Opinions are divided on whether sunscreen can cause acne and spots. It often depends very much on the individual's skin type, skin condition and history. It is a myth that sunscreen equals blemished skin. But if, for example, you are prone to oily skin, the combination of sunscreen and increased heat-related sweating can make the skin more congested than usual.
Some people may feel that their skin “can't breathe” when they use sunscreen, but this feeling alone will not necessarily give you blemished skin. The mineral sun filters used in Karmameju SUN do not block the skin's pores. One cause of spots when using sunscreen over a longer period can be that the pores become clogged with dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria and sweat from the day. Over time, this can lead to blemishes, but only if the skin is not cleansed thoroughly every day – ideally with extra care after using sunscreen.
So how can you avoid spots in summer when using sunscreen?
We recommend cleansing and exfoliating the skin with extra care during hot periods and with daily use of sunscreen. Double cleansing in the evening is particularly good.
How to double cleanse
There are two kinds of dirt on the skin after a long day in the sun: the oil-soluble kind (make-up, sunscreen, excess sebum) and the water-soluble kind (dust, dead skin cells and sweat). That is why you need two types of cleanser to cleanse in depth.
If, for example, you only use an oil cleanser, which dissolves sunscreen and make-up, at worst you will only remove those.
- Start with the oil-soluble cleanser, such as an oil cleanser, e.g. MUSE cleansing balm.
- Then apply the next cleanser: the water-soluble cleanser. For example, your STAR micellar water or NOW micellar foam.
When the day is done, we recommend getting the most out of your cleanser(s), suited to your skin type, together with our gentle konjac sponge or washcloth, which cleanses in depth and has a mildly exfoliating effect on the skin's surface.
Another cause of blemished skin after using sunscreen could be a hypersensitivity reaction to chemical UV filters, which can irritate the skin and cause bumps and spots.
You can read about our cleansers and konjac sponge here.