Dealing with acne often feels defeating, discouraging, and painstakingly painful. Odds are you’ve tried everything under the sun, but your acne is stronger than life. As you read this, you probably have five to ten acne-fighting products on your skincare cabinet. Well, what if I told you maybe that’s the culprit of your persistent acne?
Yes, I’ll give you a moment.
Acne is a very complex skin condition. Pinpointing the root cause of it can take time. So be patient.
One place to start looking? Your current skincare routine. Let’s talk a bit more about why. Shall we?
Common Acne-Triggering Ingredients
Many of us unknowingly use products that contain ingredients that can exacerbate or even cause acne. Let’s take a closer look at some common offenders that might be lurking in your skincare products.
- Coconut Oil. Despite its popularity for its moisturizing benefits, coconut oil is highly comedogenic, which means it can clog your pores and exacerbate acne, especially if you have oily skin.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). This common ingredient in cleansers can strip your skin of natural oils, causing your skin to overcompensate with increased oil production that can clog pores and lead to more breakouts.
- Silicones (e.g., Dimethicone, Methicone). Silicones form a barrier on the skin that can trap bacteria, sebum, and dead skin cells beneath it. This trapping can increase acne, especially if your skin is prone to breakouts.
- Isopropyl Myristate. Found in many skincare products to enhance texture and absorption, this ingredient is also highly comedogenic. It can easily clog pores and is a frequent culprit in causing acne flare-ups.
- Artificial Fragrance. Fragrance can irritate and inflame your skin, leading to redness and acne. It’s one of the most common skin irritants, especially in those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Other Ingredients to Consider
Here’s a list to keep in mind when evaluating your skincare products:
- Lanolin
- Petroleum Jelly
- Artificial Dyes and Colorants
- Mineral Oil
- Butyl Stearate
- Parabens
- Propylene Glycol
- Algae Extract
- Bismuth Oxychloride
Each of these ingredients can irritate your skin or exacerbate acne. Whether it clogs your pores, irritates your skin, or disrupts your natural oil balance, it’s important to know what’s in your products.
BUT REMEMBER: Everyone’s skin is unique. What may cause breakouts in one person might not in another. Introducing new products slowly and monitoring how your skin reacts is best.
How to Check Your Skincare Routine Against Pore-Clogging Ingredients
Take inventory of the current skincare products in your routine and:
- Check Ingredients. Always read the labels on your skincare products. Look for any acne-causing ingredients listed earlier, like certain oils, alcohols, and silicones. Prefer products labeled “non-comedogenic,” specifically formulated not to clog pores.
- Patch Test New Products. Before fully integrating a new product into your routine, do a patch test by applying a small amount to your skin (typically on the lower jaw) to see if it causes irritation or breakouts.
- Monitor Your Skin’s Response. Monitor your skin’s response after starting new products or changing your routine. Increases in breakouts, irritation, or other changes in your skin’s condition can indicate that a product is unsuitable for your skin type.
- Simplify Your Routine. Sometimes, less is more. If you’re experiencing ongoing skin issues, try simplifying your routine by reducing the number of products you use daily. This can help you identify which products are genuinely beneficial for your skin.
Check Your Ingredients
Enter the ingredients separated by commas:
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Join our ClearSkin Co-op and beat acne in 90 days. With FaceReality products and a plan made just for you, clear, confident skin is within reach. Let’s tackle this together.
your most common acne/skincare questions
Not necessarily. While the ingredients listed are known to be problematic for many people with acne-prone skin, everyone’s skin is unique. Some individuals might not experience any negative effects from these ingredients, while others might find them highly problematic. It’s important to understand your skin type and how it reacts to different substances.
Check the product label for the list of ingredients. Most skincare products will have them listed in descending order based on concentration. Familiarize yourself with the names of common problematic ingredients, such as those mentioned in our list, so you can spot them quickly.
If you suspect a product is causing breakouts, stop using it temporarily and see if your skin condition improves. It’s often helpful to reintroduce the product once your skin has cleared up to confirm whether it is indeed the culprit. If breakouts reoccur, you might want to eliminate the product from your routine permanently.
Yes, there are many non-comedogenic alternatives that are less likely to clog pores or cause acne. For example, instead of coconut oil, you can look for lighter oils like jojoba or argan oil. Opt for sulfate-free cleansers and silicone-free serums and moisturizers. Always look for products that are specifically formulated for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
It’s recommended to test a new skincare product for at least 4 to 6 weeks unless you experience immediate irritation or breakouts. This timeframe allows your skin to go through a full cycle of cell turnover, which can reveal whether a product is compatible with your skin or causing problems.
ready to transform your skin and your life?
Begin your journey to clear skin now. With the ClearSkin Co-op, you gain more than clear skin—you find confidence. Let’s take this step toward lasting change together.