The summer heat makes it difficult to care for your skin. The body produces substantial sweat and natural oils from outdoor activities and sun exposure. Let’s make sure your skin has the best summer yet! Read about the common summer skin problems, and learn how to prevent them.
Troublesome Sunburns and Rashes
The sun is at its strongest when the northern hemisphere experiences summer. If you go outside for an hour or two without UV protection, you may suffer from an unruly sunburn or sun rash.
How To Prevent It
The redness of your skin and the pain from the burn is the last thing you want to affect your summer fun. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution: wear sunscreen! Start with a minimum of SPF 30. Some individuals might prefer an SPF 50 for a day of outdoor activities. Be sure to reapply every few hours!
Sunscreen for Your Body
Everyone should wear sunscreen when doing activities outside, even if they think they won’t burn. Sunscreens labeled as “broad spectrum” will prevent both UVA and UVB rays from harming the skin.
Sunscreen for Your Face
Next, choose a facial sunscreen designed for your skin type. Oily, combination, and acne-prone skin benefits from lightweight, oil-free sunscreens that contain zinc. The formula is less likely to enhance shine while providing substantial protection.
Sunscreen will help people with dry skin since it’s more sensitive to the sun’s UV rays. It’s difficult to keep the skin hydrated in the summer, so it’s essential to use hydrating products. Ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter are great for ample protection and hydration.
Irritation From Heat Rashes
A sunburn or sun rash isn’t the only adverse result of spending a lot of time outdoors without UV protection. You may also experience heat rashes on your body.
Heat rashes appear during incredibly hot and humid weather. Tight clothing or areas of the body that experience a great deal of friction from clothing are most susceptible to heat rashes. The pores trap sweat and bacteria, resulting in small blisters or bumps that feel itchy.
How To Prevent It
The trick to avoiding a heat rash is to wear lightweight and loose clothing. Airflow to the skin is essential to prevent this irritating rash from forming. If you succumb to heat rashes despite your best efforts, corticosteroid cream and drying powders are effective solutions.
Red Bumps From Folliculitis
Hair grows from follicles. At times, the follicles become infected and clogged with bacteria, causing red bumps to protrude. This pimple-like spot is called folliculitis. Affected follicles can feel sore and uncomfortable. This is a common summer skin issue because of excessive sweat coming from pores.
How To Prevent It
Most people experience folliculitis because of two different scenarios. If you encounter one of these instances, we’ll share how you can limit the risk of the condition.
Stay Away From Unclean Hot Tubs and Pools
Swimming is a beloved summer pastime. Nevertheless, unclean hot tubs and pools can lead to folliculitis. Home pools, hot tubs, and public pool facilities with improperly sanitized water can lead to infected hair follicles and be troublesome to your skin’s health. If you want to enjoy a day of swimming or relax in a hot tub, confirm with the facility director that the water has been treated.
Another way to avoid this condition is to clean yourself thoroughly after exiting the pool or hot tub. Scrub away the chlorine and bacteria lingering on the skin to prevent the chance of forming folliculitis.
Remove Tight Exercise Clothing
Exercise clothing made of synthetic materials is praised for its flexibility and breathability. However, it’s not a great idea to wear tight leggings, shorts, sports bras, or tops long after finishing your workout. Your hair follicles are at risk of accumulating bacteria and sweat if you don’t remove your exercise clothing promptly after your workout. Leaving the clothing in place for extended periods of time increases the likelihood of folliculitis.
Take off your tight exercise clothes quickly after the workout. It’s best to shower afterward to wash away dirt, oils, and sweat on the skin.
Problematic Acne Breakouts
When those dreaded red bumps pop up on your skin, you instantly wish they would go away! Sadly, you don’t have to have acne-prone skin to have an acne breakout during the summer. Pimples develop when bacteria, dead skin cells, and sebum combine and clog your pores. It results in a swollen, sensitive, red bump.
The mixture of high temperatures, a surge of sweat production, and increased sebum in the summer raises the likelihood of acne flare-ups. Many people experience breakouts along the forehead, upper lip, and back because they are typically “sweaty” areas on the body.
How To Prevent It
Check out these two great ways to clear up acne breakouts in the summer:
Thorough Cleansing
The first step to preventing breakouts is to remove sweaty clothing and accessories as quickly as you can. Sweat sitting on the skin and seeping back into the pores escalates the chance of a breakout. Don’t let sweat and bacteria accumulate overnight. Wash your entire body thoroughly before sleeping. Finish by cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser and moisturizing afterward to prevent your skin from overproducing sebum.
Acne Safe Makeup
Try wearing safe makeup for acne-prone skin. Summer is a time for fun adventures and often brings out the fashionista in all of us! Makeup is a great addition to create the perfect look. However, makeup can clog the pores and worsen acne. Choosing products designed to combat acne is one of the best ways to prevent this common summer skin problem.
Makeup That Melts in the Summertime
Acne-safe makeup isn’t the only product to keep in mind when you want clear skin and makeup that lasts all day. Sweat causes thick or wax-based foundations to melt away and make fine lines more visible. Luckily, you can prevent this unwanted situation.
How To Prevent It
Too much hydration added to the skin can cause your makeup to slip off the skin within an hour. Simplify your skincare routine for the summer to account for excess oil and sweat production. Many moisturizers and hydrating serums can negatively affect your makeup. A sunscreen made for your skin type will suffice as a makeup base in addition to a lightweight primer.
The next trick is to use light makeup products. Tinted moisturizers and lightweight foundations are the best options for the summer. The thin coverage will reduce the risk of splotchy makeup due to sweat or a shiny finish.
Do you struggle with skin conditions each summer? With this list, you can combat any problem that comes your way!