The sun is shining – and so is our skin. And not only in a good way. If you also get more breakouts in the hot months, read on for our skin therapist's Emma's hot (girl) summer skin tool box!
By Emma Stenman, Certified Skin Therapist
Why do I get more pimples in the summer?
There are various reasons why you might get more pimples during the summer. One is so called "Majorca acne" – a common condition (that has nothing to do with it's namesake island!).
The correct, medical name for it "Majorca Acne" is Acne Aestivalis. This acne is a type of sun allergy that can be caused by UV radiation in combination with certain ingredients in products you use.
After sun exposure, it can often show up as small spots or pimples. The easiest way to avoid this allergy is to skip active sunbathing. Product choice also makes a difference.
Another reason why you get sun spots is because of the heat. The heat during the summer means that sebum production can increase slightly - while the drying effects from the sun and salty water mean that the skin is in greater need of moisture. Both the fact that the skin produces more sebum at the same time as it has a greater need for moisture means that it can become unbalanced.
Why does my acne get worse in the summer?
Acne can be triggered by sun and heat, so you may find that it gets worse during the summer. With the help of the sun, you may find that it reduces inflammation in the skin, but you should be careful with too much sunbathing as it can lead to scars in the skin when you have acne. Sunbathing for a long time and a lot also causes you to sweat more and using greasy sunscreens can make acne worse.
How do I aviod breakouts in the summer?
Here's a few things that will help if you have acne-prone skin are:
CLEANSE! Proper cleansing twice a day to remove sunscreen residue and excess oil and sweat.
TONE! Using a gentle salicylic acid toner to loosen dead skin cells, sweat and sebum that's trapped in the pores.
HYDRATE! Switching to an oil-free moisturiser in the day.
PROTECT! Using a lightweight SPF.
1. Effective and gentle cleansing
A good skincare routine starts with cleansing! This is a very important step to avoid clogged pores, as clogged pores can cause acne.
Cloud Wash easily removes make-up, irritating impurities and excess sebum without drying out or disrupting the skin's important protective barrier. Washing your face twice with cleanser, Cloud Wash is perfect as it is a cleanser with micellar technology. This means that it has the ability to remove oil-based products - such as sunscreen - while not drying out the skin.
...BUT DON'T OVER-WASH!
To best avoid clogged pores, bacteria and breakouts in the skin it's beneficial to wash your face when you are particularly sweaty - for example, after being outdoors or exercising! However, don't wash your face too often. Keep it to a maximum of twice a day to be kind to the skin barrier since a damaged skin barrier can also lead to breakouts in the skin, as well as excessive dryness and irritation. This also makes it even more difficult to treat existing acne.
2. Use a BHA toner a few times per week
In addition to cleansing the skin, it is beneficial to use a product with BHA (like salicylic acid). It's an acid that works effectively to dissolve trapped "gunk" in the skin, exfoliate away dead skin cells and act like a vacuum cleaner for the pores! Cloud Water is a toner that you use after cleansing. It's mild enough to be used everyday for most people, but start with 2-3 times per week if new to exfoliating acids or have sensitive skin. But never exfoliate more than once a day, and avoid mixing with other exfoliating products.
3. Mist with Hypochlorous acid
Hypochlorous acid is not only brilliant to tackle acne bacteria on your face– it works just as well on the body, thanks to its antibacterial and inflammatory effects. Mist frequently after showering and during/straight after workouts to prevent breakouts and soothe angry skin.
Even oily skin gets thirsty in the heat. Use moisturiser even if you feel greasy, but swap rich formulas to light hydrators, like Cloud Jelly It's made with 4% niacinamide that balances your oil production, minimise the look of enlarged pores and ramps up hydration levels. Cloud Jelly is also packed with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 and glycerine, that will give skin enough skin enough hydration so it doesn't feel the need to turn on the oil tap. You can layer our milky serum Cloud Milk under any moisturiser – it's made with 10% azelaic acid that creates an unwelcoming microflora for acne bacteria. It also targets hyperpigmentation, which tends to increase in the summer.
5. Use light but high SPF
Daily sun protection is essential for ALL skins to prevent damage, but if you have scars or post-inflammatory marks, these can worsen if your skin starts to tan. Go for an oil-free, lightweight SPF50 and re-apply every 2nd hour.
Common Clouds Cloud Screen is of course made without any oils or fatty acids that are known to clog pores. Shop Cloud Screen here!
Using sunscreen has a number of benefits (such as preventing premature aging and skin cancer) - not least if you want to minimise the risk of sun pimples that can appear on both your face and body.
If you have acne-prone skin or get pimples easily from being in the sun, it's a good idea to choose a sunscreen with a light consistency to avoid clogging your pores as some sunscreens do indeed clog up pores – and causing pimples to form.
What clogs up our skin is highly individual, but most sunscreen manufacturers clearly states on the packaging if the formula is regarded non-comedogenic.
Also, skip body products on the face as they usually have a greasier texture which can clog and cause spots!
Other tips for happier, less breakout-prone summer skin
STAY COOL! Keep your cool in the shade when the sun is peaking mid-day. Pore-clogging sweat, increased oil production and humidity forms the perfect breeding ground for breakouts. As the sun also dries out skin, your skin might compensate by producing even MORE sebum for bacteria to feast on.
WEAR A (CLEAN!) HAT A cap or hat protects your skin from harmful UV-rays AND looks fancy - what’s not to love? But make sure to clean the inside of the hat/cap once a week to prevent forehead flare-ups. So called "acne mechanica", where a fabric, helmet or hat rubs against skin and traps pore-clogging debris, is common in the summer.
LET LOOSE! Working out or just sweating in the heat? Tight-fitting clothes in non-breathable materials can trap sweat, bacteria and oil in the pores. Always shower straight after working out. Ofc you can use Cloud Water on your back (if you’re flexible enough).
