People who suffer from acne often have the false belief that the sun, in addition to tanning your face, removes pimples and pimples from your face, thanks to its drying power. It is true that the sun dries out this rash on the face, but in turn it causes a cornification of the skin and an increase in the sebum that prevents it from completely disappearing… The dermatologist Guillermo Solano-López tells us about the benefits and risks that people with acne tendencies can experience during the summer season of the year. In addition, it indicates that products should be part of the daily routine so as not to have regrowth after the summer. Take note!
How does the sun affect people with acne?
Although the sun has an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect on the skin, the improvement it produces in summer can confuse the patient. Normally, once the summer season ends, the patient presents with significant regrowth. There are even people who start acne in the summer due to the wrong use of sun protection factors. It is true that the sun and water can dry out the skin, causing a marked improvement, but at the same time, due to the effects of the sun, the skin also undergoes thickening, hyperkeratosis, one of the etiopathogenic factors of acne.
What’s the best way/routine to care for acne-prone or oily skin in the summer?
In the summer, the main thing is to simplify the routine. We must choose to moisturize the skin with serums, gels, liquids, so as not to overload it. The sun protection factor should always be 50 on the face and oil-free and non-comedogenic products should be chosen for patients with acne-prone or oily skin. There are certain sunscreens on the market that contain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents in the same sunscreen formulation. It is also important to emphasize that in the evening it is essential to use a cleanser, foam or cleansing oil to remove any excess sunscreen used during the day and to moisturize the skin with an appropriate emollient depending on the skin type .
What ingredients would you recommend for acne-prone skin to use during and after the summer?
In my patients with moderate acne, I usually do not stop with topical treatments such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, retinol, despite the possible photosensitivity they can cause. I always prescribe the treatments and only at night, at a lower concentration than in winter, and avoid using them for a week before prolonged sun exposure. To this I stress to the patient that they should use a sunscreen and an appropriate moisturizer during the day to counteract the drying effects of nighttime treatments. In the case of mild acne, I usually just recommend a good cleansing routine and very mild products such as cosmeceuticals containing for example niacinamide, azelaic acid or products with their own patents that cause little or no irritation, many associated with thermal waters that help soothe inflammation .
Can the acids used in acne-prone skin products stain you?
Brown skin tends to pigmentation with products like acids much more than light skin, therefore it is very sensitive skin. Acids such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, mandelic acid, malic acid can be used with great care in the summer at a very low concentration and provide intense photo protection during the day. For very sensitive or dark skin with a tendency to hyperpigmentation, you should preferably opt for very mild products until the end of the summer period.
What type of photoprotectors would you recommend for acne-prone skin?
There are specific sunscreens for acne-prone skin, which are mattifying, liquid and with an SPF of 50, oil-free and non-comedogenic. The use of very oily or unsuitable products that seal the follicle and cause acne aggravation should always be avoided.
Source: Marie Claire
