How To Manage Your Acne During Summer

You might enjoy the sunshine and warmer weather in the summer, but it can play havoc with your skin. Summer can be especially frustrating if you suffer from acne — the extra heat can make you sweat more, give you oilier skin, and cause breakouts.

We take a look at some of the ways you can manage your acne during the summer…

Use a lighter moisturizer

Thick, heavy moisturisers are good during the colder months when your skin is being battered by cold air and rain. But during the summer this can block your pores unnecessarily. Pick a lighter moisturiser that’s non-comedogenic and oil-free to keep your skin hydrated but not clogged up.

Use the right treatments

There are plenty of over the counter products that can help manage acne. Look out for things that contain key ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and alpha hydroxy acids.

However, if you’re struggling to get it under control then it’s a good idea to speak to a doctor about prescription treatments. Something like Quinoderm is an option for treatment that can ease mild acne. Quinoderm acne cream helps break down dead skin cells that block pores and has antibacterial properties that will prevent further breakouts.

Use sunscreen every day

Sunscreen might not necessarily help you manage acne, but it will stop your skin from getting permanently damaged by the summer sun. A lot of acne medications and treatments will make your skin more sensitive to the sun than usual, which means you’re more likely to burn, so you need to be protecting yourself all the time.

As with your moisturizer, choose a sunscreen that’s suitable for your skin type. Look for one that’s light, oil-free and non-comedogenic and at least SPF 30. You might even find tinted moisturizers that have sun protection, which can help protect your skin and cover up blemishes.

Just make sure you top up your sun protection throughout the day. And remember that the sun can still damage your skin even in the winter, so sunscreen shouldn’t just be for the summer.

Shower after exercising

When you sweat it can cause a buildup of oil and bacteria on your skin that blocks your pores and causes acne breakouts. So if you’re exercising or doing something that makes you sweat when it’s hot, you should shower as soon as you can afterwards.

Wearing tight, synthetic clothing to work out in can also cause blemishes due to the friction on your skin and trapping the sweat. Try to wear breathable cotton fabrics when you exercise to manage your acne.

Avoid drying your skin out

If your skin feels oily and is prone to breakouts, then it can be tempting to use cleansers, toners and face washes that dry the skin out and strips away the oil. But using harsh products can actually make your acne worse. Your skin will end up producing even more oil to make up for being too dry and the ingredients can cause inflammation and irritation. 

Use gentle products on your skin, and look for ones that contain things like niacinamide, green tea, or zinc, which can help reduce inflammation and unclog your pores.

Stay hydrated

It’s easy to get dehydrated during the summer, which leads to increased oil production and acne. So make sure that you’re drinking plenty of water, especially when it’s warm or you’re exercising and sweating. This will help improve the appearance of your skin and reduce breakouts.

It can be more difficult to avoid breaking out during the summer, but these tips will help you to manage your acne and keep your skin healthy.