The mercury is rising, which means your skin could start behaving like an angsty teenager. According to dermatologist Jeannette Graf, M.D., our skin changes with the weather because the level of relative humidity in the air. Which means that the amount of humidy influences the amount of moisture your skin takes in, which means dry skin will be less dry, combination skin will be more oily and oily skin gets even oilier.

Summer Skin Issue: You’re Shiny
That oily shine is caused by sebum, which is your skin’s number one defense mechanism. Sebum is naturally high in vitamin E and offers key antioxidant protection, which is exactly what your skin needs the most during the summer.

Dr. Graf suggests using a gentle, pH-balanced facial cleanser twice a day. A harsh cleanser can disrupt your skin’s protective barrier, sending your sebum protection into overdrive, which will exacerbate the problem. Blot excess shine as needed with blotting papers to sop up shine without smearing your makeup.

If you’re prone to oiliness, you may want to avoid starchy or sugary foods. Studies have shown that spikes in blood sugar can affect your hormones, leading to more active oil glands. To keep blood sugar levels regulated, doctors advise eating protein and fiber at each meal.

Summer Skin Issue: Sunburn
You should know by now that there is no safe tan. Any sun damage absolutely increases your risk of skin cancer, says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., a dermatologist and spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology. We all should faithfully apply the SPF every day of the year. Apply it all over, as soon as you get out of the shower in the morning, before getting dressed to avoid missing spots, advises Dr. Graf.

If you do happen to slip up and forget a crucial reapplication and find yourself sunburned, then try Dr. Hirsch’s favorite "cheap and old” remedy: Stir together one part whole milk with one part water, soak a washcloth in the mixture, then apply it wherever you need relief. Whole milk contains protein, which takes the sting out. It also contains lactic acid, which promotes healing. “It works unbelievably well. You’ll feel like a new human being!”
Summer Skin Issue: Dark Spots
You now that know you'll need to wear your sunscreen every day. Not only does this help prevent skin cancer but, you’ll also stave off the irregular darkening that can come with a tan. If you wax your lip regularly, then that area of skin can tend to hyperpigment from sun exposure. You’ll also see this around your hairline and anywhere you have blemishes, especially if you have a darker skin tone to begin with. It’s a myth that women of color don’t need to worry about this.  Everyone gets darker in the sun!

You can prevent dark patches by layering trouble spots with a concealer containing SPF in addition to your usual sunscreen, which provides a total block. If you crave a little summer glow, fake it with bronzer or a spray-on tan, which can provide more even coverage.

If dark patches do crop up frequently, see your dermatologist, who can figure out if you have an underlying hormonal issue causing melasma, or chronic discoloration of the skin, particularly on sun-exposed areas. This is especially common among pregnant women or women taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy. Your doctor may also be able to treat the darkened area with a professional skin bleaching treatment or cream.

Summer Skin Issue: Heat Rash
Many people develop skin rashes during the summer months. Heat rash, which looks like lots of little red pinpricks, can pop up whenever you get hot and sweaty. The good news is that it’s usually temporary and always benign. There’s no infection and it's common condition you see on newborn babies because they’re not yet quite able to regulate their body temperatures.

Your solution? Cool off with loose-fitting cotton clothing, plenty of water and plenty  of air conditioning. Changing out of sweaty clothing as soon as possible to keep skin cool and dry. To soothe itching, you can also use cortisone cream or aloe vera juices.  If the skin is tender, you see whiteheads or if the heat rash is spreading, it’s a good idea to get it checked by a doctor.

Summer Skin Issue: Back Acne
Many individuals battle a little bit of back acne year-round but, tank-top season sure makes you more aware of it. Plus, hot and sweaty weather can make existing back acne worse or introduce the problem even if you’ve never dealt with it before. For starters, change your clothes whenever you work up a sweat. A lot of women live in their yoga clothes because they’re so comfortable, but having that sweat-soaked fabric on your skin all day is a surefire recipe for breakouts.

Next, shelve your usual body wash until fall then switch to one containing salicylic acid, which will treat and prevent blemishes. And don’t just lather up: “I tell patients to get a big pump bottle, spray it on the shower wall, and rub your back up against it,” explains Dr. Hirsch. “Then let it sit on your skin for five minutes while you finish the rest of your shower so the salicylic acid has time to work.”

Summer Skin Issue: Ingrown Hairs
If it’s been a while since you last hit the beach, it may have also been a while since you last got serious about hair removal. This in itself is a problem, because skin is most vulnerable to ingrowns and redness when it’s out of practice. If you want to be hair free anywhere this summer, start shaving or waxing early in the season, to give your skin a chance to toughen up. Exfoliate your skin the day before you get waxed and apply Neosporin afterward to minimize redness. Then exfoliate regularly, in order to prevent ingrown hairs .  Exfoliate after a day or two after, in order to give your skin time to bounce back from the shock. Remember that sweating will make ingrown hairs worse, therefore change out of workout clothes and wet bathing suits quickly and wash with an antibacterial soap.