How to prevent summer breakouts, according to a dermatologist

There’s never a good time to deal with getaways, but it’s mostly disappointing holidays or weddings on the horizon. At this time of year with hot temperatures (and in some places, humid ones), I’m finding “how to avoid summer getaways” on Google so I can keep track of them.

Sunkissed. Bright. Natural. When we think of summer skin, these are the descriptors of the holy grails. But I’ll bet I’m not the only one who further distorts the skin’s prediction with the “possibility of dry burst” chlorine, UV rays, which our skin suffers from sweat and moisture during these summer months.

In an effort to figure out how to avoid summer getaways (thankfully before they lift blacks), I went to the skin guru and dermatologist, Dr. Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce at Westlake Dermatology here in Austin. She received the most practical and helpful guide ever to prevent and eliminate adult acne.

Go to her research support tips, and I’d love to hear in the comments what you did when it came to keeping your skin clean on those hot summer days.

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image: kristen kilpatrick

Why do summer getaways happen?

Heat, sweat and friction can lead to increased leaks during the hot months. Match these factors with heavy makeup or occlusive skin products and you have a recipe for new acne. It is also a popular time to travel in the summer, so we expose the skin to new environments and often skip or forget the usual skin care habit.

What ingredients should I use to prevent acne on my skin in the summer?

For prevention, try lighter makeup or makeup powdered sunscreen. Avoid moisturizers or heavy oils. And even if you are able to escape in the winter, don’t let it wash your face twice a day. If you know you have a tendency to acne, try adding it cleaner has a small percentage of that salicylic acid, beta-hydroxy acid it comes from the bark of willow trees and helps keep the skin clean.

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image: kristen kilpatrick

Give us your best prevention in the morning skin care routine:

1. Wipe your face with a gentle cleaning (try with a little mechanical exfoliation like a sugar bushes or use Clarice brush if you tend to have acne).
2. Apply a topical antioxidant containing vitamin C, for example Skinceuticals Phloretin or Review Vitamin C Lotion 30% (Skip those with vitamin E for now because they can be occlusive and cause more fractures).
3. Apply light sunscreen designed for acne-prone skin (e.g. Elta Garbia, Contains vitamin B, niacinamide) and then make-up, or first finish with your makeup and then powder with sunscreen. Colorscience The unforgettable sun or Supergoop Invincible Setting Dust.

And your best prevention in the afternoon skin care routine:

If you enjoy sunbathing, first remove your makeup / sunscreen / dirt / etc. with gentle cleaning.

1. Wipe your face with a gentle cleaning.
2. Consider applying one astringent if you are extra greasy in the summer (but be careful not to dry your skin too much).
3. Apply a light moisturizer which will not block pores, such as with green tea or even Neutrogena oil-free moisturizing acne (containing salicylic acid).

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How should I treat acne myself do Fracture?

If you make little progress, you can try it twice a day, simplifying your skin care regimen and avoiding heavy or greasy makeup or topical products. If that doesn’t work, go to your nearest drugstore, take it cleansing with salicylic acid (or benzoyl peroxide if you are good at avoiding sun exposure).

If you spend days outdoors, avoid products that treat acne, but increase your risk of sunburn. These include benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid and retinoids. Give the new regimen time to work for at least a month, and if that fails, go to a bar-certified dermatologist for help, because acne may have a hormonal component or it needs a topical prescription medication to get it under control.

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photo by kathryn worsham

Any dietary recommendations to encourage light skin in the summer?

Summer is the best time to recharge fruits and vegetables, are full of antioxidants that are great for skin health. It’s a good time to cut out too much processed sugar starches and red meats because it can help with your breakouts. When you are eager crispy snack, choose nuts over chips or crackers Nuts have a good amount of good fats and minerals, as they help reduce inflammation and also fight acne.

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photo by kathryn worsham

When should I see a dermatologist to escape?

See your dermatologist if your fall does not respond to simple over-the-counter treatments or if it affects new areas of the body, are painful, or leaves scars. Office treatment options include a prescription regimen tailored to your skin care needs, a range of chemical peels, extractions, injections into cystic bumps, as well as light and laser treatments.

Thank you, Dr. Geddes-Bruce! Follow her on Instagram for more skin care tips and tricks.

This message was originally posted on July 9, 2020 and has been updated ever since.