Warm weather has arrived, signaling it’s time to head outside and enjoy the great outdoors. From rollerblading and riding bicycles to hiking and hanging out in the yard, be prepared for how to deal with the occasional skin care dilemmas that warm weather brings. Here’s expert advice for conquering the five most common summer skin care challenges for all ages.

Challenge 1: Protecting from the sun

Even if sun protection is already a part of your daily routine, it’s important to remember that not all formulas are created equal. When picking the right sun protection for you and your family, consider both age and activity.

• Swimming: Remember, summer activities that involve the pool or the beach require a waterproof sunscreen that’s specially formulated to withstand water. Celazome Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30 delivers up to eight hours of broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection while infusing skin with nourishing moisture.

• Sports: Whether it’s a walk on the beach or an intense tennis match, arm your skin with durable, sweat-proof sun protection. Coola Sport SPF 45 Unscented is endorsed by the American Lifeguard Association and formulated with active organic extracts including vitamin-rich antioxidants and age-fighting nutrients to protect and nourish skin during even the most extreme conditions.

• For baby: For infants six months old or younger, use protective clothing or other physical barriers like hats and blankets to shield delicate skin from the sun. For babies older than six months, it’s safe to apply sunscreen to all areas of skin, however use caution around the eyes. LaVanila The Healthy Baby Block SPF 40 is an all-natural sun block that’s baby-safe and formulated with over 30 essential vitamins and minerals derived from nourishing ingredients including calendula and noni juice to enrich the development of young skin.

• For kids: For children, keep Mustela High Protection Sun Lotion SPF 50 on hand. Offering powerful sun protection that’s safe for sensitive skin, this SPF 50 sun block is ideal for shielding skin from head to toe.

Challenge 2: Battling bugs

No matter where you live, it’s likely that mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, gnats, biting flies and no-see-ums will share your outdoor space this summer. While for most, a run-in with a mosquito means an itchy bite or two, depending on where you live, a bite can lead to other more serious illnesses including encephalitis, dengue and yellow fever, malaria, and West Nile virus.

• Prevention. Protect your skin – and your health – from potentially dangerous insect bites with these simple steps:

• Repellent: Apply insect repellent containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) before heading outdoors. Keep a bottle of Off! Skintastic Insect Repellent for the Family, Spray Pump - 4.75% DEET close by whenever you or your family is heading outside.

• Clothing: Whenever possible, shield your skin with long-sleeved clothes, socks and long pants. When hiking in the woods or in other areas with lots of bugs, clothing that blends in with the landscape can help deter mosquitoes and other pests.

• Scents: If insects might be a concern, skip using your scented products, including perfumes, lotions, hair products and soaps, as these may attract mosquitoes.

• Timing: Reduce your risk of exposure by staying indoors between dusk and dawn – the time when mosquitoes are actively seeking food.

• Distance: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, so avoid areas with lots of puddles or standing water.

• Inspection: When it comes to inconspicuous pests like ticks, it’s important to inspect your skin after spending time outdoors. Also, it’s a good idea to check your child’s skin from head to toe to look for ticks or other bites.

• Treatment. Depending on what type of insect snacked on your skin, you may experience unpleasant side effects. Bee stings often cause pain and swelling while bites from mosquito, gnats and no-see-ums bring itchiness and inflammation.

• Adults: iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance Plus is an advanced serum that blends vitamin C, olive leaf extract, vitamin E and vitamin A for intense healing properties.

• Kids: For children, apply After Bite Fast Relief Itch Eraser, Gentle Kids Cream. Formulated with baking soda, aloe vera and tea tree oil, this soothing ointment calms and hydrates skin while relieving the irritating itch that accompanies insect bites.

• All-natural: For eco-friendly insect relief, reach for Burt's Bees Bug Bite Relief. Packaged in recycled materials, this biodegradeable blend of essential oils and natural ingredients contains camphor and menthol to relieve pain while lemongrass, thyme, lavender and orange soothes irritation.

Keep an ice pack like Nexcare Cold/Hot Pack on hand, as applying ice as soon as possible after you notice the bite or sting can calm side effects such as swelling. For pain relief you can take over-the-counter medications, including acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If the area around the bite becomes infected, or if signs of an allergic reaction arise (including shortness of breath or nausea), contact a doctor immediately.

Challenge 3: Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac

What’s the most common cause of contact dermatitis in the United States? Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. These plants are widespread and common in wooded areas. Contact with skin or clothing can lead to itchy rashes and inflammation.

