The Worst Summer Beauty Woes for Women Over 50

4. Body odor and sweat

Body odor isn’t something most women think about; they assume a daily shower, deodorant, clean hair and attention to oral hygiene solves it all. Well, sometimes it doesn’t. Sweat is the body’s natural air-conditioning system (a good thing!), but combine it with bacteria, and even the cleanest scalps, armpits, groins and feet become breeding grounds for smells. 

Here’s what helps: Wear lighter, looser clothing in natural, breathable fibers like cotton and linen, and sandals or partially open shoes to let air circulate around the body. Opt for white, black or printed clothes to minimize visual underarm sweat stains. It’s a good idea to leave opaque fabrics like fake leather until fall, along with toasty synthetics like polyester and skin-tight clothing like leggings, skinny jeans and sneakers. All trap and exacerbate odor.

There’s a difference between deodorant, which neutralizes odor, and antiperspirant/deodorant, which stops wetness and odor. (Some women now avoid aluminum salts, the ingredient in deodorant/antiperspirant that reduces sweat, due to medical controversy.) Then there are natural deodorants, which often consist of skin-nourishing ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil, and sweat-sopping ingredients like tapioca, magnesium or arrowroot, to absorb excess moisture. 

One example is Native Sensitive Cotton & Lily Deodorant ($15, target.com), which is aluminum-free and uses tapioca starch. Whole-body deodorants like Lume Whole Body Spray Deodorant in Lavender Sage ($15, walgreens.com), Shea Moisture Nourish Whole Body Deodorant Spray ($12, cvs.com) and Luna Daily The All Over Deodorant Stick Jasmine + Yang Yang ($20, sephora.com) are still a hot trend. They enable you to quickly and confidently tackle odor from breasts and private parts, and in body folds and creases.

(From left) Sun Bum SPF 30 Coconut Lip Balm; Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Sunscreen Stick SPF 60; L.L. Bean Women’s Pistil Zenith Hat UPF 50 in Red.

AARP (CVS, Target, L.L. Bean)

5. Sunburned lips, hairlines and feet

Women cheat on sunscreen. Cloudy days, rain, deck awnings, umbrellas and quick dashes from door-to-door are convenient excuses. They skip the hat, scrimp on vulnerable spots and say things like “The sun never reaches there,” “I don’t want to get sunscreen on my clothes” or “My lipstick protects me.”  The sorry ending is always a sunburn.

A hat is a non-negotiable in the summer. For serious shade, opt for a wide-brimmed style with UPF (ultraviolet protection rating) — the clothing equivalent of SPF — like the L.L. Bean Women’s Pistil Zenith Hat UPF 50 in Red ($45, llbean.com) or The North Face Women’s Class V Brimmer in White Dune or Khaki Stone UPF40 ($45, zappos.com). Wear it to the beach or pool and also to the farmer’s market, brunch outdoors, and while reading on the deck or shopping. 

Let’s remember that according to The Skin Cancer Foundation, most basal cell carcinomas (BCC), the most common form of skin cancer, are found on the face, ears, neck and scalp. Stick sunscreens like Coppertone Every Tone Invisible Finish Hydrating UV Defense Face Sunscreen Stick SPF 55 ($13, walgreens.com) and matte lip balms like the Sun Bum SPF 30 Coconut Lip Balm ($4, cvs.com) are the new must-haves for skin care. 

Sticks are the fastest and least messy way to get sun protection on specific areas like the neck and nape, your hair part and hairline, the area of the chest exposed by V- or scoop necklines, the tops of feet and hands, and the face. Stick sunscreens transport easily in a pocket or a handbag. Matte lip balm with an SPF 30+ level is the safest option to keep lips healthy; just remember to reapply after drinking, eating or swimming

6. Pool water affects hair color and texture

You’re swimming laps daily? Joined a water workout at the community pool? Good for you! However, the fun and fitness take a dive when your hair color turns brassy or green and the texture becomes as dry as straw. Chlorine — the chemical that pools need to stay hygienic and germ-free — is a bleach, and can be treacherous for blondes, hair that’s gray, highlighted, or that’s already dry or damaged. What helps? Pre-wetting your hair with fresh water or slicking it back with a leave-in conditioner like Odele Leave-In Conditioner for Deep Moisture, Detangling + Frizz Control ($13, target.com) before pool time is one option. The more hydrated the hair is, the less chlorine it absorbs.

