Post-holiday acne

Summer is almost over, and it will no doubt have taken its toll on our skin. If you are one of those people with oily or acne-prone skin, you will have noticed that during the summer season your skin is brighter than ever and without a trace of imperfections. However, when the summer is over, the opposite is true. This is known as the “acne rebound effect” or “post-holiday acne“.

After a few months in which the sun seems to help acne, it is common for oily skin to experience a worsening. The truth is that the relationship between acne and the sun is complex. Mainly because sun exposure can have a positive effect on acne lesions and, at the same time, be an aggravating factor.

In summer, the amount of time spent in the sun increases. During this time, skins can experience a certain improvement as ultraviolet radiation exerts an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action. Pimples and blackheads tend to subside and the skin appears duller, with less oiliness. Also, the sun has a drying effect, as does seawater, and the colour of the tan helps to cover these imperfections, improving the appearance of the skin.

This situation often leads us to stop using the cosmetics that we consider to be our best allies during the rest of the year, which is a serious mistake. After the initial improvement, we must bear in mind that, with high exposure to the sun, the horny layer, the outermost layer of the skin, thickens to protect itself from radiation and, as a result, pores can easily become clogged. Humidity, heat, sunscreen, chlorine, etc., are other factors that trigger the appearance or aggravation of acne after the summer season.

For this reason, it is essential to be aware of how much the sun can affect our skin. With the intention of reducing or avoiding the appearance of these possible outbreaks after the summer, the best advice we can give you is as follows:

• Follow a good facial routine during the summer. This can help us to alleviate this rebound effect. We recommend the use of suitable cleansers that purify in depth and remove excess oil, without dehydrating the skin.
• Include products with sebum-regulating active ingredients such as: Salicylic acid, this is a beta hydroxy acid that dissolves excess oil and gently exfoliates dead skin cells, Glycolic acid, this is an alpha hydroxy acid that gently exfoliates the skin and helps remove dead skin cells that can clog pores and Retinol, Retinoids cause skin cells to renew at a faster rate, decrease oil production and help exfoliate the skin.
• Finally, it is essential to choose the right sunscreen, which must be suitable for each individual’s skin. In the case of people with acne it is preferable to use non-greasy filters, light emulsions or gels.

At Uniquely we take into account every factor that affects your skin in order to offer you the most suitable combination of ingredients for your skin care at all times. Do you want to discover the facial care you will need next autumn? Here you have the link to our test.