Does going to the beach help with acne?

Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disease of the skin that by hormones, inflammation and bacteria on the skin, which contribute to the red nodules and pus bumps that are seen.  One often hears about how the beach can improve acne, mainly because of the sun, salt water or some other reason.   Is this myth or fact?  First, sunlight contains both ultraviolet (UV) light and visible light.  UV light is invisible and is a known, proven cause of skin aging and skin cancer.  Visible light from the sun allows the human eye to see in color because the different wavelengths of light cause our retina to perceive green, red, blue and the rest of the color spectrum.  According to the latest dermatology research, UV light does not improve acne because it has no effect on the oil glands or sebum (oil) production.  Because tanning beds emit mostly UV light they lead to skin aging, not a clearer complexion.  However, it turns out that blue and red light does improve acne, mainly because of its anti-inflammatory effects on the skin.  How?  Blue and red light interacts with the oil glands in the skin.  During this interaction, destructive molecules called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) form, killing the bacteria that cause acne.  Keep in mind that only mild acne improves with exposure to red and blue light, not severe or scarring acne.  Since window glass filters most (but not all) UV light and allows blue and red light to pass through, a guy can get the same benefit (with less risk) by sitting next to a window in the car or home.  Currently, there are no scientific studies evaluating the effectiveness of salt water on acne.  However, there is one case report that showed acne worsening from exposure to salt water (Darley. Clin Exp Dermatol. 1990 Nov;15(6):462-3).   Another factor that could cause acne to improve at the beach is stress (or lack thereof).  Emotional stressors from external sources are known to make acne worse, according to a recent study from Stanford University.  Those of us who enjoy the ocean are pretty relaxed while doing it.  In addition, most people who get to the beach do so while on vacation, which tends to be less stressful than an average work week.