While it’s nice to have a summer glow, we all know by now that tanning is not the way to get it. As well as damaging the skin, causing issues like premature aging and even cancer, tanning can also exacerbate acne. Let’s take a deep dive into the effects of sun on acne and how to deal with breakouts in a more skin-friendly way.
How Tanning Affects Acne: The Science Behind Sun Exposure
The myth that tanning can improve acne has been around for decades. There are a few reasons for this misconception. Tanning has a drying effect on the skin, which can make it appear less oily and inflamed. While drying out the oil may seem like a solution to the root cause of your breakouts, it can lead to a rebound effect of excessive sebum production. In other words, when the skin starts drying out, the body is triggered to produce more oil to compensate. So whatever effects that drying had on the skin are temporary (and can actually backfire).
Another reason tanning is thought to help acne is that the temporary browning of the skin (which, newsflash, is skin damage) can camouflage pimples, blackheads and other marks on the face. The bright red inflammation looks less bright next to sunkissed skin. You might see what looks like an improvement, but the tan is just hiding the acne.
There are also some studies that suggest that sunlight can target and reduce acne-causing bacteria on the skin, but the limited evidence shows that any improvement is also temporary.
Can Tanning Beds Improve Acne?
Another myth we should clear up here is that tanning beds are somehow safer than real sun. The truth is, both the sun and tanning beds expose the skin to harmful UV rays. According to Harvard Medical School: “It doesn’t matter whether you get it from the sun or from artificial sources such as sun lamps and tanning beds — ultraviolet radiation is linked to skin cancers (including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma) and to other sorts of skin damage, particularly premature skin aging (photoaging).”
Tanning beds use fluorescent bulbs that emit mostly UVA, with smaller doses of UVB. The UVA radiation is up to three times more intense than the UVA in natural sunlight, and even the UVB intensity may approach that of bright sunlight.
In the same way that exposure to real sun at the beach, or even through a window, damages skin and can exacerbate acne, a tan from a tanning bed is unsafe and does not improve acne.
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What Dermatologists Say About Tanning for Acne
As mentioned above, tanning has been linked to everything from skin cancer to fine lines, hyperpigmentation and premature aging. And while a sunkissed glow is often associated with health and beauty, any dermatologist will tell you there is no safe way to get a tan from ultraviolet rays and they will only make acne worse.
While many tanning salons suggest that tanning beds (and sun tans in general) can help reduce the appearance of acne, the truth is actually the opposite. According to Dr. Michele Green: “Tanning beds can actively damage and worsen skin affected by acne scars! When the skin works to heal an acne scar, collagen and elastin fibers are particularly vulnerable to UV rays, and tanning can limit the body’s natural ability to heal the skin.”
Dr. Hooman Khorasani, a quadruple board-certified dermatologic and cosmetic surgeon, explains why the apparent improvement to the skin is fleeting: “UV light is anti-inflammatory and bactericidal, both of which can help with breakouts … however this apparent benefit is ultimately counterproductive and potentially harmful. Sun exposure actually triggers a rebound effect — the initial drying and suppression of inflammation is followed by hypersecretion of sebum and accelerated growth of skin cells, often leading to more severe breakouts within days.”
In other words, any improvement you see is temporary and you’re actually doing way more harm than good in the future. Dr. Khorasani continues: “UV damage compromises the skin barrier, exacerbating post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and prolonging the healing process for existing breakouts.”
Natural & Safe Alternatives for Targeting Acne
Since drying out the skin or camouflaging redness with a tan is not an option, what are some safe ways to target acne?
There are a few things to consider when dealing with acne, including hormones, skin type, stress, diet and genetics. Once you get to the root of what is causing the acne, treating it can be much less complicated. But in general, here are some natural, safe and effective ways to clear things up:
- Keep Skin Clean: While being acne-prone doesn’t necessarily mean your skin isn’t clean, it is important to cleanse the skin properly. As well as mitigating any extra oil that you may be producing, having a good cleansing routine will keep bacteria and other aggravating factors at bay. Make sure you clean your skin well before going to bed, after a sweaty workout and even first thing in the morning. Use gentle cleansers formulated for your skin type and avoid harsh soaps, as they can irritate skin, over-strip the natural oils and actually worsen acne.
- Apply the Right Skin Care: As with your cleanser, ingredients matter when it comes to keeping acne under control. A good option is salicylic acid, which gently exfoliates the skin and can help unclog pores. Clay masks are also great for controlling excess oil and spot-treating blemishes.
- Consider Your Diet: While diet isn’t usually a primary cause of acne, certain foods can trigger breakouts in some people. Culprits include sugar and dairy products. When in doubt, stick to whole foods like fresh produce, lean protein, nuts, seeds and whole grains, and keep alcohol to a minimum.
- Mitigate Stress Levels: Stress can show up on your skin in so many ways, from rashes to dark circles and fluid retention. Acne is also a common byproduct of stress. When the adrenal glands release excess cortisol due to chronic or acute stress, it stimulates another hormone to release oil from the sebaceous glands. Excess sebum production mixes with dead skin cells deep within the pore to create a clog, leading to buildup, irritation, bacterial growth and acne.
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FAQ About Tanning & Acne
Does Tanning Make Acne Worse?
Sun exposure, either real or from a tanning bed, can dry out the skin, which can seem like it’s helping with acne. But the truth is, that temporary dryness rebounds and causes the skin to produce more oil. So what might seem like a fix for acne, is actually doing more harm than good in the long run. Drying out oil only causes the skin to produce more — which isn’t a solution — and can leave skin worse off, with additional negative effects.
Does the Sun Help With Acne-Prone Skin?
In the short-term, tanning can appear to improve the look of acne. As well as drying out the excess oil in the skin (temporarily), the darkening of the epidermis can camouflage the look of redness, blemishes and other inflammation. However, these “improvements” are temporary and can cause long-term damage.
Are you looking for ways to protect your acne-prone skin from the sun? See our SPF collection or visit your nearest Eminence Organics Spa Partner for help choosing skin care products that work for you.
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