If there’s one thing Manhattan board certified dermatologist Lori Brightman, M.D. wants you to know about keeping your skin even-toned and glowing this summer, it’s this: “Any sun spots, freckles or discoloration that you may already have can potentially darken with more summertime sun exposure.”

Dr. Brightman recommends:

• Wear sun protective clothing. Wide-brimmed hats (that measure a minimum of two inches around, enough to shade your face) and UV 400 sunglasses (wrap-arounds, if possible) are musts when you’re in the sun.
• Reapply your sunscreen every two hours. More often if you sweat or are in the water.
• Toss your old sunscreen. They’re less effective after one year; buy a new bottle of SPF every summer.
• Avoid the midday sun. UV rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stay out!

If you already have discoloration, Dr. Brightman recommends applying Elure Advanced Skin Lightening products every morning and evening all over your face to help reduce discolorations. Elure is a scientifically proven enzymatic skin lightening treatment that is hydroquinone-free.

For sun protection, we uncovered some products you can spray, slather or eat — you decide.

Eat

Dr. Al Sears’ Radiance

Protect your skin from the sun’s rays by taking a capsule! “This high-powered ingredient — available for the first time as a convenient capsule — prevents long-term damage to your skin. That means you won’t be left with dry, weathered skin as you age,” says Dr. Sears. “By activating your body’s most powerful antioxidant, Radiance neutralizes dangerous UV rays before they have the chance to turn your skin into a weathered, wrinkled mess.”

Spray

Aveeno Hydrosport Sunscreen Spray SPF 30

Provides long-lasting UVA/UVB protection and withstands wear off from water and sweat.

Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Spray SPF 50

Oil and PABA-free, it is specially formulated to be applied to wet skin for sun protection and instantly cuts through water to form a protective barrier.

Slather

ZO Skin Health’s Oclipse Sunscreen + Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 UVA/UVB Protection

Voted the number one best sunscreen by Total Beauty. ZO Skin Health’s Oclipse Sunscreen protects with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, both potent UVA and UVB blockers; lipopeptides stimulate collagen and elastin production to turn back time on skin and humectants and emollients to keep skin supple and smooth.

Neova DNA Damage Control Everyday SPF 43

Facial sunscreen with vitamins E & C, zinc oxide and DNA repair enzymes that have been shown to increase UV protection by 300 percent in one hour.

Neova DNA Damage Control Active SPF 45

Body sunscreen that is 80 minutes water-resistant and is formulated with zinc oxide, vitamin C, L-ergothioneine and DNA repair enzymes.

More skin care tips

Sunglasses buyer’s guide: Styles & sun protection
Summer skin care products that protect and heal
Summer skin health: Skin cancer awareness