Articles

by Emily Trampetti, Licensed Esthetician & Skin Strategist | Winter Garden, FL Let’s face it — summers (especially in Florida!) are no joke. The heat. The humidity. The feeling like your visiting the surface of the sun! One minute your skin is glowing, and the next you’re wondering why you suddenly feel greasy, bumpy, red and inflamed… even though you’re still following your routine and drinking all the water. If that sounds like you, don’t panic. This is a totally normal seasonal shift I see in most of my Florida clients — even those with the most consistent skin habits. Summer simply requires a new strategy. So if you're looking to keep your glow going without the grease, breakouts, or barrier breakdowns, here are some of my top professional skin tips for summers in hot climates: 1. Sunscreen Isn’t Optional — But It Should Be Wearable I say this often, and I’ll keep saying it: The best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually wear. I know there’s a lot of noise out there about “safe” vs. “toxic” sunscreens — and it’s confusing. But here’s the truth: sunscreen, when used properly, is one of the most effective tools we have to prevent skin damage, pigmentation, accelerated aging, and even skin cancer. So please, don’t let fear-mongering TikToks, Reels or sensationalized headlines scare you away from protecting your skin. Whether you prefer mineral, chemical, or hybrid formulas, find one that suits your skin and that you don't mind wearing.  (Need help? I carry some incredible lightweight SPFs that are perfect for Florida weather — and I’d be happy to match you with the right one.) 2. Don’t Just “Go Lighter” — Understand What Your Skin Needs Yes, summer skincare often means swapping heavy creams for lighter textures. But it’s not one-size-fits-all. Your skin’s hydration and oil levels are unique — and they don’t change just because it’s hot outside. In fact, I often see clients unknowingly under-hydrating during summer, thinking that dewy = oily (spoiler alert: it doesn't!). Instead of blindly following summer skincare trends, take a moment to reassess your skin - or ask your trusted estie for guidance. And please, please, please stop getting skin information from TikTok ;) 3. Summer Facials = Skin Armor, Not Skin Stress If you're getting corrective peels or aggressive exfoliation in the peak of Florida summer... please pause. Also please run from whomever thought that was a good idea! Summer is the time to protect, fortify, and strengthen your skin — not break it down. That's for fall and winter months. In my Winter Garden skin clinic, summer facials are all about shielding and supporting. I customize each service to help control inflammation, support healthy lymphatic drainage, strengthen your skin barrier, infuse antioxidants and natural UV/melanin protectants and fully equip your skin to gracefully handle this hard season.  4. Never Let Sweat Dry on Your Skin (Seriously) This is a golden rule in my book: Never let sweat dry on your face.I know — it happens sometimes, especially when you can't wash it off right away. But when sweat dries, it doesn’t just evaporate. It leaves behind salt and bacteria that can disrupt your skin's pH, trigger breakouts, and sensitize your barrier. This, as you can imagine, can lead to all sorts of skin issues you don't want! One of my favorite tips for helping plan around sweat sessions is to always have a clean, cool, damp towel or micellar water pad nearby if you’re on the go. And don't forget a replenishing moisturizer and SPF in your bag! It's not perfect, but it's better than dry sweat, lovely! 5. Stay Cool — Inside & Out Heat is a trigger for so many skin issues — rosacea, acne, eczema, and even plain old skin sensitivity!That’s why I always encourage my clients to cool from the inside and out throughout the summer months...and beyond! Sip cool or cold water throughout the day, and avoid hot drinks if it's warm Use cold compresses or chilled towels post-sun (Pro tip: I put clean spoons in the fridge and do some gentle gua sha with my serums after a hot sweat session) Limit foods and beverages that inflame the blood vessels like alcohol, spicy foods and hot dishes. Avoid going outside in the peak of the day to avoid the most powerful UV rays and heat. 6. And Lastly… Give Yourself Grace Summer is full. It’s busy. It’s a time to have fun!And yes, it can feel chaotic — especially if your skin isn’t cooperating. But please remember this: your skin is dynamic. It’s allowed to shift and change.What matters most is how we support it — with consistency, curiosity, intention, and a little compassion. So whether you're spending your summer on the water, at the beach, or  BBQ-hopping, know that I’m here to help you find a rhythm that feels good and works with your life, not against it. Come See Me in Winter Garden Looking for personalized guidance or a seasonal skin refresh? My 60-minute Signature Treatments are fully customized and available all summer long. We’ll fine-tune your homecare, restore your barrier, and give your skin the summer support it truly needs. Book Now! Limited June Appointments Available

