Summer is officially Cheek Season—the time when swimsuits get smaller, days get sweatier, and your butt sees a whole lot more daylight. Whether you’re headed to the beach, the pool, or just living in short-shorts, now’s the moment when your cheeks are most exposed—and most vulnerable.

So why is it that we obsess over summer skincare for our face, but totally ignore the skin we sit on?

Turns out, your butt goes through a lot during the warmer months. And if you’ve ever dealt with breakouts, irritation, or rough texture back there, you’re not alone. Here's why it's happening, and what to do about it.

Why Your Butt Needs Skincare in the Summer

Summer is hard on skin—especially the skin on your butt, which happens to be one of the most neglected areas in skincare. While your face gets SPF, serums, and weekly exfoliation, your butt is often left to deal with sweat, friction, bacteria, and sun exposure with little to no support.

Let’s break it down.

1. Sweat and Heat Create the Perfect Environment for Breakouts
The butt is packed with sweat glands but has fewer oil glands than your face, which means it gets clogged easily without much natural lubrication. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, occlusion (blocked pores due to tight clothing or sitting too long) is one of the key contributors to body acne. Add sweat, bacteria, and heat, and the risk of folliculitis and acne mechanica goes way up.

2. Tight or Wet Swimwear Traps Bacteria and Irritates Skin
Wearing tight-fitting or wet clothing for extended periods can lead to friction-based inflammation. Studies published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology have shown that prolonged moisture and friction compromise the skin barrier, especially when paired with synthetic fabrics. This makes skin more susceptible to inflammation, rashes, and clogged follicles.

3. Chlorine, Saltwater, and Sun Exposure Strip the Skin Barrier
Swimming might feel refreshing, but chlorine and saltwater can dehydrate the skin and strip away its protective lipid layer. Without proper care, this leads to dryness, flaking, and increased sensitivity. UV exposure only adds to the damage. Even if your butt isn’t in direct sunlight all day, incidental exposure can contribute to hyperpigmentation, especially in darker skin tones.

4. You’re Probably Not Exfoliating Where It Counts
Dead skin cells build up faster in areas that experience friction and pressure. The butt is one of them. When you don’t exfoliate regularly with the right texture and ingredients, you end up with clogged pores, rough patches, and bumpy texture—sometimes misdiagnosed as acne, but often just keratin buildup.

In short:

• Sweat increases bacteria and pore blockages

• Friction triggers inflammation and barrier breakdown

• Wet, tight clothes worsen both

• Sun, salt, and chlorine strip hydration

• Most people are doing nothing about it

That’s why we created Buttface—to bring real skincare to the skin that’s always left out. Not with gimmicks or glitter, but with active ingredients that hydrate, clear, and strengthen your skin.

Because Cheek Season is not the time to neglect your butt. It’s the time to show up for it.