How to Get Rid of Post-Summer Acne
First off, let’s note that acne is not uncommon to have, even past puberty and your early twenties. In fact, studies show that up to 55% of 20 to 40 year olds suffer from adult acne. When it comes to acne in the summer, because of the extreme changes in temperature and sometimes in our habits, even those who have the best summer skincare routine can be dealing with acne in the summer.
If you’re looking for a solution to gently get rid of your post-summer acne, read on for our top tips on clearing your skin.
What Causes Post-Summer Acne?
Between sun exposure, extreme heatwaves and possible diet changes… there are a few reasons your skin might be breaking out, even more so towards the end of the summer. It’s not uncommon to get acne in the summer, and for some people it tends to get even worse towards the end of the summer.
“Acne and breakouts are caused by the build-up of sebum in the pore, which if not exfoliated and cleansed can clog the pore. Different hormonal changes can cause acne; many women suffer from acne around their periods. The best defence is a healthy regular regimen and lifestyle. Always take off makeup before bed and exfoliate frequently. A pore clarifying mask is helpful, particularly if you feel an onset of a breakout” says dermatologist and brand founder Dr Goldfaden.
How to Prevent Post-Summer Breakouts?
If you feel like your skin is on the verge of breaking out, here are some skincare tips to try and keep the acne away:
Use oil-free skincare: Chances are that your skin is oilier than the rest of the year, which means that you don’t need to any more to your skin. Switch to water or gel-based skincare to lightly hydrate the skin, without risking any clogging.
Exfoliate: It is always recommended to exfoliate 2-3 times a week, especially in the summer. Not only is it good to remove the dead cells off your skin, but this will also help get rid off any dirt or excess oil that might have accumulated. “Exfoliation is a must! It clears up existing oil and bacteria, removes dead and dry skin cells and inhibits future breakouts – as well as helping to fade post-acne scarring,” says dermatologist and brand founder Dr Goldfaden. We absolutely love the Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, $15.60, which is now available in a jumbo size!
Avoid the sun/wear good SPF: Nobody likes to hear this, but staying out of the sun and wearing a good sunscreen is key to keeping your skin in check (in the summer and the rest of the year). The UV rays are stronger and will create some damage to your skin, so you want to make sure you’re wearing a strong SPF.
Best Treatment for Post-Summer Acne
Exfoliation: For anyone with acne-prone skin, using exfoliating acids in your daily skincare routine is a must, especially in the summer. “Products that contain lactic acid, salicylic or glycolic acid cleanse deep into your pores and allow the bonds between dead skin cells to break down and let go,” says Dr Goldfaden.
Niacinamide is also a great ingredient to incorporate into your routine. It’s one of the best skincare ingredient that has benefits for all skin types and doesn’t react to other products you’re using. When it comes to oily and acne-prone skin, niacinamide will reduce sebum production and keep your skin from getting too oily. If you’ve never used it before, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, $6.00 is a great place to start.
LED light therapy: This one might seem extreme but for those who are dealing with really bad breakouts and cystic acne, a little LED light therapy could help reduce the inflammation. The light will basically kill the bacteria, which will reduce your current breakouts but also keep the bacteria from spreading and more acne to appear.
Ceramides: Sometimes the best solution is to use fewer actives and use hydrating ingredients to help repair a damaged skin barrier. After a lot of sun exposure, your skin might be in need of hydration rather than exfoliation.
Best Skincare to get Rid of Post-Summer Acne
If you’re looking for the best skincare for acne, we have a few recommendations. The key thing to remember is that everyone’s is different and there are many different types of acne, not all of them can be controlled by your skincare. Some of our favourite products to get rid of post-summer acne are:
How to Treat Body Acne
Acne on the face is one thing but body acne, especially back acne can really start flaring up in the summer. “Unfortunately, the back, bottom and chest areas are brilliant breeding grounds for bacteria as they’re typically clothed, so the skin can’t breathe as easily,” explains says brand founder and dermatologist Dr Gary Goldfaden. One of the most difficult things with body acne is that we’re not able to treat it as easily as on our face and our daily movement can sometimes make it worse and spread the bacteria.
Our biggest tip to help get rid of body acne is to switch to a body wash with some exfoliating active like salicylic acid. We like the Mario Badescu AHA Body wash for those days when our skin needs a little extra help
Final Tips to Treat Post-Summer Acne
One thing to keep in mind is that having acne doesn’t mean that your skin is dirty or that you did something wrong or that your skin is not “normal”. Thankfully, this is a time where skincare exist for all skin types and can help you work with any skin issues you might encounter. Also remember that acne will not go away overnight and that consistency is key when it comes to those treatments.
Read More
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