source: flickr by: bass_nroll
The Sun and Your Acne-Prone Skin: How to Stay Clear During Summer
Summer is a fun, beautiful time of year. The clear, warm weather allows us to enjoy vacationing, spending time on the beach or at the lake, and adding some color to our complexions. Unfortunately, summer brings new obstacles when it comes to caring for acne-prone skin. Acne skin care during summer doesn’t have to change much; simply remember the following suggestions to help your skin stay clear while you enjoy the heat.
Clean
The heat of summer brings with it sweat, and lots of it. The combination of heat, sweat and chafing clothes can result in a form of acne all its own: acne mechanica. Acne mechanica can be prevented by wearing natural, breathable fabrics such as cotton or bamboo, and by showering as soon as possible after sweating. Use an acne treatment product containing salicylic, lactic or glycolic acid on the face and body to keep the skin clear, calm and comfortable.
Lighten
Lighten your moisturizer, that is. In the winter, more emollient skin care creams or lotions are great for keeping dryness at bay. In summer, however, a lighter moisturizing cream will suffice. Make sure to choose a formulation marked “oil-free” or “non-comedogenic” to ensure blemish-free use.
As an aside, many acne sufferers don’t like using moisturizers because they feel that their skin is already to greasy or oily. Don’t let oily skin keep you from moisturizing! Not all daily moisturizers are heavy or greasy. In fact, many creams and lotions absorb quickly and completely to leave a soft yet residue-free finish.
Control
Oil-control during summer is essential for keeping your skin clear. Using an acne-indicated cleanser twice daily does a great job of keeping oil under control, though using an oil-absorbing mask once or twice a week may be helpful as well. Start with two daily cleansings to see how it effects your oil production. If you feel you need the extra boost of a mask, choose a natural acne product with antioxidants and absorbent clays, such as kaolin clay.
Moderate
Contrary to popular belief, not all sun exposure is bad. Adults should get around 15 minutes of unprotected exposure every day to absorb the proper amount of vitamin D. Too little sun exposure could result in a vitamin D deficiency, which could then lead to rickets. However, too much exposure can cause extreme damage to the skin, including skin wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and even skin cancer.
In addition, a little sun exposure can help the appearance of acne, while too much can exacerbate the condition by causing excessive oil production and increased dead skin cells — the perfect storm for clogging pores. The key is moderation; try applying your broad-spectrum skin care sunscreen 5-10 minutes before you leave the house. Since sunscreen doesn’t “kick in” for 20-30 minutes after application, this application window will allow a small amount of unprotected sun exposure, followed by 90-120 minutes of sun damage prevention.