Dermatologists: how to avoid summer breakouts?

With summer comes a lot of great things - vacations in the tropics, time spent by the pool, beach walks with friends - and there is something even worse: sunburn, scorching heat and, of course, those terrible summer breakouts. The fact is that summer can be hard on our skin. Whether it's irritation from the elements we come into contact with (read: chlorine, salt water) or skin sweating, summer acne may seem inevitable. But not all hope is lost. Skincare.com turned to board-certified dermatologist Amanda Doyle, MD, to find the best way to avoid this all-too-common skin problem altogether.

1. What are some of the causes of summer breakouts?

The most common causes of breakouts in summer are due to the warmer weather we experience at this time of year. Warm weather leads to excess sweating and sebum production, which creates an environment in which acne-causing bacteria thrive. This is the most common reason.

Also, since summer tends to be the quieter time of the year, some people don't eat as healthy or follow their skin care regimes as regularly, which can also lead to more acne.

2. What is the best way to avoid them?

The best way to avoid summer breakouts is to make a skin care plan before the summer, so it's more about maintenance than correction. I like lighter treatments combined with sunscreen and other patient sunscreens in the summer, so consider oil-free serums instead of oils, lotion instead of cream, and avoid ointments. Top Tip: Add skin care products containing natural tomato extract rich in lycopene and other carotenoids to your skincare routine and your skin will glow from within! Lycopene is an antioxidant that helps balance the skin's response to the sun, making skin firmer and healthier in the summer.

3. Should summer breakouts be treated differently than winter breakouts?

You just have to be mindful of the different treatment options. Many of the acne treatments make the skin more sensitive or sensitive to the sun and sun exposure.

4. How should your skincare routine change during the summer to keep your skin as clear as possible?

In the summer, I like lighter gel or serum-based products that are oil-free to avoid anything too heavy. For OTC products I like SkinCeuticals Age and imperfectionsbased on salicylic acid.