If the sun goes hand in hand with smoother, blemish-free skin, this skin improvement is often only ephemeral, to the great dismay of acne-prone skin. Behind this phenomenon lies what is called the rebound effect . Let's sort out fact from fiction to better understand how to take care of your acne-prone skin during the summer and avoid the return of imperfections at the start of the school year.

What effects does the sun have on acne-prone skin?

Although the sun seems to be beneficial for soothing skin conditions such as acne, eczema or psoriasis thanks to its anti-inflammatory action, its effect is only short-lived. Before going any further, let’s explore the “false” benefits of the sun on the skin:

• Smoother skin : to protect itself from UV rays, the skin will thicken and give the impression that acne is disappearing, giving the illusion of momentarily smoother skin.
• Less oily skin: exposure to the sun can give the impression that our skin is less oily but it is actually a defense reaction of the skin against dehydration caused by intense heat, leading to an overproduction of sebum by the sebaceous gland to compensate for this loss of hydration.
• Less visible blemishes and scars : Sun exposure can sometimes cause scars to turn brown, making them less visible with tanning. This is explained by the increased production of melanin by the skin to protect itself from UV rays, the pigment responsible for tanning the skin. This is called hyperpigmentation .

This temporary improvement in the skin results in a phenomenon called the rebound effect .

To learn more: know everything about the benefits and risks of exposure to the sun .

What is the rebound effect?

If we all love to laze in the sun to show off a pretty tanned complexion and peachy skin during the summer season, the sun can also have unpleasant surprises in store for acne-prone skin . Indeed, the appearance of the skin seems to improve because the sun dries the spots and thickens the epidermis but make no mistake, these effects are only short-lived and lead to an increase in skin rashes at the end of the period. 'summer. This is called the rebound effect .

Does the sun cause acne breakouts?

The thickening of the skin after sun exposure leads to obstruction of the pores and pilosebaceous follicles, creating excess sebum which cannot be properly evacuated. This excess sebum leads to the development of the P.acnes bacteria , via the digestion of sebum triglycerides, which can lead to skin inflammation , as well as the formation of blackheads and microcysts .

When the skin becomes thinner again at the start of the school year, significant outbreaks of spots can occur and as soon as the tan fades, the latter then become more prominent, while the unprotected scars remain marked by pronounced hyperpigmentation , due to the production of melanin by the skin to protect itself from the sun. Additionally, the skin may become drier and itchy due to irritation caused by UV rays.

To better understand, here is an explanatory diagram of the inflammatory process of the rebound effect of acne after exposure to the sun:

Legend

1. Hyperkeratinization : the skin is harder and thickens to protect itself from UV rays.

2. The increased production of sebum by the sebaceous gland blocks the pores and makes it difficult to drain the serum.

3. The multiplication of the bacteria P. Acnes , digesting the tryglicerides of sebum, it secretes pro-inflammatory substances

4. Hyperpigmentation : The skin produces more melanin to protect itself from UV rays and colors scars

How to avoid the rebound effect of acne?

To avoid the return of imperfections after summer, here are the right actions to adopt to keep your skin glowing all year round:

Before and during the exhibition

• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily with an SPF adapted to your skin type and non-comedogenic , meaning it does not clog pores, particularly for acne-prone skin. During the summer, remember to reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. These actions will limit premature aging of the skin but also prevent hyperpigmentation of scars.
• Avoid exposure during the hottest hours of the day, that is, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and seek shade periodically to limit your direct exposure to the sun.
• Use protective clothing and accessories such as sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved shirts.
• Hydrate regularly by drinking enough water throughout the day.
• Opt for natural makeup using light-textured cosmetics and remember to remove makeup and cleanse your face every evening to remove impurities and avoid clogging pores.
• Be careful with medications! Indeed, many anti-acne treatments, notably cyclin or retinoid antibiotics, are photosensitizing . If exposed to the sun, they can trigger skin rashes or allergic reactions. However, in most cases, it is not a question of stopping the treatment but of applying it preferably in the evening.
• Prepare your skin before exposure with our sugar-free Sun Gummies, enriched with beta-carotene , tyrosine and antioxidants , for a extremely effective 3-in-1 action . You can also combine them with the Hydration & clear skin treatment in the Solar Beauty Pack for tanned and protected skin all summer long.

After the exhibition

• Apply a soothing after-sun containing aloe vera or witch hazel to calm inflammation, reduce redness and deeply hydrate your skin.
• Exfoliate your skin regularly : prefer gentle exfoliations based on fruit acids (AHA), which are less aggressive for the skin than coarse scrubs, such as sugar, which risk “scratching” your epidermis.
• Avoid products containing alcohol , perfumes, or any other toxins that could worsen the rebound effect.
• Avoid touching your blemishes to avoid scarring. Instead, apply anti-acne treatments to the affected area, such as an azelaic acid-based serum in the morning, to reduce the formation of spots.
• Opt for the Anti-imperfection Pack , the essential routine for acne-prone and dehydrated skin after summer. This anti-acne routine, combining our high-performance probiotics Probio & fiber complex and our Hydration & clear skin treatment , has been specially formulated to regulate sebum production , soothe skin inflammations , reduce redness and support the healing of skin lesions. acne thanks to a synergy of natural ingredients such as 4 probiotic strains (including 2 which have been scientifically studied for their beneficial action on the skin), coenzyme Q10 to limit the degradation of collagen, ceramides to maintain the level of hydration of the skin or even zinc to fight against imperfections.
• If acne persists, do not hesitate to consult a health professional, such as a dermatologist , who will be able to help you overcome your imperfections.