Skin Care
Does the sun help acne? Many people believe that a bit of sun and a tan can clear up acne. But is that true or just a myth? It turns out that time in the sun only creates the appearance of better skin. For some people, sun exposure can actually make scars worse or trigger acne because UV light damages the skin. We asked a dermatologist if the sun can really cure acne.
Does the Sun Help Acne?
If you have acne, you’ve probably tried home remedies like sunbathing to “clear” your skin. But does sunlight really help? The short answer is no, says Dr. Hooman Khorasani, a triple board‑certified, fellowship‑trained cosmetic and skin cancer surgeon in New York.
“Many patients suffering from acne and psoriasis report that their acne and psoriasis improves during summer vacations, which includes sun exposure,” says Dr. Khorasani. This happens because UV light suppresses the immune system and can reduce inflammation. The catch? UV radiation also weakens the immune system’s ability to watch for cancer cells — and that raises the risk of skin cancer.
“Skin can sometimes appear healthier because the sun provokes the production of melanin in the skin, which gives you a tan.”
A tan can make skin look more even and can temporarily dry out pimples, so it may seem like acne has improved. But the sun does more harm than good in the long run.
Surprisingly, until the late 1970s, severe acne was sometimes treated with UV radiation or radiotherapy, Dr. Khorasani explains. “Decades later, many of these patients developed recurrent skin cancers,” he says. He recalls one case from his surgical internship: an elderly woman who had received UV treatment as a teenager developed more than 50 skin cancers on her scalp in her 70s. She did not survive surgery. Today, Dr. Khorasani says he has at least three patients who had UV treatments for acne and are now being treated for skin cancer. Short-term improvement can come at a high long-term cost.
Can the Sun Get Rid of Acne Scarring & Redness?
A tan can hide scars, but reductions in redness are often temporary. UV light suppresses the immune response, so inflammation—and redness—can appear to lessen for a while. The problem is that sun exposure damages delicate scar tissue and pigment.
“Collagen is the ‘brick and mortar’ of our skin, and in healthy skin, has a basket weave architecture,” explains Dr. Khorasani. “But in scar tissue, the collagen fibers are layered in a parallel fashion as opposed to the basket weave pattern.”
If you notice a change in a scar after sunburn, see a doctor. “Since scars do not contain as many melanocytes, they are also more prone to sunburns and therefore, the development of skin cancer,” says Dr. Khorasani.
Post-Sun Treatments for Acne Sufferers
As Forbes points out: “Sun avoidance and protection are important in helping this pigment change fade more quickly.” If you want acne scars or sun-induced pigment to fade faster, try these post-sun skin care options recommended by Dr. Khorasani and our skin care team.
Toners & Serums
– Lime Refresh Tonique tones and balances the skin, removes excess oil, and helps minimize pores. Citrus oils refresh the skin while lime juice works as an astringent to reduce the look of pores.
– Eminence Organics Stone Crop Serum hydrates and helps even skin tone and dark spots with stone crop, green tea, and bearberry extract.
Masks
– Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Masque blends avocado oil, citrus, and leafy greens to remove excess oil and help protect against signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
– Clear Skin Probiotic Masque is a cooling mask that helps reduce the look of blemishes and uses cucumber to tone and nourish problem areas.
– Eight Greens Phyto Masque – Not Hot improves the look of problem and oily skin.
Eminence Organics product support rep Nadira Kavanagh suggests refrigerating a treatment mask before use for an extra cooling, refreshing effect.
Dermatological Treatment Options for Acne Scars
If you want more than topical care, ask your dermatologist about professional treatments that resurface only a fraction of the skin each session. These include radio‑frequency (RF) microneedling, mechanical microneedling, and fractional CO2 laser, which can help rebuild collagen and improve scar appearance.
– Radio‑Frequency (RF) Microneedling: A non‑surgical procedure that targets acne scars and stimulates new collagen to tighten and improve skin texture.
– Mechanical Microneedling: Small needles create tiny wounds that break up scar tissue and encourage healthy collagen to form.
– Fractional CO2 Laser: A resurfacing laser that can be one of the most effective treatments for facial scars.
Acne at any age can be frustrating and affect your confidence, but there are safer options than sunbathing.
Product Picks
Lime Refresh Tonique
Refreshing toner for balanced skin
$39.00
Stone Crop Serum
High potency hydration serum
$55.00