5 Common Skincare Mistakes That Make Your Acne Worse

Acne is relentless. 

It sometimes feels like, no matter what products and care you give your skin, nothing stops those pesky pimples from rearing their ugly whiteheads. 

But as frustrating as acne can be, the solution can sometimes be more straightforward than you think. You can greatly simplify things for yourself by avoiding a few of the most common skincare mistakes - some of these mistakes we’re about to share with you, you may not have not realized - others, may just be a gentle reminder (stop popping your pimples cough cough).

In this article, we’ll identify five of the most common pitfalls people fall into that make that worsen their acne. With these in mind, you can clear up your skin in no time.

Over-Cleansing and Over-Exfoliating

If you suffer from frequent breakouts, your initial impulse may be to cleanse and exfoliate your skin more often. The more you do, the better the result- right? Although it may seem counterintuitive, cleansing and exfoliating your skin too often can actually make your acne worse. 

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, “Washing your face several times a day can further irritate your skin, leading to more breakouts.” 

Experts suggest to instead wash your face two or three times a day — once in the morning, once at night, plus an additional time after strenuous sweat-inducing exercise. Two washes per day are enough to remove the majority of dirt, excess sebum, dead skin cells, and other debris that are known to clog pores and lead to breakouts.

Many skincare experts also warn about over-exfoliation.

“We recommend not using physical/abrasive scrubs especially if you have active acne on your face,” writes the skincare thought leaders at SmoodBeauty.com. “This will simply aggravate your acne and potentially make it worse.”

To avoid skin irritation, we suggest using chemical exfoliants with gentle beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). BHAs, especially salicylic acid, are great for treating acne because they can get deep into the pores and break down the extra oil and dirt that cause breakouts. BHAs also work as a gentle exfoliant, helping to remove dead skin cells from the surface and inside the pores, which reduces the chance of blockages. Not only do they help clear existing acne, but they also promote a smoother, healthier complexion overall.

If you are looking for something to start with, here’s what we recommend:

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

What It Is: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant features 2% salicylic acid, which helps clear pores and improve skin texture. 

Why It’s Effective: This BHA exfoliant addresses issues like acne and uneven skin tone by gently exfoliating both the surface and inside the pores. It cleans up oily skin and makes it smooth and silky.

Using Way Too Much Acne Medication

When you experience a breakout, you might be tempted to load on the acne products.

This is an easy mistake to make, as one might assume using acne medications more often will lead to a quicker result of clearer skin.

But like in many other aspects of skincare, sometimes less is more.

According to NYC cosmetic dermatologist Sejal Shah, the founder of SmarterSkin Dermatology (https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-acne-treatments-could-make-breakouts-worse-dermatologist-guide), some ingredients in acne treatments “tend to be drying, and the most common mistake people make is overusing them, either too often or too much”. He adds, “When they are overused, they can overly dry or irritate the skin, leading to more breakouts.”

For example, salicylic acid, as we mentioned earlier, works great as an acne treatment to unclog pores - however, it’s important to not overwhelm your skin and slowly build up to using the product daily as your skin adjusts.

So, how can you tell if you need to dial back the consistency of your application? Pay close attention to any reactions, such as redness, dryness, peeling, or increased sensitivity, as these may indicate that your skin needs more time to adapt. Evaluate your skin’s condition over a few weeks; if you notice improvements without significant irritation, your skin may be ready for increased use.

Remember that oily and acne-prone skin may tolerate certain medications better than dry or sensitive skin, so take this into account when assessing your tolerance. Of course, if you’re still unsure about how often to use your acne treatments, consulting a dermatologist can also provide personalized advice based on your specific skin type and medication.

Improper Facewash Routine

Perhaps the only threat to your skin greater than over-cleansing is under-cleansing.

When you fail to give your face a proper wash, your skin will accumulate a buildup of dirt, bacteria, and nasty oils, leading to breakouts of blackheads and whiteheads.

When washing your face, it’s not about how often you clean. Rather, it’s about making the times you do clean count.

To perform an effective facewash, Dr. Viseslav Tonkovic-Capin, MD, a Kansas City-based dermatologist, suggests that you apply facewash to the palms of your clean hands, and work them into the lather with lukewarm water.

Rub in a circular motion “from the forehead, around eyes, down the cheek and finishing at the chin,” says Dr. Peterson Pierre, MD, a dermatologist in Thousand Oaks, California, also advising going from the top of the face to the bottom because “it's easy to remember and a logical flow.”

Also, if you’re wearing any kind of makeup or sunscreen, we recommend cleansing twice. The first cleanse is to remove oils, dirt and makeup from the face. The second cleanse is to address any skin concerns you have like oil control or dryness.

And just like with your moisturizer, make sure your face wash is also non-comedogenic. To prevent acne, we don’t want to overly strip the skin of its oils. See below for our non-comodogenic face wash recommendation:

Youth To The People – Superfood Gentle Antioxidant Refillable Cleanser

What It is: This is a powerful but gentle face wash that includes superfood antioxidants kale, spinach green tea, alfalfa, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E. 

Why It’s Effective: This product works on normal, dry, and oily skin. Its antioxidant protection helps fight environmental stressors and free radicals, which can contribute to skin aging and damage. It also prevents buildup in pores, removes makeup, and balances pH without drying or stripping.

Not Using Moisturizer

It’s natural to think that if you have oily skin, why moisturize? Doesn’t that just make things worse? You might be surprised to learn that not using moisturizer might be causing your skin to produce more oil. Seems counterintuitive, right? We can explain.

When your skin becomes dry (for example, after you wash your face), your body naturally produces more oil, which can clog your pores and lead to nasty breakouts.

For skin that is acne-prone, the American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends using a moisturizer that is non-comedogenic and oil-free - in other words, look for a moisturizer that boasts these labels to avoid clogging your pores.

By incorporating the right moisturizer into your routine, you can keep your skin hydrated and healthy while minimizing the risk of breakouts.

Here’s what we recommend:

Dieux Air Angel

What It Is: Dieux Air Angel is a jelly-textured moisturizer for all skin types that promotes healthy skin, visibly smooths fine lines, provides hydration, and maintains a supple skin barrier.

Why It’s Effective: This moisturizer uses ceramides, amino acids, and moisture complexes to hydrate and heal your dry skin. It is non-acnegenic (formulated to not cause or exacerbate acne) and non-comedogenic, allowing makeup to be easily applied on the skin after application.

Popping Pimples

You’re already rolling your eyes. You’ve heard it a million times, but it’s true. Now’s the time to stick to the habit of never, under any circumstances, popping your pimples!

Although it might be tempting, popping pimples can lead to greater inflammation, a higher risk of infection, and potential scarring. Resisting the urge to pop pimples and treating them with care can help prevent these negative effects.

So how can you get rid of acne without popping? One way is to apply a warm compress to help reduce inflammation. Additionally, you can try applying a layer of a gentle acne-fighting serum, or try using a spot treatment designed to diminish blemishes and reduce redness. See below for our recommendations.

Sonya Dakar – Super Clear:

What It Is: A serum for all skin types that clarifies complexion, reduces visible inflammation, and visibly reduces pores over time.

Why It’s Effective: This is a clean formula suitable for all skin types, built with antioxidants to protect skin from future breakouts.

Building a Solid Skincare Foundation

Building a skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated.

If you are new to the world of skincare, don’t be afraid to experiment with new products. Everyone’s skin is different, and just because one guru recommends a product doesn’t mean that it will fix your unique skincare problem.

We hope that the resources we provided for you today will help you control your acne and promote healthy, radiant skin.

Thanks for reading, happy shopping, and good luck on your skincare journey!