We know that acne can be hard to manage and discouraging to experience. And despite common belief, even when you take excellent care of your skin, you can still suffer from acne. Even if you think you are doing everything right, your acne can keep showing up.
It’s common to wonder if there is anything more you could be doing to help clear up your skin. Aside from an impeccable skincare routine, there are other factors that can contribute to or worsen your acne. You may be surprised to find out the mistakes you might be making that can trigger your acne.
What Causes Acne
Acne has many causes. While acne is more common during the teenage and young adult years, millions of people get acne at any age. Despite age, the causes are the same and include excess oil, hormones, and bacteria.
Common Acne Mistakes
Some environmental factors can also contribute to acne breakouts. This leads us to the common mistakes you could be making that make your acne worse.
Avoiding Moisturizer
Your instinct may be to avoid moisturizer on acne-prone skin or on a breakout. But this would be a mistake. Moisturizer calms the skin and can actually help reduce sebum production, potentially helping to improve your acne. In addition, many acne treatments and cleansers can dry out skin. Using a moisturizer is essential to replenish the skin. Look for an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer designed not to clog pores.
Skipping Sunscreen
Similar to moisturizers, many patients avoid sunscreen because they believe it will worsen. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. Sunburned skin can mean clogged pores and trigger excess oil production. In addition, UV rays increase hyperpigmentation, potentially worsening acne scars.
Using a Dirty Phone
We carry our phones everywhere, put them down on various surfaces throughout the day, and touch the screens without washing our hands all day long. This means our phones are home to unthinkable amounts of dirt and bacteria.
What’s worse is that we rarely clean them. Check with your phone manufacturer for the safest way to clean the screen, but generally speaking, using a glass cleaner or screen cleaning wipe on a daily basis will seriously cut down on the grime your phone collects throughout the day.
Changing Linens Enough
Think about it this way: our faces spend 7-8 hours every day touching the pillowcase. If you aren’t cleaning your linens regularly, you could be doing your skin a disservice. Wash your bedding at least once a week, and wash your face before bed each night.
Not Taking Your Vitamins
Eating a healthy diet can go a long way when it comes to the health of your skin. But sometimes, we don’t get all of the nutrients we need in our food. Ask your trusted skincare expert what vitamins they recommend. Two popular choices that have the potential to improve acne are zinc and vitamin C.
Not Seeking Professional Treatment
This may be the biggest acne mistake you are making. Unfortunately, many acne sufferers go it alone for far too long. If DIY and over-the-counter treatments have left you disappointed with your results, it is time to seek professional support and guidance for your acne care.
You may be surprised to learn that there are a variety of treatments for acne. Skincare products are not the only solutions out there. As experts in acne care and the treatment of acne scars, we offer several options, including:
- Dermatology & Prescription Medications
- Chemical Peels
- Facials
- Microdermabrasion
- Laser Skin Resurfacing
- Dermaplaning
Contact our office today to find out more about our comprehensive approach to acne care and management.