The last thing you want to do when you’re breaking out is making your acne worse.
If you have been dealing with acne, you’re probably making one, if not all, of these five mistakes in this post. Worry not! I’m about to tell you what these mistakes are and how you can stop. This is not a guarantee guide to magically get rid of your acne. Instead, this post will tell you some things you might be doing wrong that’s worsening your acne.
This post will tell you the mistakes that make your acne worse, and how to solve these problems.
5 Mistakes You’re Doing That’s Making Your Acne WORSE
Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through links on this post. Read about my disclosure here.
Mistake #1: You’re Using Makeup Wipes
This is one of the biggest mistakes I see people making to this day. Please don’t use makeup wipes, especially if you are dealing with acne. The cloth can be too harsh on your fragile and delicate skin. The friction of the cloth to your face can cause irritation and further inflame your skin, thus making your acne worse. If you notice that your skin gets slightly pink or red after using makeup wipes, this is why.
The wipes might seem moist and moisturizing at first, but actually, the chemicals in makeup wipes are super drying to the skin. Consistently using makeup wipes will cause you to strip your skin and irritate it.
Solution:
Makeup wipes also don’t get rid of all your makeup, so it’s better to use a cleansing balm or oil instead. They are much more gentle on your skin, and they dissolve your makeup completely.
Cleansing Balms:
Farmacy “Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm”│$34
BANILLA CO “Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm”│$19
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Cleansing Oils:
Caudalie “Make-Up Removing Cleansing Oil”│$28
innisfree “Green Tea Hydrating Cleansing Oil”│$22
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Micellar Waters:
Bioderma “Sensible H20 Make-Up Removing Micelle Solution”│$11-$15
Garnier “SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water”│$7
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Mistake #2: You’re Using Too Many Products
Another mistake people make is thinking that more is better when it comes to cleansing your skin. However, that is most definitely not the case. Using too many products at once can overwhelm your skin and cause it to freak out. This can lead to more irritation and reddness on your skin.
Using too many products at once can also make it hard for you to figure out what is and isn’t working for your skin. Often, people with acne try to use too many acne fighting products simultaneously which is a big mistake. Acne products work differently depending on your skin type, acne type, etc., so it’s important to try these products one at a time.
It can also cause surface dryness, which is when the outer most layer of your skin is stripped of the natural oils and gets too dry. If your skin feels uncomfortably tight, or you notice your skin is more flaky after using your products, you might be a victim to surface dryness.
Solution:
Do a skin care cleanse, and start from scratch. To learn more about how to “Press Reset on Your Skin Care Routine,” check out this article from skin care experts at Krave Beauty.
Starting from scratch with your skin care routine can help you really understand what your skin concerns are, and figure out what products are compatible for your skin type. As you slowly start to integrate new products (one at a time!!) you will start to understand what ingredients you should be using to help your skin.
Mistake #3: You’re Not Being Consistent
Many people want to see fast results on getting rid of their acne. I was very guilty of this, and when I saw something wasn’t working within a few weeks, I would move on to the next product. It can also be hard to stay consistent because skin care brands are constantly promoting new products to try. But, trust me, this will only confuse your skin and make your issues worse.
You also can’t expect your skin to quickly adapt to the new ingredients and products your putting on your face. If you are constantly switching products, you’re skin will always be in fight mode, and it will want to produce more acne.
Solution:
It’s a lot easier said than done, but be patient! Consistency is crucial because you have to give the product time to produce effective results on your skin.
If you use a new product and you notice your skin feels irritated or rashy, it is better to stop using the product. However, sometimes your skin reacts to products by getting worse before it gets better. So, give it time for you to see how your skin is slowly reacting to the product before deciding to move on to something else.
Mistake #4: You’re Using Products With Fragrance
It’s easy to get sucked into skincare products that smell fresh and luxurious. But don’t be fooled! Fragrance can be one of the most irritating ingredients in skin care products. A little fact, many people are slighlty allergic to essential oils and extracts on thier skin, and they never know it! So, it’s important to use products that are fragrance-free in order to prevent your skin from becoming more irritated.
Using products with fragrance might seem harmless at first, but over time, you will be able to see the visible and negative effects of these products. That is why it is important to stay away from products with fragrance as early as you can. Especially if you are dealing with acne, fragrance can dry, strip, and worsen your skin, leading to more acne.
Solution:
Be mindful the ingredients in a product when looking for skin care products. Be cautious when you see ingredients with the words “oil,” “essential oil,” or “extract.” Many brands try to fool you by saying they use natural fragrance such as “essential oils” or “extracts” from plants or flowers. However, these still damage and strip your skin.
It’s safest to buy products that are “fragrance-free.” To build the best skin care routine that is fragrance-free, check out this post on my website: “The Most Effective Skin Care Routine For Beginners.”
Mistake #5: You’re Using Physical Exfoliants
Another common mistake people make when they first get acne is trying to scrub their acne away with physical exfoliators. Physical exfoliators are products with small beads or grains, and brands claim that the beads help to soften your skin and get rid of dead skin cells. However, the small beads or other facial scrubs actually tear your skin and cause harmful indents on your face. This will not only worsen your acne, but it also worsens the texture and scars on your face.
People also try DIY face masks using lemon, sugar, or other “natural” ingredients.
Solution:
So what should you use instead? Chemical Exfoliators! It sounds scary, I know, but they use active ingredients that are proven to be safe for use on the face. They often contain a small concentration of acids that help to delicately dissolve the dead skin off your skin.
Chemical exfoliants promote healthier skin by gently removing dead skin, unclogging pores, and promoting skin regeneration. So, not only should you get rid of physical exfoliants from your skin, you should also make sure you have a chemical exfoliant in your routine. Anyone can use chemical exfoliators, whether you have oily, normal, or dry skin.
Recommended Chemical Exfoliators:
Paula’s Choice “Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”│$10
KRAVE Beauty “Kale Lalu Yaha”│$25
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This post went over the common mistakes people are making that make their acne worse!
If you are guilty of making one or more of these mistakes, I hope you got insight to why your acne is not getting better!
By fixing these issues, you will have one less thing to worry about when it comes to getting rid of your acne.
Hope you enjoyed! Comment your thoughts or other mistakes people are making to make their acne worse in the comments below. If you know anyone who is struggling with acne, share this with them to help them out!
