From skincare mistakes to diet choices—learn about 8 habits that may be making your acne worse and get tips to help achieve clearer, healthier skin.
Know your skin
Blame it on the hormones or genetics, sometimes acne can be entirely out of your control. And, of course, no one likes to have these tiny troubles on the skin. However, beyond these uncontrollable factors, there are habits that we indulge in unknowingly, which can exacerbate the situation. From daily choices to skincare routines, our everyday behaviours play a significant role in either soothing or aggravating acne. Here are the habits that can worsen your acne.
Skipping your skincare routine can worsen acne by allowing impurities to build up, clogging pores and leading to breakouts. In addition to cleansing, moisturizing, and using targeted acne removal gel, containing essential ingredients like niacinamide and clindamycin, is crucial. These products help fight acne-causing bacteria and reduce inflammation.
Consistency in your skincare routine is key to managing acne effectively. Even on makeup-free days, cleansing your skin is essential to remove oil, sweat, and impurities. Prioritize your skincare routine to maintain clear, healthy skin, and consult a dermatologist for personalized advice if needed.
Cleansing your face is crucial for removing excess oil, sweat, and pollutants that can accumulate on your skin. However, washing your face too frequently or using harsh cleansers can strip away the skin's natural oils, disrupting its protective barrier and leading to dryness, irritation, and even more acne.
Opt for a gentle cleanser suitable for your skin type and limit washing to twice daily, ideally in the morning and evening, to maintain a healthy balance without compromising your skin's integrity.
While it may be tempting to use strong exfoliants or astringents to combat acne, these products can be too harsh for your skin, causing irritation, redness, and inflammation. Abrasive scrubs can create micro-tears in the skin, exacerbating acne and potentially leading to scarring.
Instead, choose skincare products labelled as non-comedogenic, meaning they won't clog pores, and are formulated for acne-prone skin. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which target acne-causing bacteria and promote skin renewal without causing undue irritation.
As tempting as it may be to squeeze or pop pimples, doing so can cause more harm than good. Picking at acne lesions can push bacteria deeper into the skin, leading to further inflammation, infection, and potentially permanent scarring.
Moreover, the pressure exerted during popping can rupture the follicle wall, releasing inflammatory substances into the surrounding skin and worsening acne. Instead, practice patience and allow pimples to heal naturally, or seek professional treatment from a dermatologist.
Leaving makeup on overnight can suffocate your skin, trapping dirt, oil, and bacteria, and leading to clogged pores and breakouts. Additionally, certain makeup products contain ingredients that can further irritate the skin or exacerbate acne.
Make it a habit to remove your makeup thoroughly before bed using a gentle cleanser or makeup remover. Double cleansing, where you first use an oil-based cleanser to dissolve makeup followed by a water-based cleanser to remove impurities, can ensure a thorough clean without stripping the skin.
Your diet can significantly impact your skin health, including the likelihood of developing acne. Foods with a high glycemic index, such as sugary snacks, white bread, and processed foods, can cause spikes in blood sugar levels, leading to increased insulin production and subsequent hormonal fluctuations that can trigger acne breakouts.
Instead, opt for a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, which provide essential nutrients and help stabilize blood sugar levels, supporting clearer, healthier skin.
Chronic stress and anxiety can wreak havoc on your skin by triggering the release of hormones like cortisol, which can stimulate oil production, leading to clogged pores and acne breakouts. Moreover, stress can weaken the skin's immune response, making it more susceptible to inflammation and infection.
To manage stress and support skin health, practice stress-reducing techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing exercises, regular physical activity, and adequate sleep. Taking care of your mental well-being can positively impact your skin and overall quality of life.
Sun exposure can exacerbate acne by causing inflammation and triggering post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots) that linger long after acne lesions have healed. Additionally, some acne medications can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight, making you more prone to sunburn and skin damage.
Therefore, it's essential to protect your skin from harmful UV rays by wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher daily, even on cloudy days. Choose a non-comedogenic sunscreen that won't clog pores and reapply it every two hours when outdoors to maintain adequate protection.
Incorporating positive changes into your skincare routine, diet, lifestyle, and sun protection habits is crucial for managing and improving acne-prone skin. Consistency is key to seeing results, so be patient and allow your skin time to adapt to any new habits or products. Make sure to include Mankind AcneStar gel, which contains niacinamide and clindamycin, in your skincare regimen.
These ingredients work together to combat acne-causing bacteria, reduce inflammation, and promote clearer skin. By actively incorporating these changes, you can take proactive steps towards achieving the clear, healthy complexion you desire.
Disclaimer This blog solely intended for the educational/informational/awareness purposes and is not a substitute for any professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your doctor/healthcare professional before acting on the information provided on the blog. Reliance on any or all information provided in the blog, is solely at your own risk and responsibility. Mankind Pharma Limited shall not be held liable, in any circumstance whatsoever.
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells.
it is absolutely imperative to know its type. Acne can be inflammatory or non-inflammatory which further has different lesions, as mentioned below.
Acne starts occurring in teenagers due to an increase in the level of Androgen production. Androgen is a hormone which signals the body to produce more sebum, the oil produced by the sebaceous glands.
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It often causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples, and usually appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders. Acne is most common among teenagers, though it affects people of all ages.
Debunk acne myths by following a proper skincare regimen. Taking good care of your skin can help you achieve a glowing and acne-free skin.