How to Prevent Summer Acne, According to Dermatologists

With warm weather comes long weekends, trips to the beach, and, inevitably, summer acne—a phenomenon that sends breakouts to the surface of skin. But while you may have experienced an increased number of zits through summer, there’s no clear scientific consensus about it, according to New York, NY board-certified dermatologist Carmen Castilla, MD, “Not everyone experiences a seasonal variability in their acne,” she says.

However, if you tend to be prone to acne, it’s unlikely that it’ll get better in the summer. “Acne is not necessarily more prevalent in the summer versus the winter, but certain patients break out more,” says Morgan Rabach, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY. “Since the summer tends to make people more oily, those with oily skin to start may find the additional clogging will cause them to break out.” The combination of excess oil and sweat can create the ideal conditions for a breakout; when we sweat, it can cause the outer layer of dead skin cells—which typically slough off on their own—to stick to skin, leading to more congestion than usual.

Fortunately, adjusting your skincare routine can help you stay ahead of breakouts, whether you experience hormonal acne or only see pimples every so often. Here’s what the experts recommend.

Vogue‘s Favorite Summer Acne Solutions

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Cleanse strategically

While a cleanser is a year-round essential, consider switching to a gentle, foaming formula during the warmer months. Rabach recommends face washes that contain salicylic acid, especially “if the skin is overly shiny and oily,” she says; the salicylic acid in question is oil-soluble, so it can sink deep into pores and clear out clogs. It can also address the sweat, since the salicylic acid gently sloughs away dead skin cells trapped on skin’s surface.

Avène

Cleanance Acne Medicated Clearing Gel Cleanser

This gentle formula pairs 2% salicylic acid with the brand’s soothing thermal spring water.

Herbivore Botanicals

Aquarius BHA + ZINC Clarity Cleanser

It harnesses salicylic acid-rich willow bark and zinc to leave skin matte and clear.

Medik8

For extra pore-clearing power, this pairs salicylic acid with alpha hydroxy acids to exfoliate and smooth.

Sofie Pavitt Face

Sensitive skin types can rest easy with this foaming cleanser, which eschews exfoliants in favor of soothing ingredients, while still minimizing breakouts.

Target with a spot treatment

A spot treatment is the trick to minimizing individual zits; and Rabach recommends looking for formulas with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide (which targets acne-causing bacteria), although you can find gentler options that don’t inadvertently dry out skin. Some ingredients pull double-duty: Niacinamide, for instance, not only reduces excess sebum production, but also helps even out skin tone—addressing both breakouts and the consequent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in one fell swoop.

Hero Cosmetics

Mighty Patch Mini Invisible

These gentle, non-drying hydrocolloid patches now come in an even smaller size for undetectable wear.

Embryolisse

This French-made paste dries out pimples with yellow clay and quells inflammation with turmeric.

Dr. Dennis Gross

A powerful blend of 2% salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and azelaic acid makes quick work of black- and whiteheads alike.

Kiehl’s

Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Solution

This clear liquid dries quickly to seal in the 2% salicylic acid and 4% niacinamide, which has the added benefit of fading dark spots.

Introduce (or level up) a retinoid

The advantage of a retinoid—a class of vitamin A derivatives that includes retinol, retinal, and prescription-strength formulas—is that it can “help reduce oil production, unclog pores, and help prevent breakouts,” says Rabach. In other words, they provide both treatment and prevention for summer acne.

Until recently, though, the general guidance steered people away from retinoids in the summer, as they can make skin sensitive to sunlight. However, it’s entirely possible to introduce or continue to use a retinoid at night during the summer months so long as you use proper sun protection, per Castilla. In fact, the weather might even work in your favor. “Warm, humid weather typically allows people to tolerate their acne regimen, especially retinoids better,” she says. “People often find that while in the winter they can only tolerate a retinoid two to three times a week, whereas in the summer months they can use one almost every day.” That’s because skin tends to be dry in the winter, which can leave skin more vulnerable to irritation from acne products—retinoids included.

Skinbetter

With retinol, alpha hydroxy acid, and salicylic acid, this surprisingly gentle formula is a one-stop shop for clear skin.

La Roche-Posay

Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1%

A dab of this prescription-strength French pharmacy gel helps calm and prevent even the most stubborn breakouts.

iS Clinical

The combination of retinol, bakuchiol, and antioxidants makes this ideal for those targeting both acne and signs of aging.

Differin

Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

Another prescription-strength retinoid, this improves both acne as well as overall skin tone and texture.

Be wise and moisturize

Those with acne still need to moisturize—for one, some ingredients used to fight acne can compromise the skin barrier; regularly moisturizing can offset this. And depriving your skin of moisture can trigger your skin to overcompensate by producing excess oil, a key component of clogged pores.

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