Are Your Skincare Products Causing More Acne?

Washing acne-prone skin plays a big part in maintaining its health and happiness, but if you’re using products that don’t work with your particular skin or acne type, those twice-daily reprieves may be doing more harm than good.

When most people notice acne symptoms such as pimples or blackheads, they naturally reach for a medicated facial wash marketed to “fight” acne. When considering a cleanser for acne-prone skin, it’s important to remember that the things we choose to treat our body’s largest organ, the skin, can yield differing results from person to person. Many acne-fighting topical treatments are intended to zap any of that excess oil created by the sebaceous glands. This oil is called sebum, and plays a necessary part in maintaining healthy skin by protecting and hydrating the complexion, keeping skin looking youthful and supple.

While too much oil can lead to clogged pores, sebum is actually good for your skin, and plays an important role in keeping it healthy. Sebum essentially works like a waterproof shield once it reaches the surface of the skin, keeping too much water from getting in, while trapping and preventing necessary moisture from getting out. It is able to create this protective barrier because it is made up of fats, or lipids, which do not dissolve in water. While keeping our oil levels in check is important, it’s equally imperative we not over-dry, as that can not only lead to more breakouts, but advanced signs of aging as well. Finding a skincare product that won’t overdry is essential in maintaining a healthy complexion.

What you should and shouldn’t use

Because everyone’s skin, and the severity of its acne symptoms, varies from person to person, it’s hard to say exactly what to avoid, which is why it's important to get to know your skin and be mindful of how certain ingredients affect your complexion. A good rule of thumb is to lean toward products labeled non-comedogenic (especially makeup and moisturizers,) and items that are oil-free. In terms of what to avoid, keep these three ingredients in mind when reading those labels:

Alcohol. This is a tough one to avoid in a lot of acne cleansers but an important one to be aware of, as it can dry your skin to look ahead of its time. When researching your topical skin care treatment, keep a special eye out for ethanol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl, and ethyl alcohol, and do your best to steer clear - your skin will thank you for it!

Mineral oil. A common ingredient found in many topical acne washes and creams, mineral oil is derived from petroleum, and can lead to clogged pores, which may result in acne. This alone can lead to inflammation, irritation and/or redness, which can result in fine lines.

Sulfates. Another ingredient commonly found in hygienic and cosmetic products is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, or SLS. During the manufacturing process, SLS is contaminated with a carcinogenic byproduct, and can irritate the skin and eyes. Toxic to body organs, sulfates can be linked to cell mutations and cancer, as well as increased dryness, which can result in fine lines and wrinkles over time. Many shampoos and conditioners contain sulfates, which tend to over-dry the scalp, leading to flakes, and may trigger an overproduction of oil.

The last thing we want to do when treating acne is to create even more problems for our skin, and because topical treatments don’t even address the root cause, it hardly seems worth the risk of advanced symptoms of aging just for temporary relief. Our AcnEase® users are lucky to have total peace of mind and the opportunity to get the best complexion possible because they are on a treatment that actively works from the inside 24/7 to get rid of their acne naturally. The herbal ingredients used works to effectively create a barrier between the hormones and the sebaceous glands, resulting in zero side effects, and a gentle treatment that delivers real, long-lasting results, regardless of the severity of symptoms. You can save yourself some serious time and money, and your skin from further damage down the line!

We want to hear from you! Are there certain skin care ingredients that have caused you to break out? Is there anything that works especially well for you? Tell us in the comments!