We all know to put sunscreen on day in, day out. It’s a necessary step in anyone’s skin care routine, because all know the sun can be a total b*tch.
Apart from laying on the UV rays and leaving the sensitive-skinned among us at risk for skin cancer, overexposure to the sun can lead to prevalent signs of premature aging and pigmentation. It’s no wonder that professionals consider sunscreen to be a no-excuses, must-have product in everyone’s skin care kit.
But alas, you’ve been diligently incorporating that new bottle of sunscreen into your everyday routine – and lo and behold, a zit or two has reared its ugly (white) head.
Hold on now; how could one of the most important steps of our skin care routine possibly be the culprit of unsightly new breakouts?!
The situation is actually an all-too familiar one: plenty have found that when improper facial use of sunscreen (be it purchasing those with comedogenic ingredients or simply using the wrong kind on your face) can quickly and easily pave the way for a couple new red bumps.
Below are some of the possible reasons your sunscreen may be causing breakouts, and some easy solutions.
Your sunscreen’s got some aggravating ingredients
One of the simplest reasons as to why you’re breaking out from your sunscreen is the fact that it contains several pimple-inducing ingredients.
These elements find their way to your pores, effectively clogging them up. As a result, the congestion of excess oils and bacteria push up onto the surface of your skin, creating the perfect zit.
Some of the most common ingredients to avoid when shopping for facial sunscreen are silicones, mineral oils, beeswax, plant wax, coconut, wheatgerm, soybean oil, and cocoa butter. These guys are heavily comedogenic ingredients – a term used to describe additives that irritate and plug up your pores.
It’s best to stick to labels that market themselves as both “oil-free” and “non-comedogenic”, as these ensure the product has stuck to more skin-friendly ingredients.
Other alternative options to your usual sunscreen lotion are sprays and gels.
Sunscreen gels are aqueous, lightweight, and can be easily applied even to the hairiest of skin areas (perfect for a guy’s chest or legs!). They absorb into your skin without leaving it feeling greasy, making them not only an acne-friendly product, but one that’s comfortable for daily wear.
Sunscreen sprays are also a lightweight option, though may take a few layers of misting for a strong, protective effect.
You’re using old sunscreen
Using sunscreen past its due date is a huge no-no.
Expired ingredients aren’t going to do much for your skin, aside from causing potentially irritated reactions. One of these can appear in the form of breakouts.
It’s also possible that you’ve left your sunscreen in bad condition, such as under direct sunlight.
Leaving your product in a damaging environment can break down its active chemicals, leaving them ineffective at best – and harmful to your skin, at worst.
Avoiding this is simple: steer clear of last year’s sunscreen! Treat it just like you would a skin care or makeup product - when it’s gone bad, chuck it out and invest in a new one. Saving that extra $10 just isn’t worth it.
Your sunscreen isn’t actually made for your face.
And no, it’s not just a marketing ploy.
Body and facial sunscreens contain different formulations that cater to these areas of skin. Since your face is far more susceptible to irritation, facial sunscreens are made with significantly more skin-friendly ingredients to avoid triggering acne breakouts.
At the same time, sunscreens made for the body are commonly formulated with comedogenic ingredients (or alcohol, in the case of some sprays) making them an absolute skin nightmare for your face.
Always double check to make sure you’re buying a skin-friendly formula. For those who prefer to kill two birds with one stone, there are plenty of facial moisturizers on the market that double as sun protection with an SPF of 30 or higher, such as the ones below:
Olay Complete Defence Daily UV Moisturising Lotion Sensitive SPF 30
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
You’re not diligent with your cleansing.
Even the most avid of us skincare addicts will lapse from time to time.
If you aren’t properly cleansing your skin before adding your sunscreen, you’re effectively trapping all the pre-existing oils and dirt into your pores, creating the ideal breeding ground for breakouts. Top that off with one (or two) of the other common mistakes on this list, and you’ve concocted the perfect pimple recipe.
To prevent this, just be sure you’re doing your much-needed, daily double cleanse – and the necessary skin care steps that follow – before lathering on the sunscreen.
And it goes without saying, but a nightly cleansing routine is necessary to maintain a clear, healthy complexion.
Even on days when you’re totally makeup-free, it’s imperative that you wash off the day’s sunscreen with your usual nightly skin care regime.
Your sweat and natural skin oils are bound have mixed in with your sunscreen throughout the day, and will only plug up your pores if left on overnight.
Save your skin the trouble and keep a disciplined cleansing schedule every day and night, and you’re sure to keep the blemishes at bay.
As crucial as sunscreen is to anyone’s skin care routine – the very product meant to protect your skin may ironically be the culprit to all your sudden acne problems. (Trust me, I’m going through this right now – probably why I was inspired to write this article?)
Luckily, these issues are easily preventable. It’s as simple as being mindful of what you purchase, how you incorporate it into your daily regime, and your specific skin needs.
With this in mind, you’re sure to be back on your way to a zit-free, clear complexion in no time!