How To Control Acne In The Summer

May 26, 20223 min read

Updated: Sep 1, 2023

Summer is a celebrated season, often beloved for its warmer weather and longer days. Beach trips, more outdoor exposure, and the switch to lighter, breezier clothing is what many people look forward to this season. However, these changes are not the only things to prepare for. Your skin health should also be considered: beyond just an increase in sunscreen application, too.

Certain skin conditions, such as acne, can flare up in the summer. This occurs due to changes in the environment like increased temperatures and higher humidity, which lead your skin to increase its sweat and oil production. For patients that experience acne, this is a familiar step towards a breakout. This is because sweat, oil and other debris can clog pores.

With the weather warming and in flux, it is important to consider how to transition your skin regimen, as well. Adjusting your regimen based on the seasonal environment and certain conditions can be beneficial for acne-prone skin, especially if you notice your acne symptoms worsening in the summer. A skincare professional can help you identify your skin’s evolving needs and point you in the right direction on how to maintain it in its most optimal state, no matter the environment you live in.

These helpful tips below can also help to detox your summer skin and keep it in its optimal state:

EXFOLIATE A key part of any skincare regimen is exfoliation. In the summer, it’s especially important to exfoliate to keep pores clear. Incorporating a product like Exfoliating Cleanser, which is specifically formulated for acne-prone skin, can help clear surface impurities without leaving skin feeling stripped or dry. A combination of gentle physical exfoliation from eco-friendly jojoba beads and chemical exfoliation from salicylic acid keep breakouts at bay.

TONE Toning is the process of controlling surface oil, restoring pH and soothing dry skin. For patients with acne or oily skin, this is a step you don’t want to miss in your skincare routine. Oil Control Pads are a great acne treatment option. Its triple acid formulation is designed specifically to decongest pores, reduce breakouts and mattify the skin.

AT-HOME TREATMENTS Pamper your skin at-home. Masques and peels are a great way to detox and encourage skin renewal, ensuring skin health all summer. Complexion Clearing Masque brings a spa experience to you with its natural, clay-based formula, which is perfect to purify pores and

absorb excess oil that can lead to future breakouts. Not only is it suitable for face but also can work as a spot treatment on stubborn body acne. To revive dull-looking skin and add in a little extra exfoliation, Enzymatic Peel is a great option for most skin types. Not only does it offer enzymatic and chemical exfoliation, but also smooths the appearance of uneven, rough textured skin.

WEAR CLOTHING THAT BREATHES Acne doesn’t only appear on the face but also on parts of the body that typically are covered by tight clothing. In the summer, choosing to wear breathable fabrics, such as cotton or linen, can reduce the chance of breakouts. This can help minimize the sweat that sticks onto skin and gives it a chance to evaporate away, leaving you not only cooler but less likely to breakout.

SUNSCREEN One of the ultimate ways to combat acne is to protect your skin from the damaging effects of UVA/UVB and IR-A rays, and from HEV light. Sunscreen + Primer SPF 30 is recommended for daily use by the Skin Cancer Foundation and also doubles as a makeup primer for a smooth matte finish, blurring blemishes + other imperfections. For easy and quick touchups throughout the day try ZO's Sunscreen + Powder SPF 45.