The Best Products to Prevent (and Repair!) Skin Damage

While summer might be the most fun season of the year, it can unfortunately do a number on your skin. From lazy afternoons at the beach to outdoor sports, so much of your time is out in the sun, and, as a result, there are opportunities for damage and irritation at every turn.

Luckily, there are a slew of superhero products you can turn to that will ensure your skin looks great well past Labor Day. Here, i’ve narrowed down the best products for every skincare concern.
Sun Burn

Too much time in the sun can cause lasting damage, so obviously the best plan is not to get sunburned in the first place! Since you don’t have a time machine, however, your next best course of action is to pick a light moisturizer specifically designed to soothe and repair, such as COOLA ER+ Radical Recovery After-Sun Lotion ($32) or Burt’s Bees Aloe and Linden Flower After Sun Soother ($10).
Sun Spots

You were hoping to get a gorgeous tan; instead, all you ended up with are unsightly reddish marks and freckles. Help fade your skin back to an even-toned complexion by reaching for a product with a hydroxyl-acid, which will brighten (and has the added benefit of softer, smoother skin), like Skin Laundry Brightening Serum with Glycolic Acid ($50) or Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Brightening & Smoothing Daily Moisturizer ($15). And keep your skin in great shape thanks to a killer SPF, such as Pevonia Botanica Hydrating Sunscreen ($48) or Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen SPF 30 ($7).
Dehydration 

Whether it’s days spent outside in the sun or indoors in the arctic air-conditioning, your skin is likely to become parched in the hotter months. Repair it with products containing hyaluronic acid, which help moisturize thanks to the ability of HA molecules to hold 1000 times their weight in water. Try Neutrogena Hydroboost Moisturizing Gel ($18) or Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream ($60).
Clogged Pores

All that time outdoors – The sand at the beach! The wind on a boat! – can easily gunk up your pores and lead to a rough, clogged T-zone. Turn to a product with salicylic acid, which will not only help exfoliate for clean pores but has the bonus effect of zapping any errant blemishes, too. Try Dr. Brandt Skincare Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner ($47) or Soap & Glory Fab Pore Wipes ($7).
Fine Lines

For fine lines and anti-aging concerns, there’s nothing better than retinol, the gold standard ingredient that works overtime to smooth, plump, and treat. However, retinol can be slightly irritating, especially for more sensitive complexions, so you might want to start every other night and ease your skin into it. Try Murad Youth Renewal Serum ($88), or RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum ($25). And remember your daily SPF, as retinol tends to make skin more sun-sensitive.