Most folks look forward to summer for the auspicious changes it guarantees: no school, less clothes, more vacations, beaches, picnics, barbecues, sunbathing, longer days, shorter nights and so forth.

It’s also a time to tweak your skincare regimen to compensate for the changes in humidity, allergen levels and the environment.

We consulted New York City-based Appearance Enhancement Expert Aiyani Mersai for her professional advice on both summertime skincare and the overall year-round maintenance of your biggest organ (easy tiger, we’re still on skin, here).

 

“During the summer the humidity can be helpful if you have dryer skin because there’s moisture in the air already. I would put on something light that will moisturize the face but is also full of humectants which will take moisture from the air and put it into the skin.”

“Conversely, for oily skin, many people think astringents and alcohol-based products help control the extra oiliness. The truth is they’ll dry it out for that day, but then your body freaks out because there’s not enough oil, so it produces more.”

In fact, oils like jojoba (a key ingredient in our own Facial Serum) are better for the treatment of oily skin because they regulate oiliness by mimicking the skin’s own natural grease (sebum). That way, your body doesn’t—in the words of the expert--freak out.

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Ladies and Gentlemen, wear sunscreen.

“SPF is ridiculously important. I use a little math equation. Consider how long it will take you to burn when you walk outside into a normal day. For example, if I walked outside and sat in the park, within 10 minutes I would start to feel hot on my shoulders and forehead without sunscreen. So if I wear SPF 20 that would multiply my time by 20. That means if I can last for 10 minutes without sunblock then I can last for 200 minutes with sunblock. Therefore I would want to reapply every 200 minutes… At least.”

Any time you’re in daylight, whatever the season, go ahead and slather on some sunscreen. UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays are always there.

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And as for that lovely mug of yours, here are a couple of Aiyani’s essential habits:

"The best time to do any protective or corrective repair, is when you’re going to be at rest for the longest. That’s when your body does all its best repair work.

You should always clean your face in the morning and at night before you go to bed. We need to clean off the stuff that’s in the air that we walk around in all day.

Exfoliating is important because we want to make sure we’re sloughing off all the dead skin that we can if we’re going to put on good product otherwise it won’t penetrate and we’re wasting good product."

How often you exfoliate depends on your skin. Only you know how your skin reacts to the abrasives in exfoliant cleansers. I use Kyoku for Men Exfoliating Facial Scrub (available here in the city at Odin) about 5 times a week. For many, that’s too often, but my skin can handle it. Play with your regimen. Experiment. Find out what works for you, and let us know!

And Aiyani’s final bit of wisdom?

"Go get a consultation. Anyone who charges for a consultation is just being silly and greedy in my opinion. Look for people who want to educate you not who just want to put crap on your face and sell you things.

Be comfortable with what you have and then it’s up to you to adjust, alter or add. And after that there’s people like me that can answer your questions and put you in the right direction."

You can find Appearance Enhancement Expert Aiyani Mersai Fridays and Saturdays on the Lower East Side at

Kropps and Bobbers Salon – 212-260-6992 

119 Ludlow St by Delancey                                                             

“Walk-ins are welcome; appointments encouraged.”

****And just for you lovely Brooklyn Grooming blog readers: Go get a facial treatment from Aiyani and receive the second treatment at half price. Tell her Sloan sent ya!****

Enjoy the summer! Beat the heat! And take care of your skin! We’re here to help…