Heat Acne: What is it and How to Treat it

Heat acne, in particular, tends to flare up when the temperatures rise [1]

So, why does summer have this effect on the skin? In this article, we’ll explain the reasons behind pesky heat breakouts, and provide ten steps for keeping your skin acne-free this summer.

What Is Heat Acne?

There are several causes of acne in adults and one of them is heat and sweat. Acne develops when your hair follicles become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and debris [2]. Sweat can cause acne, from pimples to papules and everything in between.

Additionally, acne may be more likely to develop if you’re dealing with excess oil production or skin inflammation [3]. Both of these conditions can be exacerbated by the heat. 

In fact, sweating in the summer can lead to acne if you don’t take proper care of your skin. While the sweat won’t cause acne directly, it can trap more bacteria, makeup, sunscreen, and dirt deep within your pores [4]. Add friction from tight summer clothing into the mix, and heat acne becomes a high possibility [5].

What Type of Acne Occurs From the Heat?

There are many types of acne you can develop in the summer. They primarily fall into one of the following two categories:

1. Acne vulgaris – Acne vulgaris is the most common type of acne. It includes the following subtypes [6]:

• Hormonal acne is caused by an overproduction of sebum that clogs the pores.
• Cystic acne results in deep, pus-filled pimples that can leave scars.
• Nodular acne produces surface-level pimples and tender, nodular lumps below the skin.
• Pityrosporum folliculitis, also known as fungal acne. While it’s not a traditional form of acne, it can occur when yeast builds up in the hair follicle.

Acne vulgaris can be made worse by sun exposure, certain medications, tight clothing, hormonal changes, and genetic factors [7].

2. Acne mechanica – This type of acne is caused by friction or pressure against the skin [8]. It can show up anywhere on the body that experiences friction. For instance, you may develop acne mechanica from:

• Donning tight workout clothes while sweating
• Rubbing your skin against a car seat or chair in the heat
• Wearing a tight hat, headband, or mask 
• Using a cast or surgical tape

How To Treat Heat Acne

No matter which form of acne you’re facing this summer, you can try to resolve it by following these ten steps:

1. Cleanse consistently – If you want to overcome your heat acne outbreak or want to learn how to shrink a cystic pimple overnight, you need to stop debris and acne-causing bacteria from clogging your pores. A high-quality, gentle cleanser can help you do just that. Our daily facial cleanser can be used in the morning and at night to keep your skin fresh and clean. It contains gently exfoliating AHAs and BHAs that can extract any dirt or impurities without aggravating your skin. Over time, it may also brighten any discoloration you have from previous heat acne breakouts.
2. Moisturize properly – During the summer, offices, coffee shops, and grocery stores crank up the AC to keep things cool. You may also blast your AC or fans while you’re at home. While refreshing, this cold air can quickly dry out your skin. Dehydrated skin may be more prone to inflammation, making your acne outbreak worse [9]. For this reason, it’s essential to restore your skin’s hydration every morning and night. Fortunately, our 3-Step skincare set includes two types of moisturizers: a daily moisturizer with SPF and a deeply hydrating night cream that can reduce hyperpigmentation. Both moisturizers can be formulated to your unique skin type, lifestyle, and location. 
3. Hold off from picking at your skin – Popping pimples or squeezing white heads may seem satisfying in the moment, but it’s not recommended. Picking your skin can introduce even more bacteria into the area, worsening your acne outbreak [10]. Your self-administered extractions may even lead to long-term scarring and hyperpigmentation that persists long after the heat acne subsides.
4. Avoid touching your skin altogether – From wiping away sweat to reapplying sunscreen mid-day, there are many situations where you may want to touch your face in the summer. Touching your skin can transfer bacteria, oil, and debris onto your face, boosting your chances of developing heat acne. Thus, it’s best to only touch your face when you need to cleanse, moisturize, or apply sunscreen—just make sure you always use clean hands.
5. Keep your linens and clothes clean – When it’s hot and humid out, it’s easy to work up a sweat in your bedsheets, workout clothes, or daily attire. When this happens, you should wash these fabrics ASAP. Take off those sweaty gym clothes and toss them in the wash. The same goes for your bedsheets, pillowcases, towels, and hats. By keeping your fabrics clean, you’ll be less likely to push bacteria into your pores. 
6. Avoid tight-fitting attire – Due to friction and constriction, tight clothing and accessories can induce acne mechanica. If you’re noticing outbreaks in places where you wear tight clothes, you may want to opt for looser-fitting, breathable options until temperatures cool down.
7. Shower after every sweat session – One shower a day may be sufficient in the cooler months. However, if you’re struggling with heat-related body acne, you may want to rinse off every time you get excessively sweaty.
8. Wear clean masks every time – Many people still wear protective masks in some settings to reduce their exposure to germs. Mask-wearing in the heat can cause acne mechanica to develop, colloquially known as “maskne.” [11] This form of heat acne can be mitigated by wearing a clean mask every time. You should also cleanse this area twice a day with your chosen facial cleanser. 
9. Be patient with new products – When you’re eager to combat your heat acne, you may try different products every day, hoping one will provide the quick fix you desire. However, it can take some time for new products to penetrate your skin. In fact, it typically takes 28 to 40 days for old skin cells to shed, leaving new ones in their place [12]. Thus, you should give new skincare a few weeks to work its magic before assessing its efficacy.
10. Consult with your dermatologist – Acne can arise from a host of conditions, ranging from certain medications to hormonal conditions. If you take exceptional care of your skin and you still can’t beat the breakouts, your dermatologist may be able to provide more personalized suggestions. 

Beat Heat Acne This Summer With PROVEN Skincare

If you’ve been wondering, “Why does my acne get worse in the summer?,” now you have an answer, along with some simple tips for protecting your skin amidst the summer heat. 

If you’re ready to show off a clear complexion this summer, PROVEN can help. 

The secret to our skincare’s effectiveness is its personalized formulation. Each product we ship to you is created according to your skin’s unique needs, which we assess using this simple, three-minute skincare quiz. Our products are non-toxic, dermatologist-tested, dye-free, and cruelty-free. They’re also made here in the USA. 

Ready to put a stop to heat acne once and for all? Get your customized skincare routine from PROVEN today.

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