Sunshine, sea swims, and long days — summer brings so much to love. But for many people, the warmer months also bring an unwanted guest: summer acne. If your skin seems to break out more during summer, you’re not alone. In fact, there’s a very real reason why blemishes can flare up as the temperature rises. Here’s how to make the most of your summer without sacrificing your skin.
What Is Summer Acne?
Summer acne is exactly what it sounds like — acne breakouts that become more frequent or severe during the warmer months. It usually appears on areas where sweat and oil are more likely to accumulate, like the face, back, and chest.
Even people who don’t normally suffer from acne might notice the odd breakout in summer due to increased heat, humidity, and the use of heavy products that trap dirt and sweat on the skin.
Does Summer Affect Acne?
Acne is a complex skin condition often related to excess oil production, clogged pores, bacteria, and inflammation. However, summer conditions can significantly exacerbate these underlying factors.
Heat and humidity in the summer lead to increased sweat and oil production on the skin. When sweat mixes with oil and dirt, it can clog pores and trigger breakouts. At the same time, sun exposure dries out the skin’s surface, prompting it to overproduce oil in an attempt to stay balanced. To make matters worse, heavy sunscreens and makeup can trap heat, oil, and debris, further contributing to congestion and inflammation. In short: summer creates the perfect storm for breakouts.
Here are some of the key summer triggers for acne flare-ups:
1. Heat + Humidity – Hot, sticky weather increases sweat and oil production. If this isn’t washed away effectively, it sits on the skin, clogging pores and feeding the bacteria (P. acnes) that cause inflammation and breakouts.
2. Sun Exposure – Too much sun can dry out the surface of your skin. While this might feel helpful short-term, it causes your skin to overcompensate by producing more sebum (oil). Plus, the sun accelerates skin cell turnover while you’re in it, but slows it back down after exposure, leaving dead skin sitting on the surface and clogging pores.
3. Chlorine and Saltwater – Chlorine strips natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation, prompting your skin to overproduce oil. Saltwater can also dry out the skin with prolonged exposure, again encouraging oil production to compensate.
4. Comedogenic Products – Using rich, heavy creams or oil-based makeup that’s not suited to summer can trap sweat and oil under the skin. This can quickly lead to congestion and breakouts. If you haven’t shifted into a lighter summer skincare routine, now’s the time.
How to Prevent Summer Acne
The good news? With the right skincare swaps and a few smart habits, you can keep breakouts at bay all summer long.
Cleanse More Often — But Gently
Cleansing is of paramount importance during hotter months. Removing sweat, makeup and oil will ensure that they do not clog pores and form new spots. You may need to cleanse more frequently in summer — especially after sweating — but over-cleansing or using harsh products can strip your skin and trigger more oil production.
Hydraclean delivers a deep, thorough cleanse without leaving skin dry or tight, thanks to its nourishing fatty acids. Ideal for all skin types—especially oily, congested, and blemish-prone—it features rosehip seed oil, rich in linoleic acid and vitamin C, to strengthen the skin barrier, reduce breakouts, and provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Rose geranium water soothes and tones even sensitive skin, while geranium oil and Chondrus Crispus seaweed offer additional antioxidant protection and moisture retention. Gentle yet effective, Hydraclean is a summer skincare essential.
Keep Skin Hydrated
Skipping moisturiser is a mistake many people make in summer, especially if their skin feels oily. But sweating actually dehydrates your skin. And dehydrated skin can lead to even more oil production resulting in acne.
Stress Defence is a powerful barrier-boosting formula that protects skin from environmental aggressors while locking in moisture. It features two patented brown algae complexes – one to defend against UV and age-related damage, and another to reduce inflammation and dryness. With daily exposure to pollutants, heavy metals, and toxins, Stress Defence acts like a breathable shield without clogging pores. A blend of hyaluronic acid, squalane, jojoba oil, apricot oil, and glycerin deeply hydrates and restores the skin’s barrier, leaving even the driest skin calm, refreshed, and resilient.
Choose the Right Sunscreen
Sunscreen is essential, but many formulas are greasy or pore-clogging. When choosing your sunscreen in summer, be sure to choose a broad spectrum protection sunscreen. SPF only measures protection against UVB rays, not UVA rays. While higher SPF numbers suggest increased sun protection, the difference is often minimal.
CellDerma Ultralight Mineral SPF uses zinc oxide, a mineral filter known for its exceptional broad-spectrum protection, covering both UVA and UVB rays effectively. Unlike many chemical filters, zinc oxide is also highly photostable, maintaining its protective ability over time. It works by deflecting UV radiation rather than absorbing it, offering a soothing, anti-inflammatory effect on the skin rather than the potential pro-inflammatory effects linked to some chemical sunscreens. This sunscreen is great for oily and acne prone skin due to its ultra-absorbent formula that disappears to leave a dry touch.
Summary
While Summer doesn’t directly cause acne, its hot and humid conditions can certainly make it worse. With the right routine – gentle cleansing, proper hydration, non-comedogenic products, and lightweight, protective sunscreen – you can enjoy clear, healthy skin all summer long. If you are concerned with your acne, please seek professional advice from your GP or from an experienced skin practitioner. You can find approved CellDerma partners by visiting the Clinic Search tool.
