Acne Solutions for Warmer Weather

With warmer weather comes outdoor activities, fresh springy clothes and makeup, and a lighter, brighter attitude. One not-so-fun aspect to more humid climes…acne.

Sorry I had to go there, but dealing with breakouts can be quite an issue this time of year. Even if you don’t exactly have acne, your skin may be acting differently now that the dry, cold months of winter are gone. This year, with its funky up and down weather, is especially hard on skin.

Spring/Summer Acne Guide

Ok, so let’s start at the top. Cleanser. If you’ve been using a more hydrating cleanser through winter it is time to switch things up. A mild gel cleanser will do the trick. Just B SWIPE Natural Face Rinse is the perfect product. Designed for teens and those on the go (read: tend to overlook skin care) this wash swipes on like a toner and cleans skin gently. What better for summer? And don’t forget to exfoliate. SKIN Fruity Face Cleansing Scrub twice weekly ought to do it.

As for moisturizer…yes, you still need it. Many people make the mistake of forgoing moisturizer once weather warms up and skin is less dry. This causes the skin to create more oils, in effort to replace the missing moisture, and *ta-da!* zits. Rather than ditching the moisturizer, opt for a lighter product. Try Acure Organics Oil Control Facial Moisturizer. Lavera FACES Organic Calendula Mattifying Balancing Cream is another one of my faves.

Already have pimples you need to deal with?  My advice: leave them alone unless absolutely necessary. Squeezing them will only lead to a bigger spot and possibly cause infection. If you absolutely need to squeeze a pimple, do so gently and apply ice afterward to reduce inflammation and redness. For dealing with blackheads try an absorbent facial mask. This is a much better alternative to extraction, which should be left to the pros.

Did you know that what you eat can affect your skin too?  That’s right.  Eat lots of fresh foods and drink plenty of water to keep your system, and skin, clear and healthy.

[Image by tommerton2010 at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license]