Summer Skincare Concerns: Summer Acne And More
As the seasons change, our skin presents us with new challenges. But there’s no reason to panic. There’s always something you can do to help get yourself back on track.
Last November, we looked at what causes winter acne and you may have guessed what our next topic is, that’s right – summer acne! Not all acne is made equal and, as the months pass by, our skin reacts to the world around us in different ways.
If you’ve been breaking out recently, keep reading. It’s time to talk about summer acne and how to help your skin overcome it during the next few months.
What Causes Summer Acne?
It’s common knowledge that cold weather can make your skin dry, and warm weather does just the opposite. We all love enjoying the sun (after taking the necessary precautions such as applying SPF, of course) when we can but this doesn’t always end well for your skin.
During the summer months, oil production often increases. Paired with sweat, pollution and makeup – this creates the perfect environment for clogged pores to thrive. And, as we all know, clogged pores lead to acne.
Naturally, the weather might not be entirely to blame but it can make existing acne worse. If you already suffer from acne, you might need to take additional steps to ensure this condition doesn’t become worse in the summer.
How To Manage Summer Acne
This might seem like an obvious point to make but you should stop touching your face! This can be a tricky thing to accomplish, especially if you’re blotting your face or fixing your makeup. Yet, in doing so, you might be introducing bacteria to your skin. If you need to touch your face for any reason, make sure you wash your hands beforehand.
Even if you’re wearing less makeup than you usually would due to the heat, cleansing your face thoroughly is still incredibly important. You need to make sure the daily dirt and grime that accumulates on your skin is washed off every evening, along with any moisturisers, SPF and other products you might be using. One way to do this is by double cleansing. The first cleanser you use will break down the products and dirt on your skin and the second can address your specific concerns, whether that’s acne or anything else you may be struggling with.
Other Summer Skin Concerns
Some people suffer from seasonal acne and some don’t come into contact with it at all. On the opposite end of the spectrum, your skin might start to dry out as the weather does. There might be several factors contributing to your dry skin – sun exposure, a lack of moisture or maybe even chlorine if you’ve been visiting the pool.
If you have been swimming or sweating a lot, showering as soon as you can is the best thing you can do. Moisturising your entire body, not just your face, is also important. A fast-absorbing moisturiser will not only save your skin, but save you some time too. The skin is the body’s largest organ and it needs to be treated with caution and care.
It is also wise to stay out of the sun during peak hours (11am – 3pm) and if you are spending time outside, make sure you apply sunscreen. SPF 30 is the absolute minimum you need to wear all year round to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. A broad-spectrum sunscreen will safeguard you from both UVA and UVB rays. They have the potential to damage your skin if you are not careful.
Short-term damage in the form of sunburn should ideally be avoided but if you do get burned, apply soothing gels and creams until the irritation has subsided. The more often you suffer from sunburn, the more likely it is that you will develop skin cancer. This may seem dramatic but it’s true. By taking the necessary precautions, you reduce your own risk.
Dr Firas
If your seasonal acne looks like it’s sticking around, or you’re suffering from sun-damaged skin in the form of fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation, you might need professional help and advice.
Dr Firas Al-Niaimi has over twenty years of experience and understands that everyone’s skin is different. He has helped countless people with their skin concerns and you could be next!
To find out more, get in touch with Dr Firas today by calling 0208 191 8871, emailing info@drfirasalniaimi.co.uk or visiting his website. You can also follow him on Facebook and Instagram.