Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the world, and it affects people of all ages and genders. Many people develop acne for the first time during puberty, but for many of us, flare-ups continue throughout our adult lives.
Having a poorly timed breakout can put a damper on your confidence, especially when it feels like it came out of nowhere. That’s because just about anything that throws your body off balance can noticeably impact your skin. Hormone fluctuations, stress, diet, and lack of sleep are a few of the factors that play a role in keeping skin clear.
Even though many things in our lives feel like they’re out of our control, one thing you have complete control over is your skincare routine. While some practices may be more beneficial than others, taking a holistic approach to treating your acne can help you achieve the clear skin you desire.
Keep reading to learn about six skincare habits that may be making your acne worse. You’ll also discover other, more productive habits for healthy skin that you can start incorporating into your daily self-care practice.
When it comes to cleansing your skin, sometimes less is more. If you struggle with acne, it can be tempting to think that washing your face will help you clear away any trapped oil or bacteria that may be causing it.
If you wear makeup, find yourself sweaty after a walk in the park or session at the gym, or absentmindedly touch your face throughout the day, washing your skin of potential dirt and debris is important. However, washing your face too often can actually irritate and dry out your skin, leading to new breakouts.
Instead of reaching for your cleanser in the morning, after your gym sesh, and before bed, try to limit your cleansing to once a day. A gentle cleanser will clean any sweat and debris from your pores while leaving your skin feeling soft and healthy.
When it’s time to wash your face, use warm (but not scalding hot) water to open up your pores and a clean towel to pat your skin dry when you’re done.
All types of acne, from pesky little red bumps to larger, more painful sores, result from clogged pores. When your body produces extra oil, also known as sebum, it can accumulate and eventually cause blockages in your pores.
Many acne products are effective at counteracting this issue, but they can also dry out your skin. Although dry skin on its own doesn’t directly contribute to acne, overly dry skin can trigger an increase in oil production and continue the acne cycle.
Even if you have oily or combination skin, it’s important to give your skin the hydration it needs. If you’re using an acne treatment—particularly if it’s a high-strength prescription medicine—take the time to check the ingredients in your products to make sure they complement one another.
If you’d like to simplify your routine, consider investing in a daytime or nighttime moisturizing cream with an active, acne-fighting ingredient like bakuchiol. Bakuchiol is a natural retinol that works to reduce inflammation in your skin, which can help reduce the appearance of mild to moderate breakouts.
This natural, gentle ingredient doesn’t dry out the skin like traditional retinoids do and has the added benefits of helping minimize fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
While it can be extremely tempting to pick and prod at your pimples in an attempt to hurry along the healing process, touching your blemishes usually makes them worse. When done incorrectly, popping pimples can aggravate your skin, intensify active inflammation, and even spread whatever bacteria or oil is built up in one pore to others nearby.
Not only can this lead to even more acne, but prematurely breaking your skin may increase your chances of developing permanent acne scars.
Instead of picking at your skin, leave the healing to the products and professionals. If you feel like you absolutely need an extraction, visit your dermatologist or an aesthetician who is trained to gently and safely clear out your pores.
Above all, trust in your skincare routine for acne to take care of your skin and help prevent future flare-ups.
If you’re struggling with other skin bumps like razor burn and need ingrown hair repair, try our flawless post-shave and wax serum . This ingrown hair serum helps reduce the presence of ingrown hairs while reducing redness and soothing your skin.
While virtually everyone falls into the categories of oily, dry, or combination skin, each person’s skin reacts to products differently. If you’re fighting acne, using oil-based products could potentially clog your pores worse than before.
It’s not only important to consider the ingredients in your cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreens, and serums—you also need to pay attention to what’s in your makeup. If you’re the kind of person who wears makeup every day, the type you wear could be making a significant impact on your acne by contributing to more breakouts.
Even if your friend swears by her morning serum, take some time to find products that really work for you. Look for products with simple, clean ingredients, and always do your research before combining active ingredients. Finding products that complement each other can enhance their benefits and give your skin an extra boost.
If you’re in search of a collection of clean beauty products, consider investing in our intense moisture + bakuchiol skincare bundle . If you’ve used retinoids in the past but found them harsh and irritating, this natural retinol can deliver the same benefits without stressing out your skin.
After a big night out, you may want nothing more than to crawl into bed and get some much-needed rest. However, sleeping in your makeup is one of the worst things you can do for your skin. Just as sleeping through the night gives your mind and body a chance to rest and recharge, it also gives your skin a deserved break.
If you wear makeup from morning to night, cleansing your skin before bed removes impurities and unclogs your pores, giving them time to breathe and reducing your chances of developing new acne come morning. Don’t skip this important step in your daily skincare routine.
Instead of thinking about face washing as a chore, try to make it a nighttime ritual and part of your daily self-care routine. Take it step-by-step, using products that smell relaxing and feel even better on your skin.
If you’re in the market for some products that will help you feel pampered, consider trying our revitalizing cleansing oil or our blue matcha clarifying serum . Both of these products have powerful, acne-fighting ingredients like bakuchiol and willow bark extract that will help reduce the appearance of blemishes and redness.
While there aren’t specific foods you need to cut out altogether to avoid developing acne, or conversely, a superfood that will magically get rid of your blemishes, your diet does play a role in your skin’s health.
What you eat and drink can affect your hormones and your sleep schedule, and if you already have oily skin, eating an unbalanced diet of greasy and fried foods has the potential to increase breakouts.
Instead of worrying about eliminating “unhealthy” foods from your diet, try to eat everything in moderation, including fruits, vegetables, carbs, proteins, and your favorite sweet treats.
Eating a variety of foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants will give your body the fuel it needs to keep you and your skin happy and healthy. Good nutrition works wonders for the rest of your body as well.
Finding ways to incorporate habits for healthy skin into your daily life will help you manage your acne and prevent future breakouts.
Remember, the products that work for one person may not work for you, so try to develop a personalized skincare routine for acne that works with your specific skin type. It may take a little trial and error, but your skin will thank you in the end.
Once you find a combination of skincare products that your skin responds to, give your skin the extra support it needs to look and feel its best. Prioritize following a balanced diet, getting restful sleep, drinking plenty of water, and managing your stress to create the foundation your skin needs to be radiant from the inside out.