What are the best sun creams for oily and acne-prone skin types?
For those with oily and acne prone skin types, summer can be all the things you want and all the things you don’t. The increase in temperature can help to control the amount of sebum (the skin’s natural oil) secreted by the glands, but applying SPF creams to protect against UVA and UVB rays can suffocate the skin and add unnecessary oil.
There are numerous causes of acne and most people who experience the problem regularly struggle to ascertain which factors of their lifestyle are probing the issue. Anti-microbial skincare is a great way to stop the skin’s excess oil feeding the residual bacteria on the skin and thus causing breakouts. Choosing a sun scream with maximum protection from UV rays whilst soothing the skin with acne-preventing anti-microbial properties isn’t easy so we’ve enlisted the help of our resident skincare specialist, Graham, and asked him to steer us in the right direction, here’s what he had to say;
Breakouts and suncream go hand-in-hand for the best of us. The oily nature of many SPF products can clog the pores and cause the skin to break-out, but the goods news is there are a couple of products available which help to both stop shiny skin and also include anti-microbial to neutralise bacteria.
Heliocare XF Gel
Protection level: SPF50
Best for: acne-prone and those who experience blackheads and clogged pores
XF Gel contains Lysate Micrococcus, this is a powerful anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory that skins deep into the skin and helps to stop breakouts from appearing. The consistency of XF Gel also helps in the quest for spot-free skin as it’s absorbed really quickly and allows the skin to breathe.
Heliocare 360 Oil-Free Dry Touch Gel
Protection level: SPF50 with built-in infra-red defence.
Best for: those who like a completely matte finish on the skin with maximum protection from the sun
Informatively named, Oil-Free Dry Touch Gel gives the finish of an oil-free moisturiser without compromising on protection. Heliocare’s 360 collection comes with the added benefit of infra-red protection (keep your eyes peeled for this level of protection as we’ll be seeing many more products carry it in the future, in my opinion!) so it’s much more powerful at stopping pre-mature ageing and dark spots from appearing.
Recipe for Men SPF15 Moisturiser
Protection level: see above
Best for: an everyday facial moisturiser in cooler climates
This gives only low-level of sun protection so its only really suitable for use in the cooler seasons, that said, the finish on the skin is simply outstanding; matte and tack-free. The consistency of this means it sinks in really quickly leaving little residue and doesn’t clog the pores.
Anthony Day Cream SPF30
Protection level: see above
Best for: those who like to apply their daily moisturiser and sun cream in one easy step
Anthony’s Day Cream is slightly thicker in consistency when compared to the rest of the creams mentioned above. The big bonus here is high level protection from an everyday face cream. The SPF30 will give a couple of hours of protection which means you won’t need to start applying your sun creams till later in the day.
When choosing a sun cream, it’s really important to read the instructions and ensure that it is right for your skin type. It’s also crucial to check that it carries enough protection to stop your skin from becoming damaged by sunlight. Always re-apply your suncream throughout the day, following the manufacturers guidelines.
Experts Tips
If you have oily and acne-prone skin, your face wash is one of the most important elements of your regime. Make sure it is non-drying and always use it morning and night.
Avoid using products which contain raw alcohol. Whilst perfectly fine for some skin types, it will encourage the skin to produce more oil so it’s not good for oily skin.
Change your pillow case regularly. This sounds bizarre but your face spends more time in contact with your pillow than it does everything else- make sure it’s clean.
Don’t be afraid of using facial oils. As the old saying goes, ‘fight fire with fire’ keeping the skin hydrated is the first step to shine-free, less oily skin.