Your sunburn can affect your acne, here's how to deal with it

Of all the skin barriers we desperately try not to face in the summer, sunburns are at the top of our list. We know how important it is to put on sunscreen and reapplying SPF whenever we're in the sun - but for those of us with oily, acne-prone skin, using a heavy SPF on our pimples causes discomfort and sometimes we burn in those areas. In the event of sunburn on your acne, we spoke to a certified dermatologist and Skincare.com expert. Joshua Zeichner, MD, to understand what to do.

Does sunburn make acne worse?

According to Dr. Zeichner, sunburn doesn't necessarily make acne worse, but it can interfere with acne treatment. “Sunburn leads to skin irritation and inflammation, which can worsen acne treatment,” he says. "Also, many acne medications irritate the skin themselves, so you won't be able to use them if you get burned."

What to do if you get sunburn over acne

Dr. Zeichner's number one tip is to treat sunburn first. "Stick with gentle cleansing that won't break down the outer layer of skin," he says. “You want to make sure you moisturize your skin to boost hydration and help reduce inflammation. In the case of severe sunburn, acne treatment should be secondary; The most important thing to do is to first help the skin heal after a burn.

Sunscreens for acne-prone skin

Of course, choosing the right sunscreen for acne-prone skin will help you avoid sunburn. “If you have acne, look for oil-free sunscreens labeled non-comedogenic,” says Dr. Zeichner. "These sunscreens have a lighter consistency that won't weigh down the skin, and the term 'non-comedogenic' means the formula contains only ingredients that won't block your pores." Lancôme Bienfait UV SPF 50+ or La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Sunscreen two good options from our parent company L'Oréal.