During the summer, my acne and blackheads are noticeably worse. I did a bit of reading, and this seems to be a pretty common problem. Hot weather leads to extra sweat and oil production. Naturally, that can leave skin looking less than stellar.
I decided to research how to prevent summer acne, and I’m sharing my favorite tips with you. Below you’ll find some ways to deal with breaking out in the summer. With the right skincare routine, you may stop or prevent pesky blemishes. Read on to discover what truly works for me.
Keys To Preventing Summer Breakouts
Use Oil-Free Skincare Products and Cosmetics
When your skin is already producing more oil, the last thing you want to do is add to it. Unfortunately, tons of skincare products are riddled with oil. From face wash to foundation, many products you may own can make your blackheads and acne worse.
The good news is that oil-free products are affordable and easily accessible. Neutrogena offers a highly-rated oil-free moisturizer that contains SPF 35, and it costs less than $9. For me, one summer must-have is oil-free foundation or BB cream. My go-to foundation is Maybelline’s FIT Me Matte + Poreless. It diminishes the appearance of pores and costs about $6 – does it get any better than that?
Pick Primers and Other Products That Absorb Oil
This tip is more about maintaining an oil-free look all day long. It’s really simple and doesn’t cost a fortune. Just use products that are designed to absorb oil. I personally use products like this year round because of my perpetually oily skin. They make such a huge difference! Most of these products contain dimethicone, a mattifying ingredient that improves the texture of your skin.
My favorite primer is NYX Pore Filler Primer. This dimethicone-based primer gives my skin a satiny smooth finish that’s completely matte. I usually wear it under NYX BB Cream, which also contains dimethicone and gives sheer, even coverage. Simply look for makeup and skincare products that say ‘absorbs oil’, ‘mattifying’, or products that contain dimethicone.
Establish A Skincare Routine And Stick To It
I know that this sounds pretty obvious, but it can be surprisingly difficult to stick to a detailed skincare routine. However, taking time to do so is truly the best way to treat and prevent summer acne and blackheads. Here’s my summer skincare regimen:
- Moisturize twice per day. Make sure to use a moisturizer with SPF during the day. At night, I use a very light Neutrogena night cream. I used to be tempted to skip on moisturizer; it felt like an unnecessary step for someone with such oily skin. But it’s so crucial if you want healthy skin in the long run. Don’t skip this step!
- Exfoliate regularly, but don’t overdo it. Exfoliating two to three times per week is plenty, and this Glamour article explains why. To sum it up, overdoing it can really damage your skin. You can use a chemical based exfoliator that dissolves dead skin cells. Physical exfoliators contain small beads or granules that slough off dead skin cells.
- Use a facial mask to absorb excess oil. I usually do this once or twice per week. Our post about the best drugstore face masks covers many affordable options. During the summer, Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque is my go-to. It’s a clay mask designed for oily and acne prone skin.
- Wash twice per day. I use Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser in the morning and Burt’s Bees Soap Bark and Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream. Both options are super budget-friendly and work really well for me. If you wear makeup, make sure to use a makeup remover prior to washing.
Keep in mind that this is what works for my oily skin. You may change your routine to suit your needs. For example, many people with sensitive skin only use an exfoliator twice per week. As long as you consistently follow your routine, that’s what truly matters. Do what works the best for you!
Launder Your Sheets and Towels More Often
I read this little tidbit on a skincare forum, and it’s made a major difference for me. Oil from your hair and your skin accumulate on your sheets and towels. If you’re prone to breakouts, this can be pretty hazardous for your skin. Additionally, more sweat in the summer can lead to more oil accumulation on your linens.
To keep oil exposure to a minimum, consider changing your pillowcases every few nights. You can cut down on laundry by turning your pillowcases inside out, so you get two nights of use. Do the same with towels you use on your face. Alternatively, consider using paper towels to dry your face after you wash it. This drastically reduces the amount of bacteria your skin is exposed to.
Step Up Your Hydration Game
It’s pretty common knowledge that staying properly hydrated is crucial. It’s also a great way to keep your skin healthy. An article from the University of Wisconsin sheds a lot of valuable insight on to why that’s the case. Overall, our skin is an organ made up of cells, and it needs sufficient hydration. Without it, skin can become dehydrated, dry, and won’t get rid of toxins properly. Some people even report a healthier glow and less acne when they increase their water consumption. The article suggests drinking at least eight glasses of water per day.
In my experience, drinking more water absolutely seems to help my skin. It looks brighter and seems to break out less. Your results may vary, but it certainly doesn’t hurt! At the very least, you’ll give your skin the nourishment it needs to stay healthy.
Create An On-The-Go Skincare Kit
This tip is one that I came up with on my own. I’ve always kept things like spare makeup remover wipes and such in my makeup bag. I noticed that recently, my bag is much more full. So during the summer months, I keep a separate bag for skincare essentials. It’s such a lifesaver whether I’m running errands or just enjoy the outdoors. These are the items I keep in my kit:
- Simple Kind to Skin Facial Wipes – I’ve used tons of different cleansing wipes, and these ones beat out the rest. They easily remove waterproof mascara, eyeliner, and all other traces of makeup. They’re great when you want clean skin but you’re in a bind. Plus, they’re made for sensitive skin and contain super soothing ingredients. It doesn’t get better than that.
- Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs and Rosewater – I mentioned the awesome properties of this product above. Those benefits are precisely why this is a staple in my skincare bag. When it’s time to freshen up in the sweltering heat, this soothing spray does the trick.
- Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets – If you have oily skin, you know how the following story goes. You apply your makeup perfectly, and your face is shining with oil within hours. These wipes absorb oil without smudging your makeup. I love them all year round, but they’re especially useful during the summer.
- e.l.f. Acne Fighting Spot Gel with Aloe – I’ve been using this e.l.f. product for at least five years now. It’s a small, portable acne spot gel treatment. It uses a roller ball to apply the gel, which contains aloe, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and witch hazel. The latter three ingredients are my ideal trifecta for banishing zits. For me, this portable little gem produces results within about one to three days. Perfect!
Conclusion: It’s Possible To Banish Summer Acne Breakouts!
Give these tips a try if you’re tired of battling acne and blackheads during these hot months. I’m optimistic that these remedies will work for you. From summer acne home remedies to the product recommendations, there’s truly something for everyone.
Additionally, I always love hearing your feedback on our posts. Drop a comment below if you find these ideas useful. You may also want to share some tips of your own – go for it! Lastly, make sure to join our e-mail list and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Amy Baum
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