The increase in acne is a major concern for dermatologists during the summer months. The moment the days get slightly warmer and the sky turns sunny, most of us start to crave the great outdoors. But all this heat, sweat, and sun create a perfect concoction of brew ingredients that are sure to trigger breakouts. The skincare regime will need to have seasonal tweaking. Here’s how you can avoid summer acne so that your skin looks and feels as good as the weather does.
Skin Cleanliness in summer
Sweat tends to mix up with the oil that sits atop your skin, which merges with dirt plus bacteria—usually causing clogged pores and acne. Develop the frequent cleansing habit in such a way that one cleans the face twice daily, that is, morning and night, using gentle cleansers, usually without oils. Look for formulas that can help draw out sweat and dirt from your skin but won’t dry it out. Also, look for a cleanser containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, because ingredients like these assist in skin exfoliation and are known to work against breakouts.
Drink plenty of water
Keeping the skin well-moistened, especially during the hottest summer months, is paramount. Adequate water intake will balance out your skin’s moisture and may even lessen excess oil production in the body. Begin by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day and hydrate on fruits and vegetables as well. Proper hydration would maintain skin texture and elasticity not just for acne prevention.
Use Non-Comedogenic Products
Noncomedogenic products will not clog your pores. And when choosing sunscreens, moisturizers, and makeup, go for non-comedogenic ones. This will prevent the build-up of oil and bacteria that eventually cause acne. In addition, choose mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide because they are less likely to cause breakouts compared to chemical sunscreen.
Exfoliate Regularly
Exfoliation will, therefore, eliminate the cells that are dead and tend to build up on the skin, causing acne. It’s just that when you overdo it, it can make your skin worse, more irritated, and more aggravated acne. Try exfoliating your skin 1-2 times a week with a gentle exfoliant. Most chemical exfoliants that have AHA or BHA will work better and are way gentler on the skin than physical scrubs. This is because they break down the accumulation of dead cells, reducing pore blockage.
Protect Your Skin from the Sun
The little sun does it well, but more sunlight equates to more damage done to your skin and acne. If UV exposure has taken too much time from your skin or you have been sunburned, the skin will start being reactive, which incidentally will reactivate the production of more oils and instances of inflammation. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least 30 SPF always, even on cloudy days. Stay in the shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat for added protection, particularly during peak hours of the sun.
Don’t touch your face
Whenever you touch your face, you transfer oils, dirt, and bacteria from your hands to your face, and this is a sure break-out trigger. Try to be aware of how much you touch your face throughout the day, and just try not to rest your chin or cheeks in your hands. This is especially true if you’re sweating, as the added sweat might carry some extra bacteria and other irritants. Keeping your hands as clean as possible and reducing face-touching habits can do a lot to reduce the possibility of contracting acne.
Watch Your Diet
One can greatly participate in acne prevention through diet. Although the connection between diet and acne can be complex, some foods impair skin health. On the other hand, with some other people, it is highly linked to the high intake of refined sugar foods and dairy products. Instead, focus on a diet filled with a good balance of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Foods like green leafy vegetables, berries, nuts, and whole grains will give a major extent of support to your skin. In addition to this diet, omega-3 fatty acids from fish and flaxseeds are advisable to minimize inflammation and maximize skin clarity.
Conclusion
Incorporate good skincare habits this summer with these dietary changes and sun protection to be pimple-free. Have clean skin, and plenty of water to keep you all well-hydrated, pick the right products, and eat a balanced diet. All of the above will help keep acne at bay so that you are guaranteed clear, healthy skin throughout the season. Remember, consistency is key. Those little changes are going to show within your skin as it responds to the season.
