Raechele Cochran Gathers, MD Are you making acne mistakes? Acne is not just a thing that teenagers deal with. Acne can trouble us well into our 40’s—and sometimes even beyond this. There are many causes of acne: Genetics, stress, beauty products, hormones, illness, medications…just to name a few. It’s super important that you’re aware of some common acne mistakes that can worsen your acne and keep you from having the clear skin that you want. Check out these 9 acne mistakes that you might be making.
9 Common Acne Mistakes
#1: Using the Wrong Cleanser
If you’re a ‘wipe’ devotee, and use them as your primary skin cleanser, be aware that they may not be removing all of the oil, dirt and irritants on your skin. Sure, wipes are convenient, and great at removing makeup. But in addition to leaving some of the bad stuff around, they may leave residue on your skin that can be irritating for some people. Additionally, if you use micellar water, be cautious. Micellar water is generally pretty gentle, and for many people can be a nice option. However, micellar water can leave behind ingredients, like preservatives, that can be irritating for some. You might need to rinse them off, even if they say that you don’t.
#2: Using Hair Products that Irritate Your Skin
Some hair products have ingredients that can be comedogenic (cause acne). Some people might be able to tolerate hair products that are oil heavy, but others may develop pimples from them. Petrolatum, silicone, mineral oil, coconut oil and cocoa butter can be problematic for some acne prone people. Also, chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, and lanolin can sometimes lead to acne causing irritation. The take home message is this: If you’re struggling with acne, look closely at your hair products. Try eliminating possible bad actors, one at a time, and see if it makes a difference in your skin.
#3: Scrubbing at Your Skin
Scrubbing your skin harder is not going to make your acne better. Acne is largely caused by inflammation in your skin. The more you scrub at your skin, the more you will increase irritation and inflammation, which could actually make your acne worse. Use your fingers pads and hands to wash your face, or a cotton towel in a gentle circular motion. No need to be aggressive!
#4: Using Your Acne Meds as a Spot Treatment
Many acne medications are not supposed to be used as a spot treatment. Instead, they should be used daily, breakout or not, to help decrease inflammation and decrease your risk of developing breakouts. They help fight acne that is under the skin that you can’t see yet! A great product to try, that used to be prescription only, but recently became available over-the-counter, is Differin. Differin can be very effective for acne, but you have to use it in acne-prone areas, breakout or not—not just to spot treat.
#5: Not Leaving Your Acne Wash On Long Enough
Medicated acne washes with ingredients like benzoyl peroxide can be wonderful for helping clear up your acne. But, when you wash with them, be sure to leave them on for longer than a couple seconds. You can try leaving them on for 30 seconds to a minute. Some physicians will even recommend leaving them on a bit longer. If you develop irritation, though, you may need to use a weaker strength product, use it less often, or maybe discontinue it all together. PanOxyl is a great benzoyl peroxide cleanser. It can be used for acne on the face, chest and back.
#6: Picking at Your Skin
Picking at your skin can increase inflammation and make your acne bumps even bigger. And for those with darker skin, picking is very likely going to lead to dark spots, called post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. There are dark spot treatments, but it’s best to try to avoid getting them in the first place.
#7: Not Cleansing Your Glasses and Cell Phone!
Anything that touches your skin can leave acne causing bacteria behind. Imagine all the gross places that your cell phone has touched! It’s important that you clean your cell phone daily. Another thing to try: Ear buds or hands free calling. Likewise, oil, grime and bacteria build up on your glasses and sun glasses. Use an antibacterial cleanser or wipe on them daily to keep them clear of acne causing oil and bacteria.
#8: Not Moisturizing Your Skin
You skin shouldn’t feel tight after washing it! If it does, it’s been damaged and over dried. Over drying your skin is a common acne mistake, and it can actually lead your skin to produce more oil! After washing, especially after using a salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide wash, consider adding a light hydrating moisturizer. Neutrogena Hydro Boost water gel, which is oil free and won’t clog your pores, is a good one to try. It has face smoothing hyaluronic acid which naturally hydrates your skin.
#9: Not Seeing a Dermatologist
If you’re suffering from acne, it’s important that you see a dermatologist. Don’t fall for the fads. Before you go on YouTube and try the latest viral acne treatment, see a dermatologist! A dermatologist should be able to determine the right acne treatment regimen for you. Also, sometimes acne can be associated with other internal problems, so a dermatologist is always the best place to start!