Let’s talk about stress—for your skin. Because yes, your skin feels it too. Whether it’s showing up as sudden breakouts, dullness, redness, or extra sensitivity, skin stress is real, and oh-so common. As a licensed esthetician who works with stressed-out skin every single day, I can tell you this: when your nervous system is taxed, your skin isn’t far behind.  The good news? There are simple ways to help your skin (and your body) feel more supported and less reactive. Here are five of my favorite strategies I regularly share with clients—because calm skin isn’t just about what you put on it. It’s about how you care for it!   1. Pare it back to protect your barrier When your skin is in a stressed or "off" place, it needs time and strategy to reset. That means simplifying your routine down to the essentials products like a gentle cleanser, hydrating serum or ampoule, nourishing moisturizer and SPF. All of these products should be tailored to your specific skin. This isn’t the time for acids, exfoliants, or anything “active.” Your skin’s barrier needs to be nurtured, not challenged. Look for ingredients like ceramides, panthenol, beta-glucan, glycerine, essential fatty acids, allantoin, oatmeal and even hyaluronic acid—these help rebuild resilience from the outside in. 2. Opt for cold over hot Cool temps = less inflammation, and that's usually a great thing when it comes to stressed out body, mind and skin! Even a few moments of cold therapy can help calm redness, reduce puffiness, and reset your skin’s stress response. Try storing your ampoules or mist in the fridge, rolling a chilled facial tool (or even a spoon from the fridge!) across your cheeks, or applying a cold compress at night or after a workout. If your skin tends to flush, feel hot, or easily react, this can be a total game-changer. Also, you may want to skip the hot yoga session for a bit! 3. Feed your skin from within We can’t talk about skin stress without talking about internal stress. Today we know more than ever that stress is ever-so-connected to the gut. What you eat, how hydrated you are, and how well your digestion is functioning all play a role in how your skin shows up. When your skin is flaring, go back to basics:• Stay consistently hydrated (and limit the carbonated bevs!)• Incorporate calming, healthy fats like omega-3s (even consider a supplement!)• Minimize added sugars and processed foods• Take deep breaths while you eat and chew slowly—yes, really 4. Prioritize quality rest Skin loves (and thrives on!) sleep. It’s when the real healing and rejuvenation processes happen, including essential collagen production, inflammation repair, and nervous system regulation. But most of us aren’t getting enough restorative sleep. Make your evening routine more skin-supportive: • Keep a regular wind-down ritual—About 30 minutes before you want to go to bed, put your devices away, put a plush set of fresh pjs on and head to the bathroom to brush your teeth, wash your face mindfully, and give yourself a little massage while applying your finishing products. I love to either say my prayers during this time or set positive intentions for the next day. Then I'll either read a book or meditate for a bit before turning out the lights. For a bonus, you could even spray a little sleep mist on your pillow! • Sleep on a clean, skin-friendly pillowcase like 100% mulberry silk • Choose calming products that support overnight repair (think lipid-rich moisturizers or reparative ampoules) The better your sleep, the better your skin performs. 5. Gently stimulate lymph and bloodflow Your skin thrives on movement—specifically the gentle movement of lymph and blood. When circulation slows down (which it tends to do when we’re stressed, stagnant, or inflamed), your skin can look puffy, dull, or just plain older. Here’s how to wake things up without overwhelming your skin (because we're not talking about running a marathon here!): • Incorporate light facial massage with your hands, fingertips or gua sha tool. Light pressure is key, so put the muscles down. I love to gently tap along my cheekbones and jawline to stimulate blood flow while applying my serums. • Go for a walk after dinner to get blood flowing, followed by a gentle stretch session to de-puff and initiate healing. • Breathe deeply for a few minutes. This helps oxygenate stagnant blood and essentially feed your skin cells with fresh nourishment! This isn’t just great for lymphatic drainage—it also encourages oxygen, nutrients, and healing to reach the deeper layers of your skin. Want personalized guidance? If your skin is feeling off lately, it might be time to re-center with a custom plan. I’m here to help you figure out what your skin is asking for—and how to respond with confidence and care. You don’t have to guess, and you don’t have to go it alone. Let’s bring your skin back into balance—together. Xo Emily