I don't know about you, but I never got the "skin talk". Blackheads, pimples and breakouts were just another challenge that came with being a girl every month. Now over a decade of living and learning, I still deal with acne every single day! Bah Humbug right? But there's always a silver lining, I have grown to love and learn more and more about proper skin care habits everyday, and I'm going to share some very important tips with you. Let's get started, Shall we?
Acne develops when your skin produces too much oil, paired with dead skin cell build-up in turn clogs your pores and Ta-Da ACNE! Seems simple enough right? Why this is the true black and white of getting breakouts, there are a number of things we do in habit everyday that makes acne easier to develop.
I’m going to share with you 10 things that can make acne develop faster, and alternative practices to try instead.
1. Trying a new acne or skincare treatment every other week.
I know trying new products can be fun! I mean what is life without buying new things, right? When it comes to our skin we MUST be more careful. Adding multiple products to your skin at a time can irritate your skin more than heal it.
Instead: Give your new routine time to work. Allow your treatments 4-8 weeks to properly see changes and improvements in the skin before you begin something new. If no change or improvement has been noticed, then trying something else is safe.
2. Using Makeup on top of heavy products.
Different skincare products contain ingredients that can cause acne if merged together. Some makeup brands along with skin and hair products contain oils and ingredients that (if left sitting on the skin) can cause acne and breakouts.
Instead: Look for products that contain a minimal amount of oils if any. Look for products (makeup, skincare, haircare) that are labeled "non-comedogenic" to help keep pores from clogging and less irritations.
3. Applying medications ONLY on your blemishes.
This seems very likely when it comes to certain aspects of skincare treatments. When you see a blemish you just want to FIX IT! As easy as that may seem it doesn't help prevent new breakouts on the skin from forming.
Instead: Use your treatments on a specific area of the skin, instead of just certain blemishes. For Example: If you have acne and breakouts forming on your forehead, you would want to apply your treatment to the entire forehead instead of just on top of the blemish there.
4. Sleeping in Your Make-Up
Any makeup you wear can cause acne when you sleep in it. Keeping makeup on the skin blocks the pores restricting the skin to repair itself, as well as locking bacteria and pollutants on the skin allowing it to absorb into your pores.
Instead: Remove all makeup and wash with your facial routine before bed. NO EXCEPTIONS! If all fails be sure to at least use a makeup remover wipe to remove as much makeup as possible. Try not to use any oil based wipes or cleaners.
5. Wash your face multiple times throughout the day.
Washing your face several times a day can irritate the skin creating more breakouts and acne.
Instead: Wash your face 2x per day. Once in the morning and Once at night. Be sure to use Sunscreen daily, and thoroughly cleanse and moisturize the skin.
6. Sharing your makeup, makeup brushes, or applicators.
When we apply makeup to our skin, our oils, skin cells, and all types of things can come into contact with our makeup applicators. As acne is not contagious, sharing things that come into such close contact with your skin can lead to sharing bacteria, and other dead skin cells from other people's skin. (eww!) These clog your pores and cause breakouts.
Instead: Be sure you're the only person using your makeup brushes and wash them thoroughly every 1-2 weeks.
7. Keeping Skin Too Dry
When your skin breaks out often or develops acne that could mean it is oily. This could be tricky because using products like astringents or certain drying acne treatments that you believe improve your skin can actually cause more irritation. Any Irritations can cause acne
Instead: Be sure to know your skin type, and use products that are specifically made for your skin. Rather your skin is dry or oily, be sure to apply a moisturizer that does not clog your pores and regulates your skin's natural oil production.
8. Rubbing Sweat from your skin during workouts
Using a towel or your hands to rub away sweat can introduce bacteria to the skin that YOU GUESSED IT! can cause breakouts.
Instead: Use a clean towel when working out to GENTLY pat your skin when sweating. Or wearing headbands can ultimately help, but keeping them clean is VERY IMPORTANT!
9. Scrubbing your skin clean
You may be tempted to use a scrubber when you breakouts. Unfortunately this method can deeply irritate the skin and cause redness, and even more breakouts than you started with.
Instead: Be gentle with your skin, especially the skin on your face or skin with acne and breakouts present. Apply a gentle mild cleanser, without oils or oil stripping ingredients. Look for "non-comedogenic" on the label meaning it will not clog your pores. Apply cleanser lightly with fingertips moving in circular motions. Gently rinse with warm/cold water and pat dry with a towel or drying cloth.
10. Pop or Squeeze your acne and breakouts
If there is one thing I'm familiar with it is the temptation to pop a pimple. They have an entire TV show dedicated to it, so I couldn't be the only one. Popping or squeezing your acne can push the inside (pus, bacteria, dead skin) deeper into your skin making it more irritated. This leads to more noticeable acne and sometimes scarring and pain.
Instead: RESIST TEMPTATION! Treat your acne without causing additional irritations. If you have acne that is too deep or painful be sure to see a dermatologist for additional help and treatments.
The Takeaway