No, the Sun Won't Clear Your Acne — Here's Why It Backfires
Tanning a breakout away feels like it works for a day or two, but dermatologists say it damages your skin and can make acne worse.
The American Academy of Dermatology states that tanning damages skin and can worsen acne, and that some acne medications make skin very sensitive to UV from both the sun and tanning beds.
Dermatologists emphasize that tanning is never a safe acne treatment: it damages the skin, can aggravate breakouts, and is especially risky for anyone on photosensitizing acne medications.
Questions we get a lot
Does tanning really help acne?
No. The American Academy of Dermatology states that tanning damages skin and can worsen acne. Any temporary improvement in appearance is outweighed by long-term skin damage. Dermatologists do not recommend sun exposure as an acne treatment.
Can my acne medication make me burn faster?
Yes. The AAD notes that some acne medications make skin very sensitive to UV from the sun and tanning beds. That means you can burn more quickly and unexpectedly while on certain treatments. Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen and sun avoidance are especially important during treatment.
r/SkincareAddiction: 'My pimples look better after a beach day — is the sun actually helping my acne or am I fooling myself?'