June is Acne awareness month: acne tips for you!

June is acne awareness month. With the summer heat coming on, your acne can get exacerbated. Here are a few easy steps to keep your skin clear this summer:

Exfoliate Your Body: Get rid of dry, flaky skin using a washcloth, loofah, or a scrub in the bath or shower. But don’t go overboard - less is more!

Pile on the Sunscreen: More is better when it comes to protecting your skin from the summer sun. Put sunscreen on 30 minutes before exposure and again every 90 minutes. After a swim, be sure to reapply. The UV rays in sunlight increase the risk of skin cancer and cause early aging. In addition, many acne medications make the skin sun-sensitive.

Chow Down on Fresh Fruit & Stay Hydrated: Blueberries, cantaloupe and other melons help stimulate collagen growth in your skin. Take advantage of the summer’s bountiful offerings! Add eight glasses of water daily to keep your body hydrated.

Skip the Heavy Foundation: Natural beauty is best when the temperatures rise. Keep things simple with mineral make-up bronzer that won’t block pores.

Stick with your Treatment Program: Even if your acne clears or improves, you should continue your treatment to keep breakouts from occurring. Many times, patients stop using a medication suddenly, only to see a flare-up several weeks later. Ask your dermatologist before ending treatment."

Don’t hesitate to see your dermatologist: If washing your face and using over the counter acne products just isnt cutting it, then don’t hesitate to see your dermatologist. Acne can come from the inside, so sometimes things you need more than just topical treatment for acne.