• Prevention. Prevent unwanted rashes by following these steps:

• Identify the enemy: The best way to prevent run-ins with poisonous plants is to know where they occur and what they look like.

• Wear a barrier: Also, wearing long sleeves and pants when hiking is a good idea. A chemical barrier like Ivy Block Lotion for Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumac Rash helps protect against poison ivy, oak, or sumac rash when applied before contact.

• Treatment. If you notice a rash, redness, swelling, small bumps or blisters between eight and 48 hours after spending time outdoors, there’s a good chance you may be experiencing an allergic reaction. Treat your skin immediately with the following steps:

• Step 1: Wash the skin. As soon as possible after contact with a poisonous plant, rinse the skin with soap and water. Using a product like Zanfel Wash For Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumac can more effectively remove urushiol, the toxin that causes the itchiness and rash, from the skin.

• Step 2: Apply a compress. Once blistering sets in, apply a cold compress for 15 to 30 minutes several times a day for the first three days following contact.

• Step 3: Treat with topical cream. Relieve redness and itchiness by applying a steroid cream. For the face or mild conditions, use a gentler hydrocortisone cream. For moderate or severe cases, you may need a prescription strength steroid. In the meantime, soak in a cool bath with a colloidal oatmeal formula to calm and soothe inflammation and apply a Calamine lotion like Rite Aid Calamine Lotion Skin Protectant to alleviate itching.

Contact a doctor for immediate medical attention if you develop a fever or if the rash occurs in a sensitive area like around the eyes, oozes pus or doesn’t clear up within a few weeks.

Challenge 4: Minor wounds

Summer is the time to get outside and get active. From riding your bike to hiking local trails, outdoor activities are accompanied by the risk of bumps and bruises. But don’t let the risk of wounds prevent you from enjoying the outdoors; instead, be prepared to treat them when they occur.

For minor cuts and scrapes:

• Step 1: Stop the bleeding. If the cut doesn’t stop bleeding its own, apply pressure with a clean bandage or towel.

• Step 2: Clean. After bleeding stops, rinse the wound with cool, clean water. If dirt or other particles remain in the wound, remove them with tweezers that have been disinfected with alcohol.

• Step 3: Disinfect. Next, apply a topical antibiotic ointment to kill any bacteria or other microorganisms that may have entered the wound.

• For adults: Obagi Nu-Derm Tolereen contains hydrocortisone to alleviate the itching and burning associated with minor wounds. Follow up with Mederma 50 Gram Tube to prevent scarring.

• For kids: Royal Hiney Ouchie Grouchy Ointment heals and disinfects dry, wounded skin in children. For more serious wounds that may scar, apply Kelo-cote Spray for Kids.

• Step 4: Cover. Place a bandage over the surface of the wound to keep out dirt, debris and unwanted microorganisms. Change daily or more often if it becomes dirty or wet.

• Step 4: Keep an eye on it. Watch the wound for infection, which is most often represented by redness or swelling. If infection occurs, contact a doctor.

For minor bumps and bruises:

• Step 1: Ice. Reduce swelling and inflammation by applying an ice pack immediately after your injury. Leave the ice pack on for 15 to 30 minutes and repeat every few hours.

• Step 2: Elevate. Elevating your injury prevents swelling and reduces pain.

• Step 3: Medicate if necessary. If the injury is painful, take an over-the-counter medication for relief.

For more serious bumps and bruises – especially those that may be associated with a sprain or broken bone – seek professional medical treatment.

Challenge 5: Camp-friendly skin care

Whether it’s a basic tent or rustic log cabin, camping of all kinds demands a modified skin care routine. Keep your skin healthy, fresh and radiant while roughing it by packing along these travel-friendly product:

• Cleanser: Lab Series Oil Control Towelettes are easy to pack and can clear away excess oil, dirt and other outdoor debris in no time. For acne-prone skin, keep H2O Plus Anti Acne Exfoliating Cleansing Pads close at hand.

• Shampoo: Hair care when camping isn’t always easy. Give your locks a quick pick-me-up – no water necessary – with Klorane Dry Shampoo Value Set. Great for all hair types, this dry shampoo features oat milk, corn and rice to cleanse and leave hair looking more radiant.

Summer is here; it’s time to enjoy the great outdoors without compromising the health or appearance of your skin. Depending on your favorite warm weather activities, take some time to create a safe, simple skin care that works for you and your family.

See also:

Fast Facts About Poison Ivy and Poison Oak

Skincare for Kids in 4 Easy Steps

SPF: What You Need to Know

Keep Skin Safe While Camping