With the rising temperatures in Saudi Arabia, many notice a sudden increase in acne, even if their skin was clear for the rest of the year. Small pimples may appear on the forehead, along with congestion around the nose, or inflammation may develop on the cheeks and chin after a few days of heat and sweating.
The most important point to know is that heat itself isn't the only cause of acne. The problem often starts when sweat mixes with oil, sunscreen residue, makeup, and dust, making pores more prone to clogging and leading to breakouts.
Why do pimples appear in the heat?
In hot weather, the sebaceous glands may produce more oil, and with sweating, this secretion accumulates on the skin's surface. If not cleansed properly, it can mix with dead skin cells and impurities, clogging pores.
One of the most common causes of acne in hot weather is:
- Increased sweating and sebum production
- Sunscreen and makeup buildup
- touching the face constantly
- Using heavy creams in the summer
- Not cleansing the skin after exercise
- Friction with masks, scarves, or hats
- Excessive washing and drying of the face
- Using many powerful products at the same time
Does sweat cause pimples?
Sweat alone is not always a direct cause of pimples, but it can contribute to them when it stays on the skin for a long time and accumulates with oils, bacteria, and impurities.
Therefore, if you sweat after a long walk or exercise, don't let the sweat dry on your face for hours. Gently wash or wipe your skin properly, but avoid harsh rubbing or frequent washing that could damage your skin barrier.
First step: Cleanse the skin without drying it out.
The biggest mistake oily skin makes in the summer is using a harsh cleanser more than once a day. While it's true that dryness means less oil, sometimes the skin compensates for dryness by producing even more oil.
Choose a gentle cleanser that removes sweat, oil, and sunscreen residue without leaving your skin feeling tight. A good option in my routine is IUNIK Centella Mild Cleansing Foam , especially for sensitive, combination, or irritated skin.
Use the wash morning and evening, and after heavy sweating when needed, without overdoing it.
Step two: Use a toner that helps balance the skin.
After cleansing, you can add a light toner that helps to soothe the skin and regulate the appearance of oil.
IUNIK Tea Tree Toner is a suitable choice for oily and acne-prone skin, as it combines tea tree leaf water and centella extract. It helps soothe the skin and provides light hydration without feeling heavy.
Use it by patting it on after washing, and avoid rubbing the skin with a cotton pad if the pimples are inflamed.
Step three: Don't neglect moisturizing
Many people believe that acne-prone skin doesn't need moisturizer, but this is incorrect. Neglecting to moisturize can weaken the skin barrier and increase dryness and irritation, especially with the strong air conditioning in Saudi Arabia.
Choose a light and comfortable moisturizer, such as Centella-IUNIK cream and gel . The gel texture is suitable for the summer routine, especially for oily or combination skin that is not comfortable with heavy creams.
The goal is not to increase the number of products, but to give the skin the hydration it needs without clogging or feeling heavy.
Step four: Gently treat acne scars
After the pimple subsides, it may leave a dark spot or mark, especially with sun exposure.
This is where niacinamide can be incorporated into your routine. Niacinamide serum – your vegan spot correcting serum – contains 10% niacinamide and helps improve the appearance of pores, redness, and acne scars with regular use.
However, do not apply it to very irritated skin, and do not use more than one active serum at the same time. Start gradually and monitor your skin's response.
Step five: Choose a light sunscreen
Ignoring sunscreen does not cure acne; on the contrary, it may make its marks darker and more noticeable.
Choose a light sunscreen that suits your skin and doesn't leave an unpleasant oily residue. This is one of my routine options. Rice bran sun cream - your vegan - is suitable for daily use as part of a light summer routine.
Use it as the last step in the morning, and clean it thoroughly at the end of the day.
Products and habits that can worsen summer acne
If your acne worsens with the heat, review the products you're using. Sometimes the problem isn't one product, but rather the layers of skin you're applying.
Try to reduce:
- very heavy creams
- Heavy oils on the face
- Heavy makeup for long hours
- Daily exfoliants
- Mixing acids with retinol
- Using strong treatments on the entire face
- Sleeping without removing makeup and sunscreen
Acne-prone skin needs a clear and consistent routine more than it needs a large number of products.
When do pimples require a dermatologist?
If pimples are deep, painful, leave scars, or persist despite following a proper skincare routine, it's best to consult a dermatologist. Similarly, a sudden and severe breakout could be related to hormonal factors, medications, or other underlying issues that require professional evaluation.
Skincare products help support the skin and reduce factors that increase acne, but they are not a substitute for medical treatment for moderate or severe cases.
How can you keep your skin calmer in the heat?
Hot weather doesn't mean you have to put up with breakouts all summer. The solution starts with gentle cleansing after sweating, using light products, staying moisturized, and not layering too many products on your skin.
Choose from my routine the products that suit your skin type, and build a simple summer routine based on Centella asiatica, tea tree oil, niacinamide, and sunscreen instead of harsh and random treatments.
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