Summers and periods are not a great combination for your skin. Why? Because the heat, sweat, and hormonal changes exacerbate acne. So, your regular skincare routine may not cut it for period acne during summer.
Research shows that over 40% of people see their acne get worse during the summer months. That’s why you need to rethink your skincare as soon as the temperature rises. So, let’s understand the science behind it all and help you build a skincare routine for period acne during summer!
Understanding the Period-Acne Connection
Let’s start with answering the question a lot of us have asked ourselves – why do I get acne around my periods? The one-word answer is: hormones.
Hormones like estrogen and progesterone keep your skin balanced by managing your oil (sebum) production. But around your period, these hormone levels drop. At the same time, there’s an increase in oil-boosting hormones like testosterone (yes, women have it too!).
This hormonal switch-up causes your oil glands to produce more sebum, which clogs your pores and traps dirt and bacteria, leading to breakouts.
Plus, the stress of dealing with the other menstrual symptoms like cramps, bloating and fatigue (or what you call PMS) can make acne worse. For more detailed information on period acne, you can check out our blog here.
Adding Summer to the Period-Acne Combo
While it is normal to experience more breakouts during your periods, it is also normal for them to get worse in the summer. Here’s why:
1. Clogged Pores
The excess sweat during the summer can mix with your dead skin cells, clogging your pores and ultimately leading to acne. This is why experts advise people with acne-prone skin to wear loose-fitting clothes in the summer and stay out of the sun as much as possible.
2. Product Buildup
While you’re doing the right thing by applying (and reapplying!) sunscreen in the summer, sometimes, it can build up on your skin and make breakouts worse. This is especially true if your sunscreen is too thick.
Now, we are not saying you shouldn’t be using sunscreen. We just want you to look for the right one. Pick lightweight sunscreens that won’t clog your pores.
3. Acne-Causing Bacteria
The humidity and sweating in summer create a perfect breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria, leading to breakouts, redness and inflammation. This is why dermatologists advise people to keep blotting their skin with a clean towel when it’s hot out.
The Best Skincare Routine for Period Acne During Summer
Step 1: Gentle Cleansing
The goal is to gently remove dirt, sweat, and excess oil from your skin’s surface without irritating or drying it out. But since most of these impurities aren’t water-soluble, you need to wash your face twice daily with a non-soap cleanser.
Research shows that, for acne-prone skin, you should look for a cleanser that is:
- Non-comedogenic (doesn’t clog pores)
- Non-acnegenic
- Non-irritating
- Non-allergenic
Avoid using harsh products to clean your skin and products that contain alcohol, sulfates or fragrances, especially if you have acne. To learn more about the right products for acne-prone skin, check out this blog.
Step 2: Mild Exfoliation
Gently exfoliating your skin helps remove dead cells and unclog pores, leading to fewer breakouts in the future. And for acne-prone skin, mild chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid and lactic acid work best!
For blackheads and whiteheads on the nose, exfoliate using nose strips. If you’re worried about skin irritation, go for something soothing like Nua’s Nose Strips. They’re enriched with matcha, witch hazel, and aloe vera to clean things up while maintaining your skin barrier.
Step 3: Light-Weight Moisturizer
Moisturizing makes skin oily and causes acne. This is 100% not true. Multiple studies prove that moisturizing is important, even if you have acne-prone skin. Dry skin makes your body produce more oil, which causes more acne.
Make sure to use a moisturizer that isn’t heavy. Experts advise thinking super lightweight and oil-free. The keyword here is “non-comedogenic.” As long as a product says that, you’re good to go!
Step 4: Pimple Patches
Squeezing, popping or picking at your pimples is a big NO-NO. It will delay the natural healing process, resulting in infection, scarring and guess what? More pimples!
We suggest using pimple patches. They are made of hydrocolloids that gently pull out excess oil, pus, and fluid from your pimples, helping them heal faster. Try Nua’s Pimple Patch, which has salicylic acid, a hero ingredient for acne-prone skin that calms down breakouts, as per research.
Step 5: Sun Protection
One golden rule everyone should live by is applying sunscreen every single day, especially when it’s summer. But for acne-prone skin, your sunscreen should follow some rules. It should be broad-spectrum, oil-free and non-comedogenic with SPF 50+.
And remember, simply buying the sunscreen and using it once is not enough. Researchers say you have to generously re-apply it every two hours, particularly when outdoors.
Step 6: Lifestyle Changes
Since period acne is a result of hormonal fluctuations inside the body, you can not prevent it completely. But you can reduce it by making some lifestyle changes.
1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
There’s no study (yet!) that says drinking more water will clear your acne. But here’s what we do know – drinking at least 2 litres of water daily increases skin hydration and reduces dryness, which can help prevent acne. It also supports your immune system and may help balance hormones that mess with your skin. So sipping enough water? Totally worth it!
2. Stay active
Turns out, regular exercise might just be another way to manage acne. A study found that people who exercised more had better skin hydration and barrier function. Why? Because exercise improves skin structure and moisturizing function.
You can walk, jog, swim, play a sport or do aerobics – whatever suits you, just as long as you stay active!
Find out more useful tips on how to keep your skin glowing throughout the summer here.
3. Let’s talk food!
There’s no doubt that diet plays a very big role in skin health. Research says high-glycemic foods (like white bread, sweets, potatoes and soda) and dairy can worsen acne. Therefore, your goal should be eating a low-GI diet with omega-3s, and probiotics. This includes:
- whole grains
- legumes
- fruits and nuts
- green leafy vegetables
- tomatoes
- blueberries
- beans, peas, and lentils
- fatty fish
Here’s the Bottom Tan-Line! (Lol)
Unlike other hormonal symptoms that go away once your periods end, acne tends to stay for much longer. This becomes truer during summer when sweat and humidity clog your pores, paving the way for more breakouts. However, the right skincare routine can do wonders in keeping period acne in check while preventing scarring and infections. So, the next time temperatures rise, make sure you have your summertime routine in place to enjoy the season without the annoying breakouts.
Have your own summer skin tips for period acne – share them in the comments! We’d love to learn from you.
