Skincare Mistakes That Make Your Acne Worse
TOP 10 SKINCARE MISTAKES TO AVOD THAT'S MAKING YOUR ACNE WORSE
The most fundamentally skin-damaging mindset is not trusting your skin enough. Remember, your skin is smart. It knows how to restore and repair itself!
If you suffer from acne, then you probably spend a lot of time thinking about skincare and trying to reduce the severity of your breakouts. Unfortunately, some of the common methods patients employ to treat or manage their acne may actually do more harm than good.
Let’s take a closer look at some common skincare mistakes that worsen acne.
Mistake #1: Using Harsh or Abrasive Products on Acne-Prone Skin
If you have acne-prone skin, you may be using an exfoliating cleanser to unclog your pores and reduce acne breakouts. What you may not realize is that using harsh and abrasive products on acne-prone skin can actually aggravate the situation.
Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells, which can clog your pores and contribute to acne breakouts. However, you must exercise caution when selecting an exfoliant because the wrong choice may end up irritating or damaging your skin, exacerbating the problem.
The solution : Instead of using a physical exfoliant, such as a gritty scrub or a rough facial cleansing cloth, look for chemical exfoliants such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), beta hydroxy acids (BHA), or chemical peels. While physical exfoliants may buff away dead skin cells, leaving your skin smooth, the friction involved may irritate your already inflamed skin, resulting in increased redness and breakouts.
Chemical exfoliants, on the other hand, aid in the loosening of dead skin cells, allowing them to slough off naturally. Just keep in mind that some chemical exfoliants can dry out your skin, so use an oil-free moisturizer to avoid peeling and irritation.
You should also speak with your dermatologist to determine the right chemical exfoliant for your skin type.
Mistake #2: Not Wearing Sunscreen or Applying it Poorly
Wearing sunscreen is the best way to protect your skin from UV damage while also lowering your risk of skin cancer. Many women are unaware that it can also affect the frequency and severity of acne breakouts.
While sun exposure is necessary for Vitamin D production, too much of it can dry out your skin. When your skin becomes too dry, it may overcompensate by producing more oil.
As a result, the skin becomes oily and greasy, resulting in clogged pores and frequent breakouts.
Another common mistake that women make with sunscreen is applying too much or not enough. Wearing a thick layer of sunscreen can clog your pores and prevent them from breathing properly, increasing the risk of breakouts.You should also know that certain ingredients in sunscreen can irritate or dry out your skin.
The Solution: Look for an oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher that won't clog your pores or irritate your skin. Apply an even layer of sunscreen to your skin 10 to 15 minutes before going out in the sun to allow it to settle into your skin and become active.
Mistake #3: Using Too Much or Too Little Acne Medication
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Over-the-counter acne medications are excellent for treating specific problem areas and reducing breakouts. However, as with any skincare product, there is a proper and incorrect way to use them.
One of the most common misconceptions about acne medication is that it should only be used on existing pimples. Your skin contains thousands of pores, any one of which can become clogged and result in the formation of your next pimple.
If you only apply acne medication to existing pimples, you may help them heal faster, but you will not prevent another one from forming right next to it.
Some women do not use enough acne medication, while others overuse it. If you are prone to breakouts, you may believe that slathering on an anti-acne product several times per day will help prevent breakouts, but the opposite may be true.
Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and sulfur are blemish-fighting ingredients found in over-the-counter acne medications. While these ingredients help unclog pores and reduce the likelihood of breakouts, they can also dry out your skin and cause irritation.
If you overuse these products, you may experience redness and peeling, as well as more frequent breakouts.
Solution:The best thing you can do to keep your skin clear and breakout free is to apply a thin layer of anti-acne medication once a day. If you have sensitive skin, use the medication on the areas where your breakouts most frequently occur and spare the rest of your skin the potential irritation.
If you still have trouble with redness or irritation when using acne medication once a day, you might try adding a moisturizer to your regimen.
Mistake #4:Using the Wrong Technique When Washing Your Face
Using the wrong cleanser is one of the first mistakes women make when washing their faces. It's critical to select the right cleanser for your skin type because making the wrong choice can lead to breakouts and other issues.
Avoid foaming and exfoliating cleansers if you have dry skin. Use light, water-based products on oily skin. Avoid heavy and foaming cleansers if you have combination skin.
If you have acne-prone skin, you may already be using a salicylic acid or another acne-fighting ingredient in your face wash.
What you may not realize is that it takes time for these products to work. If you rinse your skin too quickly, the active ingredient may not be able to do its job.
Other common blunders made by women include not thoroughly rinsing after cleansing and waiting until the skin is dry before applying moisturizer.
If you don't thoroughly rinse your skin, leftover cleansing agents can dry out your skin and cause excess oil production, which can lead to breakouts. In addition to thoroughly rinsing, you should moisturize right away to ensure that your skin receives the most benefit.
Solution:To wash your face properly, wet your skin with lukewarm water and apply a small amount of gentle cleanser using your fingertips. Massage the cleanser into your skin to ensure that any active ingredients have adequate time to work. After cleansing, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat your skin dry with a clean towel or washcloth. Finally, apply a light layer of moisturizer, gently massaging it into your skin without rubbing too hard.
