ($136 at MECCA) a go!

"Beauty therapists can also help to treat and fade epidermal (surface) pigmentation with peels and topical skin treatments that contain active ingredients like glycolic acid, Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Most topical pigmentation treatments require night time use only as they can make your skin sun (photo) sensitive, and SPF must be worn during the day." We recommend working the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum ($72 at Sephora) into your routine.

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night serum

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum

#4: Dryness

"Summer weather produces excess oil, but can also create dehydration and dryness in the skin. Excess oil needs to be cleaned out and hydrating ingredients need to be put back in. Long term dehydration can create a leathery textured skin that lacks fresh plump hydrated skin cells," explains Petroni.

"For home use, I recommend a B2 serum, and for an in-office treatment, ask your facialist about Omnilux. Omnilux light therapy deeply hydrates the skin and counteracts sun damage. It stimulates a healing response in the skin plumping and rejuvenating dehydrated, sun damaged skin cells."

For maximum hydration, try layering the Ultraceuticals Ultra B2 Hydrating Serum ($103 at David Jones) with the Lancôme Énergie De Vie Sleeping Mask ($92 at Myer).