Skip to main content
Emma Stone at the Annual Actor Awards event.
Salma Hayek in a lavender gown at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony.
Collagen-boosting superfoods for glowing summer skin.

Beauty

The One Makeup Product You Should Never Wear In The Summer Because It Clogs Pores, According To A Dermatologist

May 28, 2019 by Emily Belfiore
shefinds | Beauty
Featured image

SheFinds receives commissions for purchases made through the links in this post.

Summer is our favorite time of year for the warm weather and trips to the beach, but it can be a hard to season to endure if you struggle with oily skin. The higher temperatures bring a lot of unwelcomed humidity with them, which then results in sweat-clogged pores.

The experts at Joanna Vargas say that switching up your makeup routine is the easiest and most effective way to prevent clogged pores this summer. “It’s best to wear as little makeup this summer as possible,” it states on the Joanna Vargas Blog. “And if you do, try not to wear it for long periods of time.”

house unit img
Women Are Swapping Their Boring Water For This Ice Pop Electrolyte Mix!
Flawless makeup foundation application for radiant skin

Dr. Anjali Mahto is a London-based dermatologist at Skin55 and author of The Skincare Bible: Your No-Nonsense Guide To Great Skin, says that it's best to steer clear of non-comedogenic foundations and other cosmetic products because of their tendency to clog pores despite their hypoallergenic formulations. She notes that these products aren't held to a universal standard of testing and that their "hypoallergenic," "clean," "non-toxic," and "natural," "non-comedogenic" labels fall "into the realm of marketing claim rather than absolute truth."

"This means it could still break you out — something that even industry and health-care professionals fail to realize. To add to the confusion, the internet is riddled with lists of skin-care ingredients and textures that can block pores and are supposedly to be avoided," she writes for Refinery29 UK

Skincare trick to look ten years younger

Skin experts also recommend investing in your skincare to help eliminate excess oil and create a healthier complexion that won't need as much makeup. Wellness guru Valerie Grandury, founder of Odacite Skincare, stresses that exfoliation should be your biggest priority in the summer months.

"Exfoliate at least three times a week," she explains. "By doing it regularly, you’re making sure all your pores stay clear and your skin can breathe. That’s really important because breakouts happen when you start sweating and everything’s clogged."

Keep scrolling to shop our editors' favorite exfoliators that are gentle and effective for combating clogged summer skin: 

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads for glowing skin

FIRST AID BEAUTY Facial Radiance Pads ($32)

Placeholder image for style and beauty content

CAUDALIE Glycolic Peel ($39)

Fresh Umbrian Clay exfoliator for clear pores

FRESH Umbrian Clay Pore Purifying Face Exfoliator ($33)

Murad Replenishing Multi-Acid Peel for skin renewal

MURAD Replenishing Multi Acid Peel ($65)

Sand & Sky Pink Clay Exfoliating Treatment for brightening

SAND & SKY Australian Pink Clay Flash Perfection Exfoliating Treatment ($43)

Author:

Associate Editor

Emily Belfiore is a former associate editor of SheFinds. She wrote beauty, weight loss, wellness and celebrity stories for the site. She is a pop culture enthusiast.

Woman applying concealer for a flawless makeup finish.
Common beauty habits causing skin inflammation revealed.
Older woman performing a skincare routine for healthy skin.
Enjoying spearmint tea for potential skin benefits.
Hair mistakes that could be aging you, according to stylists.
Anti-aging skincare tips from Arielle Lorre and Dr. Youn.
Foundations for mature skin to minimize fine lines.
Trendy butterfly haircut showcased on Instagram.
Fresh haircut styles women are choosing for a modern look.
Pouring shampoo into hand for application.
Everyday habits speeding up collagen breakdown explained.
Shutterstock image showcasing beauty and skincare trends.
Best summer scents and fragrances of 2026 curated by editors.
Makeup tips from Nikol Johnson for a polished look.
Common skincare mistakes for women over 40.
Hairstyles that subtly lift and distract from jowls.
Pouring vitamin D into palm for health.
Hailey Bieber's haircuts for thicker fine hair.
Chiffon nails designed by Instagram user @iramshelton.
Doctor discussing treatment for vertical lip lines.
Woman applying concealer for a flawless makeup finish.
Common beauty habits causing skin inflammation revealed.
Older woman performing a skincare routine for healthy skin.
Enjoying spearmint tea for potential skin benefits.
Hair mistakes that could be aging you, according to stylists.
Anti-aging skincare tips from Arielle Lorre and Dr. Youn.
Foundations for mature skin to minimize fine lines.
Trendy butterfly haircut showcased on Instagram.
Fresh haircut styles women are choosing for a modern look.
Pouring shampoo into hand for application.
Everyday habits speeding up collagen breakdown explained.
Shutterstock image showcasing beauty and skincare trends.
Best summer scents and fragrances of 2026 curated by editors.

Beauty

Summer is my favorite season. If I could bottle up ...

Makeup tips from Nikol Johnson for a polished look.
Common skincare mistakes for women over 40.
Hairstyles that subtly lift and distract from jowls.
Pouring vitamin D into palm for health.
Hailey Bieber's haircuts for thicker fine hair.
Chiffon nails designed by Instagram user @iramshelton.
Doctor discussing treatment for vertical lip lines.