Mistake #5:Not Using Moisturizer or Using the Wrong Moisturizer
If you have oily skin, you should focus on drying it out rather than adding moisture to reduce breakouts. You may be surprised to learn that even oily skin requires moisture. When it comes to your skin, it's critical to understand the distinction between oil and water content. Just because your skin is oily doesn't mean it's dehydrated.
In fact, it could imply the inverse. When your skin loses moisture, the sebaceous glands produce more oil in order to retain moisture and protect the skin's surface. Unfortunately, this can result in clogged pores and more breakouts.
Another common mistake that women make is using the incorrect moisturizer for their skin type. If you use the wrong moisturizer, it may be so thick that it sits on top of the skin rather than absorbing completely, exacerbating the problem of clogged pores. You may also encounter the opposite issue, in which the product is too thin to provide adequate hydration.
The solution:When it comes to preventing breakouts, keeping your skin properly moisturized is critical, so choose the best moisturizer for your skin type.
You need a lightweight product that hydrates and nourishes your skin without clogging your pores if you have acne-prone skin. A water-based gel is an excellent example, as are products containing hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and dimethicone.
If you have dry skin, a cream moisturizer that absorbs quickly into the skin to hydrate and soften it may be preferable. Lanolin, ceramides, and shea butter are all excellent ingredients to include in a moisturizer for dry skin.
You might even want to buy separate moisturizers for day and night to get the most out of your moisturizing routine. You want a moisturizer for oily skin that helps lock in your skin's natural moisture without being greasy or heavy.
A hyaluronic acid serum or gel is a great option because it will lock in your skin's water content without being too heavy on the surface. You should also make sure to use an oil-free moisturizer.
If you have combination skin, you may need to buy moisturizers for different parts of your face. Apply a lightweight acne moisturizer to the areas that require it (such as your jawline and cheeks), but avoid using too much on your T-zone where it could become greasy.
Mistake #6:Only Using Makeup Wipes to Clean Your Face
Makeup wipes are great, the problem is that many women use them to remove makeup but fail to follow it up with a face wash.
First and foremost, they do not cleanse the skin. Most of the time, all they do is smear around the dirt, oil, dead skin, and makeup that is already on your face and add whatever chemicals are infused in the wipes themselves.
Second, scrubbing your face with makeup wipes can cause minor inflammation. Over time, this inflammation can cause uneven skin tone, premature aging, and more frequent breakouts. Some makeup wipes may leave oil on your skin, clogging your pores.
The Solution: While it's tempting to reach for a makeup wipe to remove your makeup before bed, it's well worth the extra minute or two to actually wash your face. Washing your face removes more than just makeup; it also removes dirt, excess oils, and dead skin cells, all of which can contribute to breakouts.
Clean, clear, and glowing skin does not have to be a pipe dream. You can improve your skin health and reduce the frequency of your acne breakouts by making some simple changes to your current acne skincare routine to correct common mistakes.
Mistake #7:Squeezing or Picking at Your Pimples
As satisfying as it may be to pop that whitehead, doing so could actually spread the bacteria responsible for the pimple and lead to further breakouts.
By squeezing a pimple that isn’t ready to pop, you might end up forcing the oil and bacteria deeper into your skin, leading to an even bigger blemish. You’ll also be introducing bacteria and dirt from your hands to the area which can increase inflammation.
Another problem with popping pimples is that you might interfere with your body’s natural healing process. Acne is the body’s response to clogged pores and bacteria.
The bumps on your skin that result are evidence that your body is attempting to solve the problem. Picking at the wound may interfere with the healing process and introduce new bacteria, exacerbating the situation.
Finally, picking at pimples can cause skin damage and scarring. When you pop a pimple, you force the oil, bacteria, and other debris out of the pore, tearing the top layer of skin. As a result, there is an open wound that may scar as it heals.
The solution : lnstead of popping pimples, use an acne spot treatment to heal the blemish without leaving a scar. Begin by cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser and applying a light layer of moisturizer to protect your skin from the drying effects of the medication.
Next, apply a pea-sized amount of the spot treatment to your skin in an even layer. Again, applying the medication to your entire face is more effective than treating individual pimples. Just make sure to apply it evenly to problem areas such as your brow, cheeks, and chin.
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Mistake #8:Using too many products
Many people with acne use upwards of ten products at a time on their skin, some products even contradicting the effects of others!The problem with this is, as mentioned earlier, there may be contraindications between products, and the layering of products may render others ineffective or useless. Plus, the more products you add into a routine, the more likely you are to encounter reactions that result in clogged pores and breakouts.
Sometimes the best approach is just to simplify to the most minimal skincare routine you can muster and still achieve your skin goals.
Mistake #9:Starting Anti-Aging Skincare Way Too Early
Starting anti-aging skincare too early can unnecessarily stress out skin. The best way for people in their teens and twenties to maintain their youth, bounce, and glow? Make sure your skin is hydrated and use sunscreen every day!
Mistake #10: Not Giving New Products a Chance to Work
You try a new acne treatment for a few days, but your skin does not improve, so you give up and try another. Does this ring a bell? Many acne patients use washes, spot treatments, and moisturizers far too frequently.
The problem is that it can take up to 8 or 12 weeks for your skin to improve after you begin using a new treatment. So, if you discontinue treatment after only a few days or weeks, you really don't know if that treatment would have worked for you. Before deciding whether or not a new treatment is effective, give it at least two months to see if it works.
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