We’ve discussed acne in winter and how to avoid breakouts (recap here), and, while breaking out in summer isn’t exactly novel, it’s still annoying AF, so we wanted to get some expert tips on how to avoid such seasonal skin disasters. We turned to Dr. Lamees Hamdan of Shiffa skincare for an honest conversation about acne in summer and how to avoid the inevitable breakout cycle.
According to Dr. Hamdan, “the heat and humidity is a great breeding ground for bacteria,” hence why summer seems to make acne at an all-time high. Oh, the joys of womanhood.
The food/ acne connection: “As a doctor, I am seeing more people with adult acne, and I do believe there is a strong gut/food connection,” explains Dr. Hamdan. “So first, before I give any advice, I would say start with identifying if the root cause is gut/food related. I call this face food mapping! If [pimples are] diffused all over the face, it might be due to excess sugar (or too many white carbs). On the chin" Try avoiding dairy for two months and see if it helps. In general, the fewer white carbs and less sugar you consume, the better your skin will look.” Double-cleansing is vital: “Ok, now on to summertime. Because of the heat, humidity, sun and makeup/sunscreens, etc. clogging your pores, you need to be extra diligent with cleansing your skin. I recommend a double cleanse at night with a gentle cleanser and using a clean muslin cloth to gently wipe the clea...