Skin healthHealthy skin careGeneral wellness

8 worst summer skin care mistakes you need to stop making

Get the secrets to protecting your skin from sun damage.


LearnSkin care8 worst summer skin care mistakes you need to stop making
You don’t choose the right sunscreen
You don’t reapply your sunscreen
You count on the clouds
You skip the spot check
You scratch stings and bites
You forget your feet
You get lax with kids’s sun protection
You misuse makeup

1 of 9

Your skin can take a beating in the summertime. Between beach trips, barbecues, and other outdoor activities, long days outdoors can exacerbate sun damage and wrinkles and raise your risk of developing skin cancer. But there are ways you can protect yourself.

Here are eight summer skin care mistakes you should avoid, plus tips for safeguarding your skin all season long.

Sources: American Academy of Dermatology Associat... + 14
  1. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Sunscreen FAQs. Page last updated September 7, 2022.
  2. Lyons AB, Trullas C, Kohli I, et al. Photoprotection beyond ultraviolet radiation: A review of tinted sunscreens. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021;84(5):1393-1397.
  3. The Skin Cancer Foundation. Sunburn and Your Skin. Page last reviewed May 2021.
  4. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation and Sun Exposure. Page last updated July 14, 2022.
  5. Venosa, Ali. 5 Sneaky Ways You’re Being Exposed to the Sun’s UV Rays. The Skin Cancer Foundation. June 21, 2022.
  6. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun. Page last reviewed December 16, 2022.
  7. Cleveland Clinic. Actinic Cheilitis. Page last reviewed May 13, 2022.
  8. The Skin Cancer Foundation. You Missed a Spot! Lower Your Skin Cancer Risk by Protecting These Often-Missed Areas. August 24, 2018.
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mosquito Bite Symptoms and Treatments. Page last reviewed March 6, 2020.
  10. Sánchez M, González-Burgos E, Iglesias I, et al. Pharmacological Update Properties of Aloe Vera and its Major Active Constituents. Molecules. 2020;25(6):1324.
  11. Johns Hopkins Medicine. The Danger of Insect Stings. Accessed on February 2, 2023.
  12. Mayo Clinic. Bee Sting. Page last reviewed August 18, 2022.
  13. American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to Care for Dry, Cracked Heels. Page last updated January 31, 2022.
  14. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Should You Put Sunscreen on Infants? Not Usually. Page last reviewed August 24, 2021.
  15. American Academy of Dermatology Association. 12 Summer Skin Problems You Can Prevent. Accessed on February 2, 2023.
Written by Michael Gollust.
Medically reviewed by Amy Gonzales, MD.June, 2025
Updated onAugust, 2026
Written by Michael Gollust.
Medically reviewed by Amy Gonzales, MD.June, 2025
Updated onAugust, 2026
AskMDAskMD

Questions about skincare?

Get instant answers from our AI health assistant

Ask Now

Recommended for you

From sunburns to melasma, here's how to beat the heat.

7 smart ways to protect your skin this summer
Slideshow

7 skin care mistakes you don't have to make
Slideshow

Take better care of your skin with these quick lessons from a dermatologist.

7 expert-approved skincare secrets to live by
Slideshow

Certain skincare slipups can lead to premature aging, breakouts and more.

7 makeup mistakes you are probably making and how to fix them
Article

These areas are among the most-missed spots on your body. Keep them in mind next time you slather on the SPF.

10 places you may not be applying sunscreen—but should
Article
AskMDHow can I be more consistent?
AskMD by Sharecare LogoAskMD by Sharecare Logo
Privacy policyConsumer health data privacyTerms of use
Cookie policyYour privacy choices

© 2026 Sharecare, Inc.

ask-mdask-md
AskMD by Sharecare LogoAskMD by Sharecare Logo
Privacy policyConsumer health data privacyTerms of use
Cookie policyYour privacy choices

© 2026 Sharecare, Inc.