Summer does wonders for our mood. We spend more time outdoors, enjoy the sun, and often feel more energetic. However, not everyone notices this on their skin. Do you experience more pimples, blackheads, or a shiny T-zone during warm periods? Then you are certainly not alone. Many people experience more impurities precisely in the summer.
But why is that exactly? And more importantly: what can you do to keep your skin balanced?
There isn't one single cause. Usually, it's a combination of different factors that causes pores to clog more easily.
1. More sweat and sebum
When temperatures rise, your body sweats more to cool down. At the same time, the skin often produces more sebum. This mixture of sweat, sebum, and dead skin cells can accumulate on the skin, causing pores to clog more quickly.
The result? Blackheads, pimples, and skin that feels less clean.
2. Sunscreen and makeup
Sun protection is essential, but together with make-up, sweat, and sebum, more product can be left on the skin.
If the skin is not properly cleansed at the end of the day, impurities can develop more quickly.
3. Vacation habits
Our routines often change during the summer.
We sleep less regularly, eat differently, travel more, and spend more hours outdoors. This can affect how our skin behaves.
Many people feel that their skin improves during a sunny holiday. And in the short term, this may seem to be the case. The sun can temporarily make redness less visible and dry out the skin a little. This can sometimes make pimples seem less prominent. But this effect is usually temporary.
Over time, UV radiation can dry out the skin, causing it to produce more sebum to compensate for that moisture loss. This can again lead to clogged pores and impurities. That's why daily sun protection remains important, even for blemished skin.
Luckily, you don't have to completely change your routine. Often, a few simple habits can make a big difference.
Cleanse your skin gently but consistently. Good cleansing helps remove excess sebum, sunscreen, and impurities.
Opt for a mild cleanser that doesn't dry out the skin. An aggressive approach can disrupt the skin barrier and actually stimulate sebum production.
Don't forget hydration. Oily skin still needs hydration.
When your skin dries out, it may try to compensate by producing more sebum. A light, nourishing skincare product helps keep the skin in balance.
Exfoliate in moderation. A gentle scrub can help remove accumulated dead skin cells and keep pores clear.
Once or twice a week is sufficient for most skin types.
Touch your face as little as possible. On warm days, we often unconsciously touch our face more frequently. Bacteria, dirt, and sebum can more easily transfer to the skin via our hands.
A small habit that often makes more of a difference than you think.
