Experts tend to agree that sun exposure may initially improve the appearance of acne by drying out sebum. Plus, when your skin is tanned, pimples and acne marks may look less noticeable. But these effects are short lived. In fact, the drying effect of sun exposure can ultimately make acne worse.
While you may experience a short term “drying up” of your acne after being in the sun—and it may seem as though getting a tan could help camouflage breakouts—the sun will actually worsen acne in the end. Plus, any healing acne lesions or scabs exposed to sun can become permanently darker, leaving you with worse scars.
Many people believe sun exposure dries out acne-causing oil, thereby curing breakouts. Additionally, getting a tan can temporarily camouflage the blemishes on your face. While that strategy will work in the short run, exposing your skin to too much sun will eventually backfire, causing more breakouts in the future.
“Ocean water contains high levels of salt, which has a drying and exfoliating effect on the skin. There are anecdotal reports of ocean water clearing up skin conditions like acne. The salt helps remove excess oil from the skin to dry out pimples,” Dr. Zeichner confirms to Teen Vogue.
Some people find that spending time in the sun during the summer months also helps to improve their skin. This may be because the anti-inflammatory effects of UV light help to reduce swelling and redness.
Unfortunately, the sun can actually do more harm than good for your acne. Dermatologist Jessica Wu, M.D, author of Feed Your Face states, “the sun's UV rays zap acne-causing bacteria, which is why pimples may clear up temporarily. Plus, pimples and red marks may look less obvious when your skin is tanned.”
Over time, UV damage can take a toll on your skin and its underlying connective tissue. As a result, your skin may develop more wrinkles and lines. Too much sun exposure can also raise your risk for skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the United States.
Salt water is a powerful acne medication that works by cleansing the cells and reducing the bacteria – while keep the skin pH levels intake. Salt water straight from the ocean is one of the best ways to take advantage of this because its natural and rich in minerals.
Kiwis, cherries, and stone fruits (like peaches, nectarines, and plums) may be good for acne because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Kiwis are a high fiber fruit packed with vitamin C and vitamin E. Peaches have b-complex vitamins, which may help improve skin tone and texture.
When used on inflammatory acne, ice also has the potential to decrease redness, thereby making your pimples less noticeable. It can also treat pain that occurs with cystic and nodular acne. This is due to the short-term numbing effect ice creates.
Healing skin conditions
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) , sun exposure might help treat several skin conditions, too. Doctors have recommended UV radiation exposure to treat: psoriasis. eczema.
Sun in essential to our psychological and physical wellbeing. An appropriate amount is good for our skin too – it can help to reduce inflammatory conditions such as acne and Atopic Dermatitis – but too much sun is harmful for the skin and can cause sunburn and, in the worst cases, skin cancer.
Acne commonly starts during puberty between the ages of 10 and 13 and tends to be worse in people with oily skin. Teenage acne usually lasts for five to 10 years, normally going away during the early 20s. It occurs in both sexes, although teenage boys tend to have the most severe cases.
Acne is most common in girls from the ages of 14 to 17, and in boys from the ages of 16 to 19. Most people have acne on and off for several years before their symptoms start to improve as they get older. Acne often disappears when a person is in their mid-20s. In some cases, acne can continue into adult life.
Acne may worsen if you: Get too little sleep. Eat certain foods. Use oily makeup and skin care products.
Swimming in a pool can help prevent, minimize, or treat acne breakouts. Why? Chlorine has antibacterial properties, so it can help reduce the size and amount of breakouts by drying the acne out.
Scrubbing Your Face
But excessive and aggressive washing can actually irritate your skin, causing it to overproduce sebum, which clogs your pores and may make breakouts worse. Plus, scrubbing your skin can increase inflammation, causing your existing blemishes to look redder and more irritated.
Examples include white bread, corn flakes, puffed rice, potato chips, white potatoes or fries, doughnuts or other pastries, sugary drinks such as milkshakes, and white rice. Findings from small studies suggest that following a low-glycemic diet may reduce the amount of acne you have.
Isotretinoin: This is a potent medicine that attacks all four causes of acne—bacteria, clogged pores, excess oil, and inflammation (redness and swelling). About 85% of patients see permanent clearing after one course of isotretinoin.
It's worth seeking out an oil-free sunscreen that's designed for acne-prone skin. This means it should be non-comedogenic i.e. it won't block your pores. If you have very sensitive skin, a mineral sunscreen (rather than a chemical sunscreen) will usually be better, as these types tend to be less irritating.