The 4 Worst Beauty Products to Wear Before Sun Exposure

Skin-health experts want you to enjoy the sun—no need to hide away under a parasol all summer long in the name of good skin—but making sure you're properly protected from damage is crucial. "The sun makes us happy and provides vital vitamin D," says Danielle Gronich, a cellular biologist, licensed esthetician, and co-founder of ClearStem. We all have a vague awareness that wearing sunscreen every day is a good idea, but there are so many other precautions that estheticians encourage us to take to make sure we're not wrecking our skin, even by accident.

"What's important to understand when you're out in the sun and in direct sunlight is that your skin is in a vulnerable state and so the main focus is to give it the protection it needs to defend itself," comments Renée Rouleau, celebrity esthetician and founder of her eponymous product line. Translation: We've got to make sure we're not using any products that will exacerbate our skin's vulnerability. "Instead, use things that put the skin on offense," says Rouleau.

So what are some products we should never use before going out in the sun, and what are some we should always use instead? Keep scrolling for the ultimate estheticians' guide to before-sun skincare: four products you should avoid at all costs before catching some rays, plus four to use in their place.

By:

Amanda Montell