Does tanning help acne?

Does drying your skin in the sun help?

Drying skin out is not the same as clearing acne. Sun exposure can dry your skin, prompting your body to produce more oil. That oil can clog pores and cause breakouts. A dry feeling after time in the sun is therefore not a useful sign that your acne is improving.2

A tan is a change in skin colour, even if "healthy glow" gives it a more impressive job title. Skin produces more melanin, the pigment that darkens skin, in response to UVA exposure. The tan itself is a sign of damage. Repeated UV exposure also causes premature skin ageing, including wrinkles and dark spots.3

Do tanning beds help acne?

No. Moving tanning indoors changes the setting, not the category, despite the furniture. Tanning beds expose skin to UVA and UVB rays, with a higher concentration of UVA than tanning in the sun. They are not a safer option. Indoor tanning can more than double the risk of melanoma, a type of skin cancer.34

Getting a base tan does not solve the problem either. A base tan damages skin and does not prevent sunburn when you go outside. Indoor tanning is particularly dangerous for people who start as teenagers or young adults.3

How to protect acne prone skin outdoors

1. 1Before going outside, apply a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to exposed skin. Broad spectrum means protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Choose an oil free formula labelled "noncomedogenic" or "won't clog pores."
2. 2Seek shade and wear protective clothing and a hat. Limit exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest. Cloudy weather does not eliminate UV exposure.
3. 3Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours.
4. 4If you sweat, gently pat it away with a clean towel rather than rubbing. Afterwards, wash gently with a mild, oil free cleanser and warm water.

What should you do instead?

Keep using your acne treatment consistently rather than swapping it for tanning or repeatedly trying something new. Results can take several weeks to a few months. Wash with your fingertips up to twice daily and after sweating. Avoid scrubbing and irritating astringents, toners or exfoliants; drying your skin can make acne appear worse.1

If breakouts continue despite treatment and these habits, see a dermatologist for help treating existing acne, preventing new breakouts and reducing scarring. Have any new or changing skin spots or moles checked by a healthcare professional.13