{"id":11330,"date":"2025-05-07T15:55:37","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T10:25:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/?p=11330"},"modified":"2025-05-07T15:55:37","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T10:25:37","slug":"how-to-transition-your-skincare-routine-for-period-acne-during-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/how-to-transition-your-skincare-routine-for-period-acne-during-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Transition Your Skincare Routine for Period Acne During Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/jocd.12777\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shows that over 40% of people see their acne get worse during the summer months. That\u2019s why you need to rethink your skincare as soon as the temperature rises. So, let\u2019s understand the science behind it all and help you build a skincare routine for period acne during summer!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Understanding the Period-Acne Connection <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s start with answering the question a lot of us have asked ourselves &#8211; why do I get acne around my periods? The one-word answer is: hormones.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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\u2019s an increase in oil-boosting hormones like testosterone (yes, women have it too!).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This hormonal switch-up causes your oil glands to produce more sebum, which clogs your pores and traps dirt and bacteria, leading to breakouts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/period-acne-a-comprehensive-guide-to-understanding-and-managing-breakouts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Adding Summer to the Period-Acne Combo<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it is normal to experience more breakouts during your periods, it is also normal for them to get worse in the summer. Here\u2019s why:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>1. Clogged Pores<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The excess sweat during the summer can mix with your dead skin cells, clogging your pores and ultimately leading to acne. This is why <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aad.org\/public\/everyday-care\/skin-care-secrets\/routine\/prevent-summer-skin-problems\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">experts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> advise people with acne-prone skin to wear loose-fitting clothes in the summer and stay out of the sun as much as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. Product Buildup<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While you\u2019re 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, we are not saying you shouldn\u2019t be using sunscreen. We just want you to look for the right one. Pick lightweight sunscreens that won\u2019t clog your pores.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>3. Acne-Causing Bacteria\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The humidity and sweating in summer create a perfect breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria, leading to breakouts, redness and inflammation. This is why <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aad.org\/public\/everyday-care\/skin-care-secrets\/routine\/prevent-summer-skin-problems\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dermatologists<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> advise people to keep blotting their skin with a clean towel when it\u2019s hot out.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>The Best Skincare Routine for Period Acne During Summer<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Step 1: Gentle Cleansing<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The goal is to gently remove dirt, sweat, and excess oil from your skin\u2019s surface without irritating or drying it out. But since most of these impurities aren\u2019t water-soluble, you need to wash your face twice daily with a non-soap cleanser.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC3088928\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shows that, for acne-prone skin, you should look for a cleanser that is:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Non-comedogenic (doesn\u2019t clog pores)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Non-acnegenic<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Non-irritating<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Non-allergenic<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/treat-acne-prone-skin-with-these-products\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this blog<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Step 2: Mild Exfoliation<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For blackheads and whiteheads on the nose, exfoliate using nose strips. If you\u2019re worried about skin irritation, go for something soothing like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/nose-strips\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nua\u2019s Nose Strips<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They\u2019re enriched with matcha, witch hazel, and aloe vera to clean things up while maintaining your skin barrier.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Step 3: Light-Weight Moisturizer<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moisturizing makes skin oily and causes acne. This is 100% not true. Multiple <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4025519\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">studies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> prove that moisturizing is important, even if you have acne-prone skin. Dry skin makes your body produce more oil, which causes more acne.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure to use a moisturizer that isn\u2019t heavy. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aad.org\/public\/diseases\/acne\/skin-care\/moisturizer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> advise thinking super lightweight and oil-free. The keyword here is \u201cnon-comedogenic.\u201d As long as a product says that, you\u2019re good to go!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Step 4: Pimple Patches<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/pimple-patch?srsltid=AfmBOooDDeoMy3X_kULsifnHCQi2VHjV9mtTV83tOPC5uz45sr98s30D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nua\u2019s Pimple Patch<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which has salicylic acid, a hero ingredient for acne-prone skin that calms down breakouts, as per <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30972839\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">research<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Step 5: Sun Protection<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One golden rule everyone should live by is applying sunscreen every single day, especially when it\u2019s 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+.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And remember, simply buying the sunscreen and using it once is not enough. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hopkinsmedicine.org\/health\/wellness-and-prevention\/sunscreen-and-your-morning-routine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Researchers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> say you have to generously re-apply it every two hours, particularly when outdoors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Step 6: Lifestyle Changes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s no study (yet!) that says drinking more water will clear your acne. But here\u2019s what we do know &#8211; drinking at least 2 litres of water daily <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4529263\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increases skin hydration<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 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!<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>2. Stay active<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Turns out, regular exercise might just be another way to manage acne. A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8018252\/#sec1-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found that people who exercised more had better skin hydration and barrier function. Why? Because exercise improves skin structure and moisturizing function.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can walk, jog, swim, play a sport or do aerobics &#8211; whatever suits you, just as long as you stay active!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find out more useful tips on how to keep your skin glowing throughout the summer <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/summer-skin-care-tips-to-keep-you-glowing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>3. Let\u2019s talk food!<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s no doubt that diet plays a very big role in skin health. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8971946\/#sec4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 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:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">whole grains<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">legumes<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fruits and nuts<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">green leafy vegetables<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tomatoes<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blueberries<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">beans, peas, and lentils<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fatty fish<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Here\u2019s the Bottom Tan-Line! (Lol)<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have your own summer skin tips for period acne &#8211; share them in the comments! We\u2019d love to learn from you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summers and periods are not a great combination for your skin. Why? Because the heat, sweat, and hormonal changes exacerbate&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":132,"featured_media":11350,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_typography_data":[],"_editorskit_blocks_typography":"","_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[864,863],"tags":[813,2108,2596,169],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11330"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/132"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11330"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11330\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11351,"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11330\/revisions\/11351"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11350"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11330"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}