Wait, Can Hot Weather Actually Cause Acne? Here's What Dermatologists Say

Every summer, my skin seems to become covered in acne for what feels like no reason at all. It's never that time of the month, and my skincare routine stays exactly the same. The only thing that changes? The weather. So, could the summer heat be the reason my skin suddenly breaks out?

Cold season usually gets the blame for seasonal skin woes, with freezing winds stripping away moisture and blasting radiators leaving skin dry and irritated. But lately, I'm convinced summer is the real culprit behind my annual acne flare-ups.

Five minutes away from my trusty fan is enough to leave me sweating far beyond "dewy" territory—this is more clammy than glowy. Pimples pop up exactly where my sunglasses rest on the sides of my nose, my cheeks turn hot and flushed, and my skin becomes bumpy and reactive. I asked the rest of the Cosmo beauty team if their acne gets worse in the summer, too—and every single one of them said yes.

So to find out what’s going on, I reached out to Ifeoma Ejikeme, MD, medical consultant and founder of the Adonia Medical Clinic, as well as licensed aesthetician and NYC's acne whisperer Sofie Pavitt, to break down exactly why summer can trigger more breakouts—and to share their best tips for preventing them.

Sweat on its own isn't the villain, but leaving it sitting on your face can create a warm, moist environment where bacteria are more likely to thrive, explains Pavitt. "And when sweat combines with whatever else is sitting on your face, the combination can clog pores as well."

There's also the fact that increased humidity and heat can lead to more oil production, resulting in a greasier complexion, says Dr. Ejikeme. "Additionally, higher temperatures can cause dilation of blood vessels, leading to redness and flushing."

For Pavitt's clients with acne-prone skin, summer usually means simplifying their routines even further. "Heat and humidity increase oil production and sweat, so this is not the time for heavy layers or rich textures. You want lightweight, noncomedogenic everything. I always tell clients to swap to a gel moisturizer if they haven't already, make sure their SPF isn't pore-clogging, and really focus on cleansing," Pavitt says. A thorough cleanse at the end of the day is nonnegotiable when you've been sweating (preferably with micellar to begin with, then a foaming gel cleanser to follow).

Your first course of action when breaking out may be to pick up an exfoliating AHA or BHA to erode the breakout gently, but in the summer, when avoiding UVA/UVB rays is as likely as winning the lottery, exfoliating can be tricky to navigate.

"It's important to be mindful of the increased sensitivity to sun damage that can occur when using AHAs such as glycolic acid for certain acne treatments," says Dr. Ejikeme. Instead, she recommends "focusing on adequate cleansing and using noncomedogenic (meaning it won't lead to pore-clogging) moisturizers to keep the skin hydrated without clogging pores."

Pavitt agrees and says things like retinols and acids can make your skin more sun-sensitive. "I always say low and slow is better than hitting your skin hard, and that's especially true in the summer when your barrier is already dealing with heat, UV exposure, and sweat," explains Pavitt.

If a spot does occur, Dr. Ejikeme recommends opting for a more targeted approach: "Spot treatments containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can also be very useful."

As for using a trusted retinol, she advises: "As long as good sun protection occurs during the day, you can continue retinoids during the summer months at night." So, you can still use your trusted exfoliant to smooth canvases, but just err on the side of caution.

If there's one thing we've learned, it's that SPF is unavoidable, especially during the summertime, but there are also those who believe it's the root cause of breakouts.

"Wearing SPF more often should not directly lead to breakouts," believes Dr. Ejikeme. "In fact, regular use of sunscreen is crucial for protecting the skin from harmful UV rays and preventing premature aging. However, certain sunscreens can contain ingredients that might clog pores and potentially contribute to breakouts in individuals with acne-prone skin. It's important to choose noncomedogenic, mattifying, or oil-free sunscreens."

Pavitt also adds that sweat mixing with sunscreen and noncomedogenic makeup is a huge cause of breakouts, and not cleansing thoroughly enough after a sweaty day. "I always keep my micellar pads with me during the summer to give my skin a quick refresh when it's feeling heavy before I reapply SPF," Pavitt says.

If you're looking for a cheat sheet, here are Dr. Ejikeme's and Pavitt's top tips (and things to avoid) for keeping summer breakouts to a minimum:

DO's

• Thoroughly cleanse twice daily (preferably with micellar to begin with, then a foaming gel cleanser to follow) to remove excess oil, sweat, and impurities without stripping the skin.

• Opt for lightweight, oil-free, and non-comedogenic moisturizers to provide hydration without adding heaviness or clogging pores.

• Keep your skin well-protected with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or more, applying it generously and reapplying every two hours, especially during prolonged sun exposure.

DON'TS

• Skip heavy makeup since it can trap sweat and sebum and potentially lead to breakouts.

• Use actives (like exfoliators and retinol) cautiously, especially if your skin is already inflamed.

This article originally appeared on Cosmopolitan.com. Minor edits have been made by the Cosmo.ph editors.