Every year it starts the same, a trip to the store to replace my wintertime makeup, a sturdy supply of sunscreen and the best of intentions.

Unfortunately, sun-proofing your skin is always harder than you think. This year I decided to vary from my usually routine and try a lighter base thinking it would provide the same sun protection without the melt factor that my usual base does during the summer months. Well, it kind of worked, however by mid-summer my Rosacea was full blown and my face was as red as a tomato.

Unfortunately for me, in addition to oily skin and lovely rosacea, my skin is ultra sensitive too so I have to be extra careful with sunscreen and makeup products. As the weather changes, so do the effects on my skin and I usually end up feeling like a hopeless science experiment in need of major help and professional beauty tips.

Luckily for me, it’s really not as dramatic as it seems. Summertime beauty tips, don’t have to be hard, you just need to actually follow them, which is usually way easier to preach than practice so I try to break it down into simple terms.

First – all the products I use have to be fragrance free. This not only cuts down on irritation, it also helps keep the unexpected away. One of the things I’ve noticed is that when you mix make-up and sunscreen, your pores may not always approve of the combination so less is definitely more. Next, everything has to have sun protection built in. Unfortunately, no matter where I go, I inevitably go outside and expose myself to the sun. Even a little exposure can wreak havoc. Last, and most important, I always keep my face as clean as possible. The best beauty advice you can give or receive!

Each year I choose to view this process as a learning experience. Some things work, others don’t, I just keep the ones that do and try something new the next time around. It is my goal to figure out the best combination of beauty advice for my skin so I can get through one full season without the worry or the red face while I’m still relatively young enough to look good in my swimsuit. Wish me luck!