“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.
The naturally occurring minerals in sea water can help to reduce the risk of a breakout by absorbing bacteria and restoring healthy pH levels in the skin. It can also soothe redness and irritation to calm acne-prone skin.
Sun Exposure & Acne
Manalo says, “The main reason people believe that the sun is beneficial for acne is that UV ray damage destroys bacteria that contribute to the development of pimples, especially deeper and more severe breakouts. This can cause pimples to clear up.
UV rays have an immunosuppressive, and therefore an anti-inflammatory effect. As a result, some people with acne and/or blemish-prone skin report that their skin condition improves with moderate exposure to the sun.
Swimming in salt water can have a slight exfoliating effect, helping to increase cell turnover, remove dead cells, and restore brightness to the skin. There are very few natural ways to exfoliate your whole body, so best to make the most of it this summer.
On vacation, your skin greatly appreciates the anti-inflammatory effect of the sun's UV rays. When skin is exposed to UV rays , it becomes thicker. Sebum is blocked, and the skin is drier, preventing pimples from breaking out. Once back from vacation, the skin regains its normal thickness.
The survey reflected this—with 35% of participants reported noticing lessened acne and breakouts after being by the sea.
Chlorine disrupts the function of acne-causing bacteria by breaking down their cellular processes. This reduces the number of bacteria on the skin, helping to lessen the redness and pain of pimples.
Acne scarring is used to refer to the various marks that acne breakouts may leave behind. It is fair to say that a tan can give the illusion of reduced scarring however this is far from the case. Once the tan has faded the UV exposure is likely to leave scars more noticeable and less likely to fade over time.
Sunlight rays
This means that ultraviolet light can reduce redness and swelling, which can help with certain skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis.
Regular application of salt water to the skin can lead to irritation, damage the skin barrier, and potentially worsen conditions like acne for many people. Ultimately, while salt water may offer some benefits, it should not be seen as a standalone treatment for acne.
Tanning beds emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is known to suppress sebum production and kill Corynebacterium acnes, the main pathogen that predisposes to acne. However, cumulative UV damage increases the risk of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma.
In the randomized controlled trial of 39 acne patients with vitamin D deficiency, oral vitamin D supplementation produced a significant improvement in acne inflammation.
Sodium chloride helps to cleanse the skin and is effective for mild acne as it helps to cleanse pores deeply, and balance oil production. As if anyone needed an excuse to head to the beach! Acne can be caused by hormonal changes, mineral deficiency, bad hygiene and increased stress.
While saltwater can add minerals to the hair and scalp, it can also cause dryness and brittleness. Saltwater and hair don't usually result in a positive interaction. Saltwater can strip hair color and weaken hair structure, so it is important to be careful with saltwater to maintain healthy hair.
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.
Natural sunlight provides vitamin D which helps the body in many ways, in terms of hair growth Vitamin D helps create new hair follicles. Heliosis or exposure to the sun also has applications for promoting hair growth. Experts recommend exposing one's self to midday rays of the sun for around 10-30 minutes a day.
Swimming is a great way to give your skin a healthy glow.
This increases blood flow to the body, helps nourish skin cells, and boosts metabolism. In simpler terms, swimming stimulates your metabolism by increasing the circulation of blood. As a result, toxin removal is facilitated.
Chlorinated water can make your hair dry and weak, which can cause breakage. While regular tap water contains chlorine, it usually doesn't contain enough to be a problem for regular showers. But the increased amount found in pools can have damaging effects on your hair and skin with more frequent exposure.
Chlorine in swimming pools can kill acne-causing bacteria, but it also strips the skin of its natural oils and good bacteria, potentially leading to more acne in the long run. Prolonged exposure to chlorine can cause skin dryness, irritation, and even discoloration, which can worsen acne.
Jones noted that the salt in ocean water can exfoliate skin, too. It can “get rid of the rough skin that builds up over time, removes those dead skin cells and then gives you this fresh, new skin underneath,” Jones said. This will leave you with brighter and smoother skin, added Garshick.
It may help keep wounds clean: Salt may have antimicrobial properties that can help kill bacteria and other germs that may cause infections, which may help prevent infections by helping keep wounds clean. It may help reduce acne and inflammation: Is salt water good for acne?
There is real scientific evidence that breathing the ocean air and/or spending some time on the beach delivers many health benefits. In addition to improving lung function, a few days seaside can reduce the symptoms of some skin conditions, including eczema.