Part 2 of that strategy — rinsing your hair and the chlorine out ASAP after a dip — is just as important. The best option is to wear a swim cap. Updated styles leave plenty of room for longer hair, and cap colors range from basic black to stylish brights and pastels, like the Speedo Adult Silicone Cap in Pink or Yellow ($10, target.com) and Tyr Long Hair Wrinkle Free Silicone Swim Cap in Fluorescent Pink or Blue ($18, swimoutlet.com). 

Silicone caps are an improvement on latex. They’re gentle on the hair thanks to a smoother finish that doesn’t snag or pull, are easier to get on and off, and are preferable for women with sensitive skin (latex provokes allergic reactions for some). You can double your chlorine protection by applying a leave-in conditioner under your cap.

(From left) Venus by Gillette Pubic Hair & Skin Disposable Razors; Eos Shea Better Sensitive Shave Cream with Colloidal Oatmeal; Old Navy Women Ribbed One-Piece Swimsuit in Secret Cove.

AARP (Target, CVS, Old Navy)

7. Hair removal down below

Hair that shows around the leg lines of a one-piece swimsuit creates a dilemma for women: “Should I shave or get a wax?” Just to be clear here, we’re not talking about a full-on Hollywood, a sexy Brazilian or a daring French style — just a modest but effective shaping. Shaving is the most budget-friendly option, and one you can do yourself. It’s also relatively pain-free for this very sensitive area. 

To avoid ingrown hairs, prep with a DIY trim using round-tipped facial grooming scissors. Then shave at the end of a warm shower with a shaving cream/gel designed for sensitive skin, like Skintimate Skin Therapy Sensitive Skin Women’s Shave Gel ($4, walgreens.com) or Eos Shea Better Sensitive Shave Cream with Colloidal Oatmeal ($5, cvs.com), and a razor designed for the bikini area, like Venus by Gillette Pubic Hair & Skin Disposable Razors ($9, target.com), to prevent cuts and nicks. To reduce irritation, gently pull the skin taut in increments as you go.

Let’s be honest: Waxing is painful, so avoid trying it at home. Booking a salon wax with an experienced pro can ease the anxiety of the experience and prevent irritation. It will still be painful (sorry, but it is), but the hair-free effect will last about a month. It can cost anywhere from $30 to $80, depending on where you live, the salon and your selected wax style. Be very specific about the shape you want, since the names of waxes vary from salon to salon. Many women find a standard bikini line wax perfect for a one-piece swimsuit like the Old Navy Women Ribbed One-Piece Swimsuit in Secret Cove ($25, oldnavy.gap.com). Tell your stylist exactly this: “groomed, with a little off the sides and top.”

(From left) Cetaphil Eczema Restoraderm Itch Relief Gel for Body- Unscented; CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-itch Cream for Eczema.

AARP (Target, CVS)

8. Body rashes and itches 

I’m a beauty and style expert, not a dermatologist, but women do complain to me about summer rashes. Aside from the obvious itchiness and irritation, rashes can interfere with what we wear and with looking good. Comments like “I can’t wear that dress now, I have a horrible rash on my back,” “My swimsuit makes me itch”  or “I think my new sunscreen is causing breakouts” are common. 

Skin that continues to be red and rashy requires a medical diagnosis — promptly. Heat rash is caused by blocked sweat glands, so cooling off helps, but it can take a day or two to settle down. Contact dermatitis is more serious. It may be triggered by a new cosmetic (like a new-for-you sunscreen, self-tanner or body lotion), laundry detergent or fabric softener, or by an allergic reaction to a combo of sun exposure and new meds, rubber swim goggles or the nickel on sandal buckles. 

See your doctor for persistent rashes. When trying an unfamiliar product, always do a patch test on an inconspicuous spot (the sensitive skin of your inner elbow, for example), and wait a full 24 hours before doing a full application. Wash all new clothing before wearing with a gentle, hypoallergenic detergent free of dyes and fragrance, and do a thorough second rinse. Change out of a wet swimsuit ASAP.

Soothe any new rashes with cool compresses or a chilly shower, and wear loose, airy clothing. You can manage itchiness with gentle over-the-counter products that contain soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and hydrocortisone, and ones that lock in moisture, like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Try CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-itch Cream for Eczema ($10, cvs.com), Cetaphil Eczema Restoraderm Itch Relief Gel for Body- Unscented ($12, target.com) or Aveeno Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream Fragrance Free ($24, walgreens.com). You don’t need to have eczema to reap the calming benefits and itch relief.