According to the statement from “Gintarinė Pharmacy” quoted by pharmacist Irena Viktorija Aukštikalnienė, it is wrong to blame sweat alone for the appearance of acne. Sweat itself is not the main cause of acne, but together with other factors, it can create favorable conditions for breakouts.
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“Heat stimulates the activity of sebaceous glands, so the skin can become oilier, and a higher amount of oil together with dead skin cells more easily clogs pores. Sweat, especially when it stays on the skin longer and mixes with oils or cosmetic products, can also contribute to pore clogging and skin irritation. In high humidity, sweat evaporates more slowly, so the skin remains moist for longer,” explains the pharmacist.
Back and chest can also break out
During the warm season, acne often appears in places where the skin did not cause problems in the cold season – on the back, chest, or shoulders. These body areas have many sebaceous glands, and sweat and moisture remain longer under clothing. The situation can be worsened by tight clothes made of synthetic or other less breathable materials. Heat, moisture, and constant friction create favorable conditions for breakouts, especially during active sports.
“Hats, helmets, backpack straps, or tight sportswear press and rub the skin in areas where it already sweats. Wearing wet clothes for a long time can cause so-called mechanical acne. Therefore, after sports or heavy sweating, it is advisable to shower as soon as possible and change into dry clothes, and for everyday wear, choose looser, breathable clothes,” advises I. V. Aukštikalnienė.
The pharmacist encountered such a situation while consulting a man who actively cycled. At the start of the cycling season, he developed breakouts on his back and groin, and after several consecutive active sports days, the problem worsened.
“During the conversation, it turned out that after each ride, the man did not always change his sportswear and sometimes wore the same clothes for several days. It is likely that the breakouts were caused by a combination of sweating and constant friction between the skin and clothes. In such cases, a simple rule is very important – not to wear sweaty clothes after active activity, but to change into clean and dry ones,” she says.
Even the phone and pillowcase affect it
Breakouts can be influenced not only by heat or clothing. According to the pharmacist, daily habits that we rarely think about also play a significant role. In summer, we touch our face more often, wipe sweat from the forehead or neck with our hands, so more dirt can get on the skin. The cleanliness of items that constantly touch the face also matters.
“It is advisable to regularly clean your phone, glasses, sports equipment, and change bed linen more often. Also, one should not delay showering after active physical activity. These are small daily habits, but together they can influence how often the skin breaks out,” lists I. V. Aukštikalnienė.
She adds that evening skin cleansing is also important. During the day, sweat, natural skin oils, dirt, and used cosmetic products mix on the skin. If this layer is not properly removed, the likelihood of clogged pores increases.
What we eat can also affect skin condition
When assessing the causes of recurring breakouts, the pharmacist advises not to forget about nutrition. For some people, the skin condition can worsen due to high consumption of products containing added sugar, dairy products, or frequent snacking on very sweet or salty snacks.
“For some people, such food may be associated with increased skin oil production and inflammatory processes. Of course, not every pimple should be immediately linked to a specific product, but if breakouts recur, it is worth monitoring your daily habits,” notes the pharmacist.
According to her, in summer the skin often has to adapt simultaneously to many changes – higher temperatures, increased sweating, more active leisure, and a different daily routine. Therefore, breakouts noticed at the end of summer do not necessarily mean that the skin suddenly became problematic – it may be worth looking for their causes in habits from recent months.
“If breakouts increased in summer, especially during heat or after starting more active sports, it is first worth reviewing daily habits. Sometimes simple changes are enough to improve skin condition – not letting sweat stay on the skin for long, changing clothes, choosing more breathable clothes, and taking care of the cleanliness of items that constantly touch the skin,” says I. V. Aukštikalnienė.
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