If you’ve ever suffered from acne in your life, you know the frustration and struggles it causes. Acne includes blemishes of any kind, including pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. Along with these blemishes come redness, irritation, and potential dark spots from blemish extraction attempts. Many people find acne to be a nuisance at the very least and severe cases may drastically affect your self-confidence and interfere with your social life. Although there are several treatment options to target acne, this post will focus on skincare products to avoid if you have acne-prone skin.

ESSENTIAL OILS

Acne development is generally attributed to the blockage of a skin follicle. This occurs if your skin follicles naturally produce more oil, or bacteria and dead skin cells build up in and around your pores. Typically, these breakouts are more likely to happen on your face but can happen anywhere on the body. Since excess oil production contributes to acne development, avoid products either made with essential oils or directly applying the oils to your skin. You may also have a reaction to an essential oil which can exacerbate and further irritate your skin.

SUNSCREEN

Although many sunscreens are now marketed as “non-comedogenic” – meaning that they don’t clog pores – there are other factors to consider. Make sure to check the ingredient list of any sunscreen product, including moisturizers. If you typically break out from standard sunscreen, try an option made with zinc oxide. Many people have found this ingredient to be gentler on the skin than other common ingredients like avobenzone.

MOISTURIZERS

Tempted to avoid moisturizers because you have oily skin? Think again! It’s important to start or continue a moisturizing routine no matter what skin type you have because dry skin can contribute to acne as well. When shopping for a moisturizer, look for products with little or no fragrance and light formulas. 

ABRASIVE PRODUCTS

Breakouts are attributed to product and skin cell buildup in your pores. To effectively manage acne, consistent hygiene is very important. Stick to gentle and basic cleansers rather than ones with lots of ingredients. Keep scrubs and heavy abrasive product use to a minimum. It might seem intuitive to exfoliate and scrub your skin often to get rid of dirt and bacteria, but using these products daily or even several times per week can irritate your skin and cause more blemishes as a result. Keep it simple with basic, gentle cleansers for your face-washing routine.

WHAT NEXT?

Have you tried all of these tips and still find yourself dealing with stubborn acne breakouts? It may be time for specialized treatment. Ascent Laser Aesthetics offers services like Hydrafacial and Botox that target and reduces the appearance of acne and the marks it leaves behind. Call for more information or book a consultation today.