Summer skin conditions¹

Acne

Acne can be caused when the pores are clogged by a mixture of sweat, bacteria and oils. When we sweat more in the summer heat this can make breakouts more likely. You can recommend the following self-care tips to help prevent breakouts.

Advise customers to:

• Blot sweat from their skin with a clean towel or cloth. Wiping sweat off can irritate the skin, which can lead to a breakout
• Wash sweaty clothes, headbands, towels and hats before wearing them again
• Use non-comedogenic products, such as sun cream, on their face, neck, back and chest. The label may also say “oil free” or “won’t clog pores”
• Wash their hair regularly. The oil from the hair can cause acne on the forehead. If the customer has oily hair, they should shampoo more often using a shampoo for oily hair and keep their hair away from their face
• Use a non-comedogenic sunscreen – this is particularly important as many acne medications can make the skin very sensitive to the sun.

Dry skin⁴

The top layers of the skin form the epidermal barrier which serves a number of functions, including maintaining the water content of the skin, preventing and responding to invasion by microbial organisms and antigens, and reducing the effects of ultraviolent (UV) light exposure. 

When skin is healthy, it has a smooth texture and has enough elasticity to result in stretching rather than breakage. When the skin is compromised by losing too much water or having the wrong balance of lipids, the barrier breaks down, increasing the speed of water loss and leading to scaly and flaky skin and loss of elasticity. Sun and heat to the skin barrier becoming compromised.

People who already suffer from dry skin conditions are more likely to experience increased water loss, which then exacerbates their dry skin. The epidermal barrier can be supported by regular use of an emollient and by using gentle cleansing products that won’t strip the natural oils from the skin.

Other tips for helping to maintain the epidermal barrier are:²

• Stop smoking
• Drink plenty of water
• Reduce the length of baths or showers
• Avoid harsh soaps and bubble baths
• Protect the skin from UV damage by using an SPF 30 or 50 when going outdoors.