Will Skincare Break Me Out? Avoid The Skincare Mistakes That Cause Acne

Are you put off switching up or starting your skincare routine because you can help but wonder, will skincare break me out?! If so, you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to set things straight on the skincare mistakes that cause acne, so you can start your skincare routine without worry. 

Will Skincare Break Me Out? Girl looking touching a blemish on her face.

Will Skincare Break Me Out?

You’re not without reason to wonder will skincare break me out after starting a new skincare routine or trying a new product. And there’s nothing worse than spending your paycheck on new skincare products only for your skin to end up looking worse.

What’s important is figuring out if these breakouts are your skin purging (more on that soon.) Or if the products are causing your skin to freak out.

You could be reacting to an ingredient in the skincare product that your skin doesn’t agree with. Telltale signs for this are if your skin is red and irritated after applying the product. And if the acne or irritation continues for weeks after. In which case, you should stop using the product right away as it’s likely a skin reaction. 

However, these breakouts could be your skin purging. It sounds a little scary, but purging is basically a detox for your skin. 

When you start using new skincare products with active ingredients, it will cause your skin to increase its cell turnover. That means any backed-up bacteria and breakouts may come to the surface of your skin.

But don’t freak out – it’s a good thing! After your skin has purged the clogged pores and bacteria, it will reveal fresh, glowing skin. Yay!

Will Skincare Break Me Out? What Ingredients Should I Avoid?

While purging is something we can’t avoid, we can ensure our skin doesn’t react by avoiding irritating ingredients.

To keep your skin clear and happy, avoid these known irritating ingredients prone to causing allergic reactions.

Fragrance – Stay away from any products with the ingredients “fragrance” or “parfum” as they can be extremely irritating for those with sensitive skin.

Essential Oils – Essential oils can be great for our skin and hair but in small amounts. Look out for products with essential oil concentrations of over 1%, as they’re prone to causing skin rashes. 

Preservatives – Look out for the following preservatives and avoid them as best you can. Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, and Formaldehyde.

Color Additives and Dyes – Avoid the ingredients “p-phenylenediamine” and “Coal-tar” as they can be very harmful when used on the skin. 

The Skincare Mistakes That Cause Acne

To make the most out of your skincare, make sure you avoid these common skincare mistakes that cause acne. 

Sleeping With Makeup On

I get it – the last thing you want to do after a long night is remove your makeup. But for the sake of your skin, make sure you take off your makeup every night to avoid clogged pores, inflammation, and acne!

Use a good cleansing balm to melt off your beauty products, then follow up with your favorite cleanser.

Not Wearing Sunscreen Everyday

And yes, that includes cloudy, rainy days too. Not only can sunscreen protect your skin from UV rays, but it can also help prevent acne.

Too much sun can dry out your skin which causes it to increase oil production rapidly. That can lead to oily skin, clogged pores, and breakouts. So make sure you use a really good sunscreen daily. 

Girl applying Waterproof Sunscreen to protect her skin this summer.

Touching Your Face

As satisfying as it may be, try to avoid popping pimples and touching your face at all. Most of the time, when you pop a pimple, it ends up leading to an even bigger blemish that takes even longer to heal!

So if you notice a zit, pop a pimple patch over it to speed up healing time. AND to stop yourself from being tempted to touch it. And FYI, remember to clean your phone regularly. All that bacteria transfers to your face every time you take a call! 

Using Products That Aren’t Suited For Your Skin Type

If you have oily skin and use a moisturizer that’s too thick, it will only make the problem worse. The same goes for dry skin. If you use a product that doesn’t offer enough hydration, it will only cause your skin to dry out even more.

Look out for products that are formulated specifically for your skin type. Those with dry skin will love the hydration this CeraVe Cream provides. And for those with oily skin, this Invisible Finish Gel Moisturizer provides a light finish your skin will adore.

Our Favorite Skincare Ingredients For Clear Skin

Now you know what ingredients you should absolutely stay away from, you’re probably wondering what good-for-you ingredients to shop for.

We’ve got you! Here are the tried and true best skincare ingredients that promote clear, healthy, and happy skin. 

Hyaluronic Acid

If you have dry, dehydrated skin, you need a bottle of hyaluronic acid on your skincare shelf. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant which means it draws in moisture from the air to your skin. It’s able to hold up to 1000x times its molecule size in water! Since hyaluronic acid delivers hydration to the skin, it can help with facial firmness, providing a youthful appearance. 

We recommend: Naturium Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Niacinamide

Those dealing with acne will want to snap up a bottle of niacinamide right away. Its anti-inflammatory properties regulate the amount of acne-causing oils in the skin while calming swelling and redness. After using this powerful ingredient on your skin, you’ll likely see fewer blemishes and improved skin texture.

We recommend: Paula’s Choice BOOST 10% Niacinamide Booster

Vitamin C

One of our favorite skincare ingredients, vitamin C can truly transform the skin! Vitamin C boosts the production of collagen and elastin, which firm and plump the skin. It also works to calm irritation, fade acne scars and dark spots, minimize pores, and prevent hyperpigmentation. 

We recommend: DEAR KLAIRS Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop

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