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.
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: