I Love Festivals, but My Skin Doesn’t. Here’s the Breakout-Proof Routine an Expert Recommended
Vicky Jessop
These are the tips a dermatologist gave me to keep my skin breakout-free.
I’m a sucker for festival season. There’s nothing quite like it: long, light days, fields full of people wearing the most colourful clothing they can pull out of their wardrobes, and live music. Unfortunately, my skin doesn’t always agree. I’ve been going to camping festivals for years, and every time I find myself breaking out during or shortly after.
It will come as no surprise, but festivals aren’t exactly great for your skin. Days of sweating, drinking alcohol, eating chips, suncream, and not getting a full eight hours all add up. So I spoke to an expert to finally find the routine to keep my breakouts at bay. (When dancing the day away.)
Dermatologist-Approved Tips For Avoiding Breakouts at Festivals
I reached out to Dr Zainab Laftah, Consultant Dermatologist at The Shard. She’s an expert in adult dermatology, a member of several leading medical dermatology boards and has more than two decades of experience in the field.
“It’s best to keep your skincare routine simple with a gentle cleanser, a lightweight non-comedogenic moisturiser to protect the skin barrier, and finish with a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen,” says Dr Laftah.
She also recommends avoiding touching your face (as hands can transfer oil, dirt and bacteria to the skin) and using a hypochlorous acid facial spray, which can reduce bacteria and calm redness and irritation.
“If you are prone to breakouts, use salicylic acid pads to help keep pores clear,” she adds.
“Avoid harsh scrubs or over-cleansing, as these can irritate the skin and worsen breakouts, especially if your skin is already stressed from lack of sleep. For instant hydration, try a water essence or facial spray to refresh and calm the skin. They can help support the skin barrier without feeling heavy, making them ideal after long days outdoors,” she goes on to share.
For a festival skin routine, Dr Laftah recommends the following. Before sleep, remove sunscreen and makeup with a gentle foaming or salicylic acid cleanser. She recommends Murad’s Blemish Control Clarifying Cleanser. For salicylic acid pads, MediK8’s Blemish Control Pads are also a great starting point.
After that, apply a non-comedogenic moisturiser: Caudalie Vinopure Oil-Control Moisturiser For Acne Prone Skin, or Tropic Fresh Waves Balancing Moisturiser.
“Prioritise sleep and keep your skin hydrated,” she adds. “Avoid sleeping in makeup or sunscreen, as this can increase the risk of breakouts. A non-comedogenic, fragrance-free overnight mask for hydration and barrier repair can be used but should be avoided if the skin is actively breaking out.”
The following morning, she advises to “cleanse gently if needed, apply a lightweight moisturiser, and finish with a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen. If your skin feels irritated after a day outdoors, stick to a simple routine and avoid exfoliating acids or scrubs until your skin has settled.”
Dr Laftah also recommends Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen or La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Oil Control Fluid SPF50+ for Oily Blemish-Prone Skin.
My Festival Skincare Routine for Healthy Skin
Taking on these tips, and a bit of trial and error on my part, I’ve finally figured out a routine that works for me when I’m camping out at a festival.
Starting with cleansing, I’ve always found Loya’s HealthyGlow 3-in-1 Cleanser to be great. The Shikimic acid formula strips impurities without drying out my skin, and leaves it feeling soft and revitalised.
Usually, I pair that with Clinique’s combination-oily Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel. It’s pleasingly lightweight, and doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy after application.
I also use Clinique’s Moisture Surge overnight face mask. It’s great at delivering moisture without overloading the skin, leaving me looking fresh and hydrated in the morning.
Of course, the true healer here is time. That, and a good night’s sleep and plenty of water. But where’s the fun in that? With the right routine, I don’t have to choose between preventing breakouts and getting the most out of my festival experience. This way, I get to enjoy both. Bring on the music.
Shop Vicky’s Festival Skincare Routine
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