Acne Skin Care Tips for the Summertime

Summer is a beautiful time of year. The weather is warm; the days are long. But, summertime can also bring oily skin, blackheads and breakouts. With a few changes in your skin care routine, you can keep your skin looking and feeling great all summer long.

1. Control Oil

Heat and humidity can cause oil glands to work overtime. Control oiliness by washing your face with a foaming cleanser twice daily. If your skin gets exceptionally oily, you can do a midday cleansing too.

But don’t get into the habit of cleansing too often. For some, a once per day cleansing may be all the skin can tolerate. Cleansing too often can break down the skin’s protective barrier, causing excessive dryness and irritation, and ultimately worsen breakouts.

Some dermatologists advise letting the cleanser sit on the skin for a few seconds before rinsing well. You can try an oil-absorbing clay mask a few times per week (less if you notice dryness or irritation).

2. Lighten Up Your Moisturizer

If you had been using a more emollient during the cooler months, summer is an ideal time to lighten up on your moisturizer. You may find you don’t need as heavy a moisturizer during the summertime to keep acne-treatment dryness at bay. Pick one labeled noncomedogenic and oil-free. Remember, moisturizing lotions are much lighter than creams.

3. Use a Good Sunscreen Daily

Many acne medications (like Retin-A and BenzaClin) make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so regular use of a sunscreen is a must. No one wants a bad burn or sun-damaged skin. Besides, tanning isn’t healthy for your skin. Tanning causes sun damage and premature aging, and puts you at risk for skin cancer.

Choose a noncomedogenic, oil-free sunscreen of at least SPF 15; SPF 30 is even better. You may even want to try a tinted sunscreen, which gives you nice coverage without needing additional foundation makeup. They’re a good choice for men and teen boys who would like to tone down acne-related redness.

4. Shower After You Sweat

Sweat can irritate acne. Shower after working out or after you’ve been sweating. Pick a body wash with salicylic acid if you’re prone to blackheads, or benzoyl peroxide if you get inflamed pimples. Other good over-the-counter ingredients are sulfur and resorcinol. By thoroughly washing away sweat as soon as possible, you can help reduce the severity of breakouts.

During periods of heat and humidity, you may be more prone to a form of acne called acne mechanica. Acne mechanica develops when the skin is subjected to excess heat, as well as friction or rubbing of clothes, athletic equipment, etc. In the summer, wear breathable cotton instead of synthetic fabrics.