Skin Saviours: How To Prevent Summer Breakouts

Here at bellabox, we REALLY love summer. But what we don’t love so much are the breakouts that can be caused by all that sunscreen, spray tanning, and excess sweat. Even those with usually flawless skin can get the odd breakout as the temperatures rise, and those who already suffer from acne may find the situation gets worse.

But you needn’t take to wearing a kaftan all summer to cover that bacne! To help keep your face and bod in smooth, blemish-free condition all year long, we’ve done some digging. Read on for our top tips for beating the heat, preventing pimples, and banishing blackheads. Out, damned spot! 

Why Is Our Skin More Prone to Pimples in Summer?

There are a bunch of reasons skin tends to get more spotty as the weather warms up:

• Sunscreen, spray tans and self tanning products can clog your pores
• Excess sweat can lead to bacterial overgrowth, resulting in breakouts
• Heat and humidity trigger the skin’s oil production, which can also lead to breakouts
• Our days are often spent lounging around in swimwear, without washing off all the sunscreen, salt and chlorine on the skin… yuck!
• Sun exposure can dry out your skin, causing your oil glands to overproduce oil
• Sunburn can also exacerbate acne
• We sometimes forget to change our cosmetics and skincare to lighter, oil-free formulations more suitable to the summer months

How to Avoid Breakouts

• Always opt for non-comedogenic, oil-free sunscreen and tanning products
• Change up your beauty regime to include products that prevent, as well as treat, breakouts
• Continue to moisturise, as dry skin will overcompensate by producing more oil, but opt for a lighter formulation
• Do not use ultra-harsh, stripping cleansers or toners or wash the face excessively, as again this will trigger the skin to create more oil
• Wear breathable, natural fabrics to avoid body breakouts
• When working out, wear breathable fabrics or those which wick away sweat, to avoid bacterial overgrowth in damp spots
• Make sure you shower immediately after working out, using an anti-bacterial wash (medicated anti-acne wash)
• Exfoliate the face regularly to cleanse deep down inside the pores
• Carry blotting papers with you to mop up any excess oil on the face
• Invest in a mineral powder makeup to combat an oily complexion

The Anti-Breakout Essentials

For the Face

Go-To Exfoliating Swipeys

Single-use exfoliating facial pads that gently remove dead skin cells and grime, while also hydrating.

Clearasil Daily Clear Skin Perfecting Wash Sensitive

Don’t wait until the zits have appeared! This super-gentle, exfoliating and hydrating daily face wash is a summer essential for even the most sensitive of skins. It fights the causes of pimples without leaving you with that icky tight, squeaky face sensation.

Curtis Collection Naked Glow CC Cream SPF20

This little oil-free beauty boasts SPF protection and auto corrects to your exact skintone for natural coverage, while minimising redness, shine, and the appearance of pores. Clever.

Clearasil Ultra Rapid Action Daily Cream Wash

If you’re suffering from blemishes, this medicated, dermatologist-formulated wash has been proven to help calm the situation and open clogged pores in just 12 hours.

NYX Matte Blotting Paper

Mop up excess oil on the go with these handy, portable blotting papers. A summer handbag essential.

Clearasil Daily Clear Superfruits Refreshing Wash

This refreshing foaming cleanser is gentle enough for daily use, formulated with antioxidant-rich raspberry and cranberry extracts, and Vitamin B3.

ASAP Pure Mineral Makeup SPF15

Like a concealer, foundation and sunscreen in one, this lovely, mattifying mineral makeup powder is ideal for sensitive skins. Oily skin’s number one enemy.

Clearasil Daily Clear Refreshing Superfruit Toner

As well as smelling delish, this gentle, daily-use toner removes dirt, oil and makeup and helps prevent blemishes.

For the Body

Body Babes Orange Body Scrub

Formulated with 100% natural ingredients, including Arabica coffee beans, sweet almond oil, brown sugar, sea salt, orange essential oil, water, and vitamin E, this lush exfoliating scrub targets acne, as well as eczema, cellulite and stretch marks. 

Paula’s Choice Clear Acne Body Spray

Formulated with 2% salicylic acid, this hard-working body spray is the business for fighting bacne. Alcohol-free and suitable for all skin types, it is recommended for use on acne, blackheads, and Keratosis Pilaris. 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Body Wash

A refreshing, soap-free wash formulated with tea tree and lemon to put a pep in your step, while helping to prevent breakouts.

Nike Pro Hypercool 2.0 Women’s Training Tank Top

With a mesh back panel and moisture-wicking technology, this sporty Nike tank will keep you cool and bacteria-free while you work out.

Cover Image Source: Pinterest