Faithfully following a skincare routine can help keep your skin looking smooth and clear. However, some individuals may be following skincare practices, using recommended products, and washing their face at night while still experiencing breakouts. Even if you think you are utilizing the best products, they could be to blame for your acne. Skincare mistakes can cause further breakouts or skin irritation. Here are some skincare mistakes that could be causing breakouts.
Overwashing or Overexfoliating
One of the biggest skincare mistakes you can make is to overwash your face or overexfoliate other skin on your body. Overexfoliation can trigger excess oil production, which leads to clogged pores and breakouts. Washing multiple times a day or scrubbing your skin will cause irritation that leads to further breakouts across your skin. It is best to wash your face twice a day, or after an intense workout.
Only Applying Acne Medication To Your Blemishes
It makes the most sense to apply acne treatments to your current breakouts, but you should be applying them to the acne-prone area. Preventing new blemishes is only possible if you are using the medication over the entire area. Using a thin layer of the medication over the entire area will reduce your current breakouts while preventing them from spreading to other areas.
Sharing Makeup Or Brushes With Others
Sharing makeup products with other people can be extremely harmful to your skin. Sharing sponges, brushes, or mascara wands will spread bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells to your skin. While acne isn’t necessarily contagious, the bacteria and oil build-up will clog your pores, leading to breakouts. If you need to share makeup, skincare, or brushes with others, make sure to clean them thoroughly before using them again or get new products.
Letting Your Skin Dry Out
While acne-prone skin is often oily, allowing your face to become dry is just as bad as oil. It can be tempting to dry out your skin to prevent breakouts, but irritated skin can be just as acne-prone as those with an oily skin type. Those with frequent breakouts should use a moisturizer made for acne-prone skin to keep their skin moisturized. Twice a day moisturizer is recommended for all skin types. You should also avoid the mistake of using rubbing alcohol, astringents, or any other ingredient that could dry out your skin.
Popping Breakouts
Squeezing pimples is tempting for many who experience acne, but it is one of the biggest skincare mistakes you could make. When you pop breakouts, you’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg. Popping pimples can push bacteria into the skin or spread them to the surrounding skin. Popping breakouts increases the risk of infection, scarring, and longer healing time. It is best to leave pimple extraction to the professionals. You can use spot treatment medications to reduce swelling and redness.
Skipping SPF
Some individuals avoid using sun protection because it can clog their pores, however, sun-damaged skin can become irritated and lead to further breakouts. Even when indoors or during the winter, sunscreen can help prolong the life of your skin. Sun exposure can cause inflammation and make acne scars look more intense. Using sunscreen will help protect you from skin cancer, irritation, and further breakouts.
Neglecting Your Pillowcases
Pillowcases and phones are some of the common contributors to acne because they hold onto makeup and bacteria. Neglecting to wash pillowcases or clean the screen of your phone could be a habit that contributes to your acne. Washing pillowcases, blankets, or sheets at least once a week will limit the transfer of bacteria. Clean phone screens and phone cases frequently to prevent the spread of germs.
Learning From The Experts At The Skin Institute
The Skin Institute offers high-quality education for our students to help prepare them to work in a variety of applications. Our educators want our estheticians to be able to work in any spa, salon, or medical spa.
We prepare every student to put their best foot forward in the professional space and make a great career for themselves. If you want to learn more about skincare, makeup application, relaxation, waxing, or massage, The Skin Institute can help. Our school is well known in the state of Utah, so any student who studies with our team will be welcomed in an aesthetic job. Reach out to our team to learn more about our training and cohorts.
