Summer is the season which is considered to be filled with vacations, bright days and sunshine. But what no one wants is humidity and hot weather. Summers are no doubt quite joyful but it also brings humidity and high temperatures. This raises a lot of skincare problems.
Oily and sticky skin is the major skin problem associated with summers. This leads to more and more troubles. Oily skin is known to cause clogged pores which results in acne. Whatever you try to do to control oil on your skin, as soon as you step out in the summers the condition worsens.
Whenever such problems occur salicylic acid becomes the most recommended ingredient by dermatologists and it is because of salicylic acid’s excellent features. It is commonly used for controlling the oily and congested skin.
It has been an effective skincare ingredient for acne care without making skin dry or itchy. Now incorporating salicylic acid into an oil control acne gel has been more effective because of its ease of application and light feel.
Why are summers crucial for triggering acne?
Summers can be so irritating because it brings in humidity and unwanted oily skin. Humidity can be a cause for a lot of skin problems. With increasing temperatures during summer days sebaceous glands get more activated and start secreting more and more sebum.
In this weather sweating is also increased which gets mixed with oil, dirt and dead skin cells which can clog the hair follicles and this can cause acne. Makeup and skincare products like sunscreen also have a tendency to build up on the skin and lead to clogging of pores by mixing with sweat and dirt. The most common skincare problems that arise during summers are enlarged pores, excess oil, sticky skin, and random acne breakouts.
Salicylic acid and its beneficial role
Salicylic is a beta hydroxy acid(BHA) which is an oil loving or oil soluble acid. It can penetrate deep into the skin. Due to its ability to dive deep into the pores it can easily clear out the congested pores. Unlike other exfoliants which are water-soluble and work on the surface only, salicylic acid beats them in cleansing action.
Salicylic acid in acne clear out
- Unclogging pores: The sebum and dead skin cells form a plug and salicylic acid loosens the bonds and clears out the pores. Salicylic acid works by loosening the glue that binds dead skin cells and other debris in the skin making an easy exit from the skin.
- Removing excess oil: Salicylic acid helps in controlling the excess sebum and exfoliates from the surface. It goes deep into pores and wipes of excess sebum from the pores.
- Removing blackheads and whiteheads: Blackheads are clogged pores that start appearing dark because of oxidation of trapped oils and salicylic dissolves the plug and removes blackheads. Whiteheads are also clogged pores but they are hard and bumpy, salicylic acid helps by exfoliating away the dead cells and oil.
- Anti-inflammatory: Salicylic acid has anti-inflammatory action which can calm down the irritated and inflamed skin due to acne.
How does a gel based formulation help in humid weather?
Gel based formulations are particularly helpful in the humid and hot because of
- Lightweight and non-sticky: Gel based formulations are light textured and do not feel greasy on the skin which helps a lot in humid weather as lightweight products do not make skin feel sticky and oily after use.
- Easy application: Gel based formulations are easier to use as they are lightweight and are easy to incorporate into daily skincare with comfort.
- Easy absorption: Because of gel based formulation it gets absorbed quickly into the skin and delivers action better than other formulations.
- Oily skin friendly: Oil control face gel is a light weight formulation and does not give a heavy and suffocating feel, which is best for oily skin.
- Ease of layering: During summers all you need is a lightweight product which can be layered with your SPf and moisturizer, it performs that function.
Plus points of a salicylic acid gel
- Pore cleanser: It helps in clearing out congested pores and prevents skin from acne breakouts.
- Reduces oily shine: In summers skin gets too oily and a weird shine is there due to that salicylic acid gel helps in reducing sebum by clearing it out and gives skin a normal texture.
- Reduces chances of breakouts: This gel helps in clearing out the pores and cleared pores means less chances of random breakouts on the face.
- Improves skin texture: It helps in improvising the rough and bumpy texture of skin due to clogged pores. When pores get cleared the texture might start coming back to normal.
Incorporation of salicylic acid gel in daily use
In the AM routine
- Firstly cleanse using a gentle cleanser
- Apply gel on the face only on targeted areas instead of whole face
- Apply a light textured moisturizer
- Use SPF after that
In the PM routine
- Use a gentle cleanser
- Apply salicylic acid gel on the required parts of the face only
- Apply a lightweight moisturizer
Final thoughts
Summers always don’t have to be so dramatic. Acne breakout, oily texture and all the other concerns due to humidity can be handled with proper care. By using the right products that do not make an already oily skin appear more oily and heavy, acne can be controlled.
For such hot temperatures you need lightweight formulations like oil control face gel can be used as they help in clearing out the excess oil instead of increasing the buildup. Also salicylic acid is a BHA which makes it more functional than the rest. It goes deep into the skin and wipes out the skin debris.
You just need to be regular in following a skincare regimen and use the right products based upon the outside weather. Avoid wearing heavy makeup generally during hot days of summer as it can often clog pores. Always wear SPF during the day.
