Written By Taiwo Kazeem
Can Skincare Cause Acne? Habits That Can Cause Acne
Skincare is meant to prevent acne or at least not exacerbate it. So, if you find yourself asking if Skincare can cause acne, it must mean that something is wrong.
However, the answer to your question is yes, skincare can cause acne but not in the way that you think. Skincare can cause acne when you use the wrong products or use the right products in the wrong way.
In this article, we’ll explore 12 skincare habits that can cause acne and the difference between skin purging and breakouts.
12 Skin Care Habits That Can Cause Acne
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions affecting about 85% of the population at different points in time.
If you are still having pesky breakouts on your face even after religiously following your routines and regimen. It might be because of two things:
- Your skin doesn’t care about your skincare (continue reading to find out why)
- Your lifestyle choices might be too much for your skin to handle.
This is because certain skincare and lifestyle habits can unknowingly trigger or worsen acne. Below, we’ll explore common culprits, how they impact your skin, and what you can do to manage or prevent breakouts.
Frequently Changing Products
We know that acne can be really frustrating, tempting you to frequently switch to the latest products that people swear by. However, this can be damaging for your skin because your skin has little time to acclimatize to one product before moving on to another one. Ideally, you should give your skin 2-3 months before moving on to another product (that is if you must).
Treating only your acne
While it is understandable to want to treat only the affected area, doing that may cause breakouts in other areas. The skin is one big, connected entity, far from being isolated so it is best to apply your acne treatments over every bit of skin that surrounds the affected area.
This prevents breakouts and treats possible underlying issues. Whilst doing this, pay special attention to acne-prone areas like the forehead, jawline, nose and cheeks to prevent new breakouts.
Moisturize
Some people believe that the solution to acne-prone skin is keeping the skin absolutely dry. However, this is counterproductive and increases chances of a breakout due to the irritation from dryness. Furthermore, when your skin lacks moisture, it prompts the skin to overcompensate with more sebum production leading to acne.
For hydration, you should use a moisturizer designed for acne-prone skin. Apply twice daily and avoid products containing alcohol.
Using acne-causing products
You might not know it, but some makeup, skincare and even hair care products can induce acne from. Oil is one of the major causes of acne and products containing oil can increase sebum production worsening already present acne.
Another concern is using products that contain harsh and drying ingredients like fragrances, alcohol, and exfoliating components. These ingredients dry out the skin and cause irritation while exfoliants erode the skin’s barrier leaving it vulnerable.
To avoid this, check product composition and do the following:
As always, conduct a patch test before trying out new products even though these ingredients are generally safe for all skin types, especially acne-prone skin.
- Choose non-comedogenic products to prevent clogged pores
- Go for water-based products (if relevant),
- Pick fragrance-free products if you are fragrance-sensitive or unsure about your sensitivity.
- Look for products with acne-fighting ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid
Over-Exfoliation
Exfoliation is a vital step in any skincare routine but should not be a daily one. This is because it erodes the skin’s barrier, makes it vulnerable to irritation and strips the skin of natural oils. Limit exfoliation to once or twice a week and go for mild products that contain AHAs and BHAs.
Using the Wrong Products
It is one thing to get the right products and another to get the right one for your skin. Skincare is a personal journey, and a product working for others doesn’t mean it will work for you, particularly if it’s not formulated for your skin.
There are four major skin types – dry, oily, combination and sensitive. Each one of them has products formulated to them so you shouldn't use oily skin products for dry skin or vice versa. If you are guilty of this, it might be the reason your acne is flaring up.
To resolve this, first determine your skin type and get the appropriate products. For oily skin, go for non-comedogenic products, for dry skin go for hydrating products, and for sensitive skin go for mild, fragrance and alcohol-free products.
Overwashing your face
I know you must be thinking damned if you do and damned if you don’t. But you know what they say about too much of everything being bad? It applies to washing your face too. If you are the type to wash your face at any slight speck of dirt or layer of sweat, you might want to put a stop to it. Excessive washing can strip your skin of natural oils, damage the skin’s barrier, and cause breakouts. Stripping your skin of natural oils also leads to the overproduction of sebum to compensate for the shortage.
Instead, limit washing to twice a day (morning and night). But if the situation calls for it, you can wash more often. Just use a non-comedogenic cleanser or one suited to your skin type.
Makeup
This part is divided into 3 categories.
The first is using dirty makeup tools.
Your makeup tools can be breeding grounds for acne-causing dirt and bacteria. So much so that every time you use these products and tools, you transfer already festering impurities to your skin.
And while the thought of washing your tools all the time is dreadful; you can do it routinely after 3 – 5 uses or depending on the frequency of use. After washing, ensure that it is completely dry because partially dried brushes and tools can also cause mould and mildew growth, introducing additional irritants to your skin.
The second is sharing makeup products and tools.
