Trying to avoid acne breakouts for acne prone skin can be very tricky, especially since some acne mistakes are less obvious than the others. Here are 10 common mistakes that may be your lifesaver.
The biggest misconception is that the more you cleanse and exfoliate the skin, the better it is to prevent breakouts. However, the truth is that it not only damages the skin’s barrier, deteriorating the natural oils, it also forces the skin to produce excess sebum which will lead to further acne breakouts.
While it is important to clean your face to remove bacteria, sweat, dirt etc, it is also essential to be careful to not overdo it.
Irrespective of your skin type, moisturising your face should be an essential part of your skin care routine. Skimping of moisturiser can lead to dehydrated skin which will further lead to the production of excess sebum leading to clogged pores resulting in acne breakouts.
Therefore, acne prone skin types as opposed to common misconception should not skip moisturiser fearing greasiness.
You may not realise this but gadgets that you use everyday such as phones, laptops, remotes and spectacles, is a home to a lot of bacteria that can easily transfer to your fingers and to your face. Therefore it is important to clean them after a few uses.
Unprotected exposure of your skin to the sun is the biggest crime that you can do to yourself; it can damage your skin leading to bad breakouts. Sunscreen is not bad for acne prone skin as opposed to false belief. Therefore, apply a 30 spf or more sunscreen, 20 minutes before sun exposure.
Everyone has a unique skin, and skin type tends to change over a long period of time. Your skin demands more attention and care as you grow older. Most often, we tend to stick to the same skin care routine as the one as an adolescent. It is essential to choose the products accordingly.
Although active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, and retinol have magical benefits, overloading your skin with multiple skincare products can detriment your skin and further lead to breakouts. Not every product introduced in the skincare world will work on your acne. Few actives don’t work well together and can risk impairing your skin barrier. Slowly introduce your skin to actives and build accordingly. Therefore don't make the mistake of overloading your skin with too many products.
Succumbing to your urge to pop pimples can lead to further breakouts and acne scars by spreading the bacteria. Inflammation and skin lumps can result from a pimple that isn't quite ready to pop. By doing this, you rip the top layer of skin, which leaves scars and scabs which could be permanent.
It is essential to not touch the face frequently, especially without washing hands. More oil, dirt and germs are secreted onto the skin while doing so. It not spreads bacteria, it also irritates the already inflamed skin.
Be careful of what you use on your hair. Stay away from applying oils, pomades, scents, and gels. They might irritate and obstruct your skin's pores if they land on your face. Make use of a soft shampoo and conditioner. Washing your hair frequently is especially important if you're breaking out since oily hair can amplify the oil on your face.
Sometimes the best medicine for acne scars is to take a chill pill. Stress is a big factor which contributes to acne breakouts.
Most importantly, trust your skin. Sometimes, your skin will tell you when something is wrong. As weird as it sounds, you can feel your skin become too raw or taut or itchy. These should be seen as red flags of your skin care routine or a product that you are using. Know that everyone’s skin is different and whom not to trust more than your own skin
Know that acne and acne scars take time to heal, you need to be patient and consistent enough to get the desired result or to not make too many mistakes.