Guide to Acne in Summer
Guide to Acne in Summer
Seasonal acne can be difficult to deal with. Acne in summer can be particularly tricky to prevent. The combination of humidity, higher temperatures, and sweaty skin allows acne to thrive.
We tend to breakout more in the summer due to this combination of factors because heat + humidity + sweat = oil accumulation and clogged pores. Luckily, we have crafted a simple and effective guide to help prevent and treat summertime acne.
What causes skin breakouts?
Acne is a common skin condition that is triggered by oil and dead skin cells that are clogging pores and hair follicles. Oil is produced by our sebaceous glands–small glands found at the surface of our skin where hair stems from. The purpose of our sebaceous glands is to lubricate skin and hair follicles so they do not dry out, but when too much sebum is produced, acne thrives.
Another cause for acne is genes. If your parents had constant breakouts when they were younger, or still do, it is likely that you will as well.
Using a cosmetic or skincare product that opposes your skin's preferences can also cause a flare up. It is always important to patch test any new products before applying to your entire face to ensure you will not react negatively to it.
Finally, women are much more likely to live with acne as their hormonal cycles change constantly. Most women experience a flare up around their period, while taking birth control, during pregnancy, and with hormonal syndromes such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Why does my acne get worse in the summer?
During summer, it is common for anyone and everyone to experience breakouts. As stated, the mixture of sweat, heat and humidity are linked to breakouts by our bodies trying to cool us down and overproducing sebum/oil.
We also tend to have more skin care products on our face during the summer to make up for the dehydration and sun protection, so it is very important to properly cleanse your skin after coming in from your day at the beach and give your skin some time to breathe when you are relaxing indoors.
Does summertime heat cause acne?
Heat mixed with humidity creates the optimal breeding surface for bacteria to burrow into your pores, which will lead to breakouts.
Does sweat cause acne?
As our bodies heat up, they will naturally respond by sweating to cool us down. Sweating clogs our pores and can lead to sebum overproduction. You may also experience bumps and blemishes on your back, chest and shoulders, especially while wearing clothes while sweating.
How can I prevent acne in summer?
As we mentioned, sweating and being in the hot and humid temperatures are the main reason for summertime acne. We recommend keeping a clean cloth in your summer bag to blot away sweat instead of using the back of your hand as this can just spread bacteria around.
Double cleansing after returning from a day in the sun can ensure that all the sweat, sunscreen and environmental factors are washed away and your skin has a nice clean surface for the rest of the day.
Finally, be sure to look for non-comedogenic and oil-free products as your skin will already be naturally producing more oils during the summer months.
Is the sun good for acne?
There is no evidence proving that exposure to the sun and tanning will combat or improve acne. Over exposure will dry your skin out, leading to overproduction of oils.
If you are using a topical to treat acne, be sure to read the ingredients and directions and ensure there is no warning to stay out of the sun while using.
A few ingredients that you should avoid before going in the sun include:
- Antibacterial Treatments
- Citrus Oils
- Exfoliating Acids (AHAs)
- Hydroquinones
- Retinol
Does sunscreen help acne?
Many people believe that because sunscreen is thick and protective, that it is going to clog your pores. Actually, it is quite the opposite. SPF will reduce your chance of sunburn and help retain your moisture barrier.
We love using our Vitamin C Moisturizer as it will keep your skin hydrated, and vitamin C is great for protecting your skin from environmental factors. Follow up with either our Weightless Facial Sunscreen or our SPF + Set. Both of these products are non-comedogenic, SPF 50, and broad spectrum which will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays.
Did you know we have two entire lines dedicated to blemish prone skin? Our RENEW products are perfect for year round night time use, and days where the index is lower, but for the days you will be spending hours in the sun, we recommend using our SMOOTH & CLEAR line.
Our RENEW line uses AHAs to combat acne, but this may react poorly when in direct contact with the sun. Swap out your AHA Cleanser for our SMOOTH & CLEAR Face Wash. Use your AHA Cleanser at night.
Other products we love:
- SMOOTH & CLEAR Cream - a preventative acne treatment you can use prior to your sunscreen application. Contains aloe and vitamin C, great ingredients to combat environmental factors and aid in sun protection.
- Fade Away Peptide Serum - a perfect rehydrating and pigmentation fading product. Use at night before your moisturizer.
- Fade Away Cream - an amazing cream to help fade dark spots and sun spots. Use at night after your Fade Away Peptide Serum.
Key Takeaways:
- Blot away sweat with a clean cloth, not your hands
- Double cleanse skin after a day in the sun to remove sweat, sunscreen and sebum
- Wear SPF every single day
- Avoid AHA in the day time, but load up at night time to naturally exfoliate dead skin cells
- Acne is natural and don’t let a few blemishes ruin your summer, you are beautiful and deserve to have the most fun