Four Ways to Avoid Summer Acne
Photo: courtesy of CeraVe1/4Change Your Cleanser
"The heat and humidity of the summer months make your sweat and oil glands go into overdrive," explains Joshua Zeichner, MD, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Medical Center. "More oil, sweat, and trapped dirt can clog pores and lead to breakouts. This may mean a change in your facial cleanser. In general, I recommend non-soap, gentle cleansers for the face. They're non-irritating and effective and removing dirt and oil. However, if they're not enough in the summer, choose a foaming cleanser, which may be more effective at removing oil."
Photo: courtesy of Cetaphil2/4Prep Your Skin
"Believe it or not, some moisturizers can actually help mattify your skin. Oil-free moisturizers contain dimethicone, which can absorb oil and make your face look less shiny. Makeup primers also reduce oiliness and should be put on before any other products."
Photo: courtesy of Sephora3/4Don't Wash Too Much
"Over-washing the face can cause more harm than good. Removing too much oil can irritate the skin can paradoxically stimulate the body to produce more oil. Rather than wash every time you feel greasy, try blotting paper."
Photo: courtesy of Neutrogena4/4Remove Daily Build-Up
"Sweat, oil, and dirt build up on your skin, especially during the summer. Sometimes, you may need a strong cleanser with salicylic acid to remove it from your skin. Start off using the product every other night, because you don't want to overly dry out your skin. After two weeks, if you're not dry or irritated, move on to every night."
