Yon-Ka Paris

Sun, salt, and breakouts? I’m sure your idea of the perfect summer didn’t include an acne flare up but the combination of warm weather and extra sun exposure can wreak havoc on your skin. Before you go into hiding, try these easy tips for preventing pimples. 

1. Get a deeper clean by using a brush or sponge.

Washing your face with your hands is all well and good but during summer months you can benefit from a deeper clean. Try cleansing with a brush or facial sponge, which will offer gentle exfoliation every time you cleanse. You’ll notice skin feels softer, which means dead skin cells and debris have been washed away. If makeup, sunscreen and oil sit on skin they can clog pores, increasing oil production and causing acne. Ensure you’re washing away all that grime by using a purifying cleanser (try Gel Nettoyant) with an exfoliating facial brush or sponge.

2. Use a toner after cleansing to combat oil and prevent breakouts.

Just washing your face (especially during summer) is not enough for most of us. Oil can creep up quickly thanks to heightened humidity and hot weather. Banish that mid-morning shine by using a toner after cleansing. A balancing formula like Lotion Yon-Ka PNG will keep your complexion matte all day long and help prevent breakouts caused by clogged pores. You can even refrigerate Lotion and spray throughout the day as needed.

3. Don’t just treat — prevent!

It’s instinctive to spot treat when you see a pimple pop up but taking preventive measures is a much better strategy. Use a gentle treatment daily that will work with your skin to stop blemishes before they start. I like Juvenil, a soothing concentrate that purifies and calms helping to heal existing breakouts and keep skin clear. Apply a thin layer after cleansing and toning to breakout-prone areas. Follow with a light moisturizer, or wear alone on those really sticky summer days.

4. Don’t let sweat sit.

When the weather is nice we’re more inclined to spend time outdoors but letting perspiration sit on skin can yield breakouts. While a proper shower is best, sometimes a busy schedule doesn’t warrant a rinse down until later in the day. Opt for the next best thing, which is a little rinse-free cleansing. Keep micellaire water with you at all times so you can remove impurities anywhere life takes you. Simply apply to a cotton ball and swipe along skin to refresh your face, neck, chest and back wherever — no water needed.

5. Be snobby when it comes to sunscreen.

Yes, you want to protect your skin from sun damage but (let’s be honest) not at the expense of clear skin. Make sure you are covering up with a light formula that won’t aggravate acne-prone skin. Avoid heavy creams that can clog pores, and formulas packed with chemicals that can further irritate inflammation.

6. Treat breakouts while you sleep.

Skin is less sensitive during summer months so it’s the perfect time to amp up your nighttime regimen. Revitalizing treatments that you can leave on overnight will not only help reverse sun damage from a summer outdoors, but can also clear up your complexion by removing the oil and dead skin that builds up from makeup, sunscreen and sweat. Slather Pamplemousse PNG on at night, which has grapefruit extract and essential oils that brighten skin and tighten pores, and wake up with a radiant, glowing complexion.