You’re doing your skincare. You’re cleansing your face. You may even be using acne products.
So why do the breakouts keep coming back?
Acne is a complex skin condition, and there isn’t one habit or product responsible for every breakout. But some everyday skincare behaviors can irritate acne-prone skin or make existing breakouts harder to manage. Here are seven worth checking.
1. Washing your face too aggressively
When your skin feels oily, washing it repeatedly can seem like the obvious solution. But more cleansing isn’t necessarily better.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends gently washing acne-prone skin up to twice a day and after sweating. Scrubbing with rough washcloths, sponges, or abrasive products can irritate the skin. AAD
Use a gentle cleanser and your fingertips instead.
2. Picking or popping pimples
It’s tempting—especially when a pimple is noticeable—but squeezing acne can make it take longer to clear.
Picking and popping also increases the risk of scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the flat dark marks that can remain after acne heals.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for a pimple is leave it alone.
3. Constantly changing your acne products
A product doesn’t transform your skin in three days, and switching treatments every time a new breakout appears may cause additional irritation.
Acne treatment generally requires patience. The AAD notes that improvement can take several weeks to a few months.
Consistency often matters more than having a bathroom shelf full of products.
4. Using harsh products because your skin is oily
Oily skin doesn’t automatically need aggressive treatment.
Strong astringents, harsh exfoliation, and irritating products can dry and irritate acne-prone skin. Gentle, non-comedogenic products are usually a better foundation for an acne-friendly routine.
More powerful doesn’t always mean more effective.
5. Forgetting about your hair
If you have oily hair, some of that oil can reach your forehead and contribute to breakouts in that area.
Keeping oily hair clean and away from the face may help if forehead acne is a recurring problem.
Sometimes the problem isn’t another face product—it’s something repeatedly contacting your skin.
6. Ignoring sun protection
Trying to “dry out” acne in the sun isn’t a good treatment strategy.
Sun and tanning can damage the skin, while some acne treatments can increase sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. The AAD recommends broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30+ protection and suggests looking for a non-comedogenic sunscreen if you have acne-prone skin. AAD
Sun protection is also particularly important when you’re dealing with dark marks left by acne. AAD
7. Focusing on dark spots but ignoring active acne
Those brown, red, or purple marks left behind after pimples can sometimes be more frustrating than the original breakout.
But if acne continues to develop, new marks can continue appearing.
Flat pigmented marks after acne are often post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) rather than permanent scars, and many gradually fade. Treating the underlying acne is therefore an important part of preventing new marks. AAD
The takeaway
Healthy acne care doesn’t have to mean a complicated 10-step routine.
A gentle cleanser, appropriate acne treatment, moisturizer when needed, sun protection, and consistency can form a much better foundation than repeatedly attacking your skin with new products.
And remember: acne has different causes and different severities. If it is persistent, painful, leaving scars or dark marks, or isn’t improving with appropriate over-the-counter care, consider seeing a dermatologist for an individualized diagnosis and treatment plan. AAD
DermTalk — Skin education made simple.
