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Stop blaming the weather: Dermatologist Dr Ajay Rana warns that 7 everyday habits are worsening your summer breakouts
Discover effective habits to prevent summer breakouts, from proper cleansing to skincare routines, and learn how daily habits can affect skin health.
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Summer often gets the blame when irritation appears out of nowhere. While heat, humidity, and sweat can leave skin feeling oilier, the weather may not be the only reason. Certain habits that we adopt as part of our summer routine can go unnoticed while wreaking havoc on the skin, causing clogged pores, irritation, and acne.
How to avoid breakouts in summer?
Dermatologist Dr Ajay Rana, Founder & Director, ILAMED, and President of the Indian Society of Aesthetic Medicine (ISAM), shares that a few of these habits are easy to change:
1. Touching your face too often
Of course, with your hands - everybody does it when the weather is hot, whether it is to wipe the sweat from the forehead or cheeks. But hands can carry oil, dirt, and bacteria. Rubbing or touching your face too much can irritate existing pimples and worsen inflammation. Never scrape or rub sweat off your skin; instead, carry a handkerchief or soft tissues and gently dab it away.
2. Not showering your sweat off immediately
Sweating itself doesn't cause acne. But sweat, mixed with oil, sunscreen, makeup, and environmental dirt, can combine to clog pores and irritate the skin. This is particularly after outdoor activity or exercise. If you sweat a lot, wash your face afterward and use a cleanser appropriate for your skin type. Do not scrub too hard to be “extra clean,” as vigorous washing can irritate the skin.
3. Using too many products
A sudden change in your skincare routine during summertime can also affect your skin. In an effort to control excessive oiliness, people might add scrubs, clay masks, and acne treatments to their routine, along with toners and multiple serums. This can sometimes be too much for the skin and may irritate the skin barrier.
A simpler routine is generally better: a mild cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen daily. If you begin an acne treatment, give your skin time to adjust before adding new products, especially if you plan to introduce several new products at once.
4. Mistaking an oily feeling for skin that does not need moisturizer
If your skin is oily, you might think you should skip the moisturizer. But your skin can still get dehydrated, and if you cleanse too much to control oil, it may feel uncomfortable and irritated. If your skin tends to break out, choose a light, hydrating, non-comedogenic moisturizer. An ideal moisturizer should feel comfortable on the skin, not heavy or sticky.
5. Not washing pillowcases and towels regularly
Your pillowcase and face towel are always against your skin. Fabrics collect sweat, oil, leftover skincare products, and dirt over time. Changing a pillowcase won't get rid of acne, but basic hygiene can help minimize unnecessary buildup. In hot weather, a simple habit is to wash face towels regularly and change pillowcases.
6. Sleeping without cleansing your skin
Those glorious long summer days can leave you home tired, but a night of unwashed skin can leave makeup, sunscreen, sweat, and trapped dirt on your face, which can clog your pores. At night, give your skin a thorough cleansing. Don’t scrub hard to remove acne; use mild products to make cleansing easier, especially for those with oily skin.
7. Not considering what happens after a workout
Sweating for hours during a summer workout and going home without a shower can irritate the skin because sweat and damp clothing stay in contact for so long. Wearing wet, sweaty clothes and not washing them soon afterward can cause skin irritation, especially on the face, chest, and back.
Is it bad not to shower after sweating?
Changing out of sweaty clothes and showering after a workout can help keep skin dry and comfortable. In the end, there’s rarely one singular suspect behind summer breakouts. Heat and humidity create the conditions, but how your skin reacts often comes down to everyday habits. Pay attention to small habits around your skincare, hygiene, and routine rather than blaming the weather.
Does acne get worse when you touch it?
If breakouts are frequent, hurt to the touch, or leave scars, it is better to consult a dermatologist than to keep experimenting with new products. Often, the easiest fix is knowing when your skin needs a professional’s hand.
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