Summer Skin Tips With Olympic Soccer Star Kelley O’Hara & Dr. Elizabeth Hale

New York City is a pretty active place but it’s still cool to be invited to a rooftop yoga shindig like I was for Coppertone’s “Ready Steady Glow” event, which featured soccer superstar Kelley O’Hara.

I asked O’Hara about her training routine as she gets ready for the Summer Olympic Games taking place in Brazil this year. She fits in yoga sessions as often as she can, and her favorite pre-workout snack is peanut butter and bananas. She doesn’t believe in pregame rituals, saying “I am really superstitious about ever becoming superstitious.”

To get motivated on the field she likes to put on old-school hip hop or whatever is popular on the radio that day. Pink’s Just Like Fire is a particular fave right now. Bose makes her favorite pair of headphones for everyday because “they are absolutely the most comfortable,” she says. If any of you out there know a rep for Jaybird wireless headphones — Kelley totally wants to be a brand ambassador as she finds their sound to the best she ever heard.  (Hint hint!)

When I asked her how she protects her skin when she is at practice, the Georgia native says she is pretty fanatical about applying Coppertone Sport 30 minutes before and reapplying after two hours. Dr. Elizabeth Hale of CompleteSkin MD was also on hand to talk about the do’s and don’ts of summer skin care and answered our most pertinent questions.

Q. What are the best tips for applying sunscreen when working outside?

A. You should be applying sunscreen even during daily activities, not just when you’re working outside. A major issue with people heading outside to exercise or swim in the sun is that they forget to reapply sunscreen because they think they’re safe. Try bringing along a continuous spray or sunscreen stick for easy reapplication. When I run marathons, it’s important for me to have a sunscreen that stays on even when I sweat and doesn’t run into my eyes and sting. I always make sure to pack Coppertone Sport Continuous Spray and the Coppertone Sport Stick for when I’m on the go.

Q. What level of SPF do we really need to be safe?

A. I recommend a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30, especially if you’re working out outdoors. The difference between SPF numbers may seem unimportant, but for someone who is continually outdoors, the stronger sunscreen is beneficial. For extra defense, remember to include other sun-protection measures like sunglasses, a hat, long-sleeve shirts and umbrellas in addition to sunscreen.

Q. What areas are most often neglected by women when applying sunscreen?

A. Many women apply sunscreen without making sure they’re reaching the smaller areas. The most commonly overlooked areas are the scalp, ears, backs of the hands, nose and chest. In addition, those smaller areas need rehydration even after you’re out of the sun. Try Clearly Sheer AfterSun to restore antioxidants and minerals depleted by the sun. Also, be sure to use a lip balm that contains SPF when outdoors since lips receive the most exposure.

What are your favorite tips for summer skin protection? —Margo