​​Why Acne Can Get Worse in the Summer

Acne is bad enough at any time of year. But come the summer months, many find the condition deteriorates further. Thankfully, with a bit of knowledge (and, in some cases, a helping hand from a great dermatologist), it’s possible to turn the tide on such miserable annual flare-ups.

Read on to find out how…

The Relationship Between Acne and the Summer Climate

• All you need to know about the worsening of acne in the summer
• 7 simple steps to reducing flare-ups of acne in the summer

All you need to know about the worsening of acne in the summer

To understand why acne can get worse in the summer, we first need to explore the reason it occurs in the first place.

Acne generally occurs when the skin pores become clogged. This happens because the natural lifecycle of skin cells sees the outermost layers flake away. The body produces a natural skin oil—called sebum—that assists with this. However, those who suffer from acne tend to have sebum that’s of a thicker consistency, making it extra sticky. This stickiness causes the dead skin cells to block the pores, resulting in what we see as acne.

As you can probably imagine, the excess heat in the summer exacerbates this. This creates a perfect storm within the skin pores, where sebum and dead skin cells become trapped. No oxygen can get in and bacteria are free to flourish. When this happens, inflammation occurs, and voila! The acne gets worse.

7 simple steps to reducing flare-ups of acne in the summer 

Now that we understand why acne can worsen in the summer months, we can put together an action plan to help reduce the root cause of the problem. The following are 7 effective strategies that’ll go a long way to reducing the misery that many acne sufferers have to put up with as the mercury rises. 

1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize: Don’t be fooled into thinking moisturizer makes the skin oilier—nothing could be further from the truth. Failing to keep the outer surface of the skin in great condition can make the condition even worse. But be sure to use a good quality, lightweight option that includes hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and/or niacinamide.
2. Protect your skin from the sun: Wide brim hats and staying in the shade will help, but don’t forget to use sunscreen. This should contain minimum or—preferably—no oil, otherwise, you’ll only add to the issue of blocked pores. Find a mineral-based option that’s oil-free and super-light. Make sure they don’t contain ingredients such as benzophenones, cinnamates, octocrylene, or preservatives. Instead, look for ones that use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to block the UV rays.
3. Go easy on the acne treatments: There are multiple OTC treatments for acne. However, tread cautiously with their use, as the chemicals they contain can cause some acne to get worse. It all depends on your skin type, so if you do go down this route, be sure to patch test over a few days or weeks before a full application. 
4. Use the right cleanser: Avoid those with alpha-hydroxy acids or salicylic acid. Instead, a benzoyl peroxide cleanser is often very successful, thanks to its antibacterial qualities.
5. Exfoliate: The use of a chemical exfoliation will help banish toxins and skin impurities. It’ll also slough off the top dead layer of skin and increase cell turnover. Not only does this reveal the healthy skin below, but it’ll also reduce the look of any enlarged pores. Try a glycolic exfoliant morning and evening for the best results. 
6. Wear natural fibers: This will help you to avoid excessive sweating, allowing areas such as the chest and back to breathe. Another tip is not to sit around in wet swimmers, as both chlorine and saltwater will increase the levels of acne-forming bacteria within the skin pores. Shower as soon as you get out of the water, plus gentle washing of your face whenever you sweat will also be beneficial.
7. Partner with a great dermatologist: For some, even the most meticulous skin care regimes will fail to prevent summer acne outbreaks. If this is the case, getting expert advice and treatment from a dermatologist will be key to controlling and improving the quality of your skin.

Acne in the Summer Getting You Down? Contact Bayou City Dermatology for the Best Treatment & Advice 

At Bayou City Dermatology, the treatment of acne is a true specialty. We truly believe that everyone has the potential to love the skin they’re in and we offer the very latest treatments to create a bespoke plan to target your acne issues.

Don’t suffer in silence. Visit https://www.bayoucitydermatology.com/clinical/acne-treatment to find out more and book a no-obligation appointment today.