Sunscreen Causing Acne Use Sunblock On Acne-Prone Skin Like This

Sunscreen is essential for summer skincare. But did you know that incorrect sunscreen use can worsen or even cause acne? Since UV rays can promote sebum secretion, you can't avoid wearing sunscreen, so let's learn how to choose and use sunscreen correctly for acne-prone skin.

Sunscreen is broadly divided into two types based on how it blocks UV rays.

• Physical Sunscreen: Forms a protective barrier on the skin surface to physically reflect UV rays. The main ingredients are metallic compounds like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It can have a stiff texture and leave a white cast.
• Chemical Sunscreen: Absorbs UV rays into the skin and chemically breaks them down, releasing them as heat energy. It is characterized by a thin lotion-like texture that absorbs quickly and spreads easily.

Is chemical sunscreen, with its good spreadability, good for all skin types? Unfortunately, no. Chemical sunscreens can cause chemical and heat reactions within the skin due to the mechanism by which chemical components break down after UV rays are absorbed into the skin. This can easily lead to skin troubles such as allergic contact dermatitis or acne. In particular, ingredients like oxybenzone and avobenzone can be irritating to the skin or potentially cause comedones, so it's best for sensitive or barrier-damaged acne-prone skin to avoid chemical sunscreens.

So, is physical sunscreen, known for being mild, okay for acne-prone skin? The main ingredients of physical sunscreen, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, are known to be mild and cause little skin irritation, so they are often used for sensitive skin, babies, and pregnant women. However, if you have acne-prone skin, caution is needed when using it.

Acne occurs when the pathways for sebum production and excretion are blocked by dead skin cells or waste products. The mineral components of physical sunscreen can easily get trapped in pores, and due to its property of forming a film on the skin, it may not be completely washed off with just foam cleanser, potentially blocking pores and worsening acne.

If you're concerned about irritation from chemical sunscreens and pore blockage from physical sunscreens, what kind of sunscreen should you use? A dermatologist recommends using physical sunscreen but always performing a double cleanse.

Double Cleansing Method

1. First Cleanse: Gently dissolve any remaining sunscreen on the skin with cleansing lotion or cleansing cream.
2. Second Cleanse: Use a cleansing foam to thoroughly cleanse the skin.

It's easy to think that a higher SPF number means stronger UV protection. However, for acne-prone skin, SPF 30 products are recommended. Sunscreens with SPF 50 or higher may contain more specific ingredients for higher protection, which can lead to excessive stickiness or skin irritation, potentially worsening acne.

In summer, many people look for waterproof sunscreens that don't wash off easily with sweat or water. While waterproof ingredients themselves don't directly cause irritation, these products often contain a lot of oil. Also, to remove them thoroughly, you may need to cleanse vigorously multiple times, which can irritate the skin. Therefore, if you have acne-prone skin, extra caution is needed when using waterproof sunscreen.

We've discussed sunscreen ingredients that can worsen acne and how to use them correctly. It's just as important to wash off sunscreen thoroughly as it is to apply it. Keep this in mind, and we hope this helps you maintain healthy skin.