It's officially summer, which is my favorite season. It just seems so gray & gloomy most of the year here in Ohio, so when the summertime comes you can catch me outside!

As the temperature increases, so can acne breakouts, especially if your face is oily like mine. The combination of heat, humidity, and increased sweating can lead to clogged pores and bacterial growth. Today, I'm going to share some tips to help you beat acne this summer.

Tip #1 - Switch to lighter oils that absorb quickly into your skin and allow it to breathe instead of using heavier products.  Layering on heavy products, sunscreen, makeup then sweating on top of that can clog your pores and cause breakouts and nobody wants that!  In the summer I switch from the Jojoba Shea Face Cream to Facial Oil for my face. I also switch from the Body Butter to Body Oils. For the fellas, our Beard Oil is light, multipurpose and can be used all over your face & on your beard.

Tip #2 - Avoid over cleansing! If your face is more oily in the summer, it's tempting to wash it more than twice a day to try to get rid of the oiliness. Doing this can actually cause your face to produce more oil (or sebum) which is counterproductive to what you want. It weakens your skin's barrier and can lead to itchy, irritated skin. You'll want to use a cleanser that does not strip your skin of natural oils. All of our handmade soaps are made with natural ingredients and won't strip your skin

Tip #3 - EXFOLIATE! EXFOLIATE! EXFOLIATE! This is so important to help shed old skin cells so your newer cells can show. This goes for your whole body, not just your face. For sensitive skin I recommend no more than twice per week and for all other skin types I recommend exfoliating up to 3 times per week. We have an Exfoliating Face Wash in our product line as well as a Sisal Soap Pouch that can be used for exfoliation.

Tip #4 - Make sure you're using sunscreen! Sunscreen helps to protect your skin from the sun, of course, but it also helps keep hyperpigmentation, acne and inflammation from getting worse. Use an SFP of 30 or higher and don't forget to reapply every couple of hours, especially if you're swimming or sweating. My favorite sunscreen is the Make it Matte by Black Girl Sunscreen.

Tip #5 - STAY HYDRATED! Drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins and keeps your skin hydrated from the inside out. Aim for at least eight glasses of water a day, especially when you're spending time outside. I have found that 64 ounces is not enough for me! I have a 40 ounces water bottle that I take everywhere I go and aim to knock at least 120 ounces of water down everyday!

A couple of other things I personally make sure to do is to get plenty of fruits and vegetables in my diet and exercise regularly to improve circulation and reduce stress —all of which contribute to clearer skin. Oh, and don't forget to REST!

I hope this helped someone! Let me know if you have something to add to these tips! Ok, I'll talk to y'all next time...bye bye!