Every skin is different, as such makeup products and tools should be deeply personal. While acne isn’t contagious, sharing makeup products and tools could mean that impurities and dead skin cells from others may wind up on your face. This can clog pores and lead to breakouts or blemishes.
Three is sleeping in your makeup.
I know that we have all been tempted to sleep in our makeup for various reasons – could be that it was too nice to clean off, too expensive to wash off or simply because you were just too tired. Regardless of the reason, we absolutely do not recommend it.
A good skincare routine, non-comedogenic products, regular washing and not sharing tools will not save you from breakouts in this case. So, while your makeup might be flawless, the money pocket tearing, or exhaustion weighing down on you; it is not worth it. Always remove your makeup before bed and properly too, double cleansing and all. Otherwise, you could end up with clogged pores, blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, inflammation, or irritation.
Proper hygiene after and during a workout
Sweating during a workout can be annoying especially if sweat keeps getting into your eyes. You might be tempted to rub it dry, but this is a bad idea and can lead to irritation and breakouts. Instead, you should gently pat dry with a clean towel.
This after-work out care is not only limited to your face but also applies to your body. Change out of sweat-soaked workout clothes as soon as you can as sweat and heat from a workout create the perfect environment for bacteria and acne to fester. Wash both your body and the workout gear.
Popping pimples and breakouts.
It can be very tempting to pop your pimples. And while this will offer you immense satisfaction, it is not ideal and may lead to many regrets. Doing this will cause impurities to further dig into your skin (from the exposed area) causing inflammation and irritation. The released bacteria may also spread to other parts of your skin causing scarring and pain.
Use dedicated treatments like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide to manage pimples or consult a dermatologist for more severe cases.
Constantly touching your Face.
It can be very tempting to touch your face but remember that your face is sensitive, and your hands aren’t always the cleanest (due to how busy they are). Constantly touching your face transfers bacteria to your face, clogs pores and increases the chances of acne. Reduce how often you touch your face and constantly wash your hands.
Lifestyle and Diet
Skincare is not only about what you apply to your skin but also how you care for your skin from the inside.
What you ingest can affect your skin just as much as your topical products. Foods with high glycemic index can spike insulin and lead to increased sebum production while dairy products and processed foods could cause inflammation. Alternatively, you should go for fruits, reduce sugar intake, sleep well, manage stress levels and drink lots of water.
In terms of lifestyle, stress and lack of proper sleep can lead to hormonal imbalance from raised cortisol levels which may exacerbate acne.
- Phone screens can be a breeding ground for bacteria and putting it on your face can contribute to acne issues. Clean your phone’s screen regularly with an alcohol-based cleanser or use earphones or speakers during calls to avoid direct contact with your face.
- Change your pillowcases often, ideally once a week.
- Go for silk pillowcases.
- Limit exposure to the sun, use sunscreen and avoid going out during peak hours. Use a non-comedogenic sunscreen of at least 30 SPF.
Skin Purging
Skin purging is an increase in the skin’s breakouts in a short period. This usually happens after using a new exfoliating product containing ingredients like retinoids, peels, salicylic acid, AHAs, BHAs and Benzoyl peroxide. These ingredients speed up the cell turnover process and unclog the pores a little bit faster leading to breakouts like whiteheads, blackheads, oily skin, and bumps.
When your skin purges, do not overhaul products out of panic. Skin purging just means that your products are working the way they should, bringing all the underlying gunk to the surface. All you must do is follow a simple routine – cleanse, moisturize, tone and SPF and avoid popping your pimples. In 4-6 weeks, your skin should be normal.
How to Differentiate Skin Purging vs Acne Breakouts
Skin purging and acne breakouts can look alike, but knowing the difference is key to treating them effectively. Identifying which one you're experiencing will help you choose the right approach for clearer, healthier skin.
Skin Purging | Acne Breakouts |
Happens in the breakout area | Happens in random areas |
Resolve on their own/short-lived | Typically, do not resolve on their own and can be recurring. |
Occurs at the beginning of using an exfoliating product | Can occur at any time as a reaction to any product or hormonal imbalance |
Usually limited to whiteheads and blackheads. | Can include pustules, nodules, cysts |
How Long Does Skin Purging Last
Skin purging doesn’t last long. Most times it occurs at the end of a full skin cycle, which takes 28 to 40 days or 4 to 6 weeks. During this time, skin purging will typically clear up within the first two weeks.
Everyone, however, is different, and you may find yours lasting much longer. If it lasts beyond 6 weeks, it is best to consult your dermatologist. Once the purging phase is over, the skin starts to clear, and the result is like a rainbow after a night of rain.
Final Thoughts
Managing acne is not only about finding the right products but also finding the right products for you. It involves caring for your skin internally and externally and modifying your lifestyle for optimal effects. Furthermore, when you experience skin purging, be calm and trust that you will come out on the other side even better for it. If all of this still doesn’t work, consult your dermatologist. Good luck with your journey!