Acne-prone skin – Why does it need special sun protection?

Moderate sun exposure is good for us but overexposure can cause short-and long-term damage.

All skin needs sun protection, but this article explains why acne-prone skin needs special sun care. It looks at how to care for your skin in the sun, and how to choose the right sun protection products for your face and body.

Acne-prone skin has a compromised skin barrier making it susceptible to sun damage. People with acne are also particularly prone to a type of hyperpigmentation known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (or PIH) which is induced by exposing damaged skin to sun.

Certain acne treatments and medications − e.g. Benzoyl Peroxide, Tretinoin, Adapalene, Azelaic Acid − make skin even more susceptible to sun damage as they influence the skin barrier by drying skin out. Find out how in acne and medication.

The best way to protect skin is to limit the time spent in the sun, avoid it during its most intense hours, wear protective clothing and to regularly and thoroughly apply an appropriate sun protection product.

When it comes to your face and décolleté, it’s important to remember that it’s not just holiday sun that affects skin. UV rays (UVA in particular) and high-energy visible (HEVIS) light are present year-round. That’s why we recommend daily sun protection for acne-prone skin.

Be sure to take particular care in the sun, and wear a very high protection factor, if you are taking acne medication or if you have recently had a chemical peel or laser treatment. Follow your dermatologist or doctor’s advice closely and consult them if you are in any way unclear. We recommend that you use domestic skin peel products such as Eucerin DERMOPURE Skin Renewal Treatment in the evening and ensure that you apply a very high protection factor the following morning.

Some people with acne-prone skin do their best to avoid sun protection products fearing that the oils and chemicals in the creams will block their pores and make skin worse. The trick is to select products that have been specially formulated for acne-prone skin and that have been clinically and dermatologically proven to give skin the protection it needs without blocking pores, adding sheen or triggering and exacerbating acne.

Choose products: 

• with a lighter texture: this doesn’t mean you need to compromise on high protection) 
• labelled ‘non-comedogenic’: this means they don’t contain ingredients that might block pores and trigger blemishes 
• that actively help to address your skin concerns as well as to offer sun protection

The Eucerin Sun range includes several products that give acne-prone skin the sun protection and care it needs:

Eucerin Sun Gel-Cream Oil Control SPF 50+ and SPF 30 have been specially formulated for acne-prone facial skin. Ultra-light and non-comedogenic they include: 

• Eucerin’s unique Advanced Spectral Technology contains broadband and photostable UVA/UVB filters¹ for very high (SPF 50+) and high (SPF 30) UV protection combined with Licochalcone A to neutralize free radicals induced by UV and HEVIS light. 
• Glycyrrhetinic Acid to support skin’s own DNA repair mechanism and further protect skin at a cellular level. 
• Sebum-regulating Oil Control Technology with L-Carnitine and absorbing micro-particles gives skin an immediate dry touch finish and a long-lasting anti-shine effect of up to eight hours. Clinical and dermatological studies prove the effectiveness and tolerability of the products on acne-prone skin. The formulas were also tested in, and proven to be suitable for, humid climates.

1. Meeting the highest standards for UVA and UVB protection as defined by Cosmetics Europe. The levels of UVA protection are higher than the EU requirement.

If the skin on your body is prone to acne try: 

• Eucerin Sun Spray Transparent Sensitive Protect SPF 50 and SPF 30 
• Eucerin Sun Spray Transparent Dry Touch Sensitive Protect SPF 50 and SPF 30 

All these products contain Eucerin’s Advanced Spectral Technology: very high or high UVA/UVB protection and HEVIS light defense¹. The dry touch formula also supports skin’s own DNA repair mechanism.

They absorb quickly, are non-greasy and are clinically and dermatologically proven to offer effective sun protection, and be well tolerated by, acne-prone skin. 

1. Meeting the highest standards for UVA and UVB protection as defined by Cosmetics Europe. The levels of UVA protection are higher than the EU requirement.

You can read more about how to minimize the risks of exposure, how to choose the right sun protection products for your skin and how best to apply them in Why do I need daily sun protection for my face? and How should I protect my body from the sun?