There are numerous articles, tips, tricks and tutorials to help deal with acne prone skin, but no one talks about the mistakes one tends to make with such skin type.
While dealing with acne may be a tiresome process, and it can also cause embarrassment to some, and some of your skincare routine habits may actually be worsening the case.
Acne needs to be kept under control, but some habits may be leading you to even more breakouts, and you may not understand why your skin isn't zit-free.
Here are a few common mistakes to avoid for acne prone skin, and what you should be doing instead in your acne skincare routine for flawless and smooth skin.
#1 SQUEEZING PIMPLES
One may tend to squeeze pimples as a rather odd tutorial may have suggested that to you, but it is the worst thing you can do to you skin. Squeezing and picking on pimples can leave you with scarred skin and spread germs and infections. The rule is to never ever squeeze pimples and not even touch them unless you are cleansing or apply medication or moisturizer.
#2 SKIPPING MOISTURIZER FOR OILY SKIN
Acne prone skin is usually oily, and that leads you to believe that your skin does not need moisturizer which is a huge myth! Skipping moisturizer, especially if you have acne prone skin, creates redness and dryness, and all cleansing routines do dry out your skin, so a moisturizer for acne prone skin must be a part of your skincare routine.
#3 OVER-SCRUBBING & HARSH CLEANSING
If you have acne prone skin, you may end up thinking that you can scrub the acne away which is a gigantic mistake! Acne is not like dry skin that you can rub off, but it needs gentle love and care. Using harsh products and over scrubbing can make your skin's condition worse, develop dryness and leave scars too. Products for acne prone skin need to be as gentle as possible, and never in a million years should you try to be rough with your skin. Treat it like a baby!
#5 AVOIDING SUNBLOCK
You may avoid sunscreens as you had been avoiding moisturizers so as to not make the skin oilier, but not using a sunscreen is also a big no-no. Even acne prone skin needs a gentle dab of sunblock, and though a sunburn can for the time being dry-out pimples, as a result of over-drying it can lead to more breakouts and troublesome skin. Using a sunscreen helps keep wrinkles and fine lines at bay, and be sure to use one that does not have any ingredients that worsen up acne.
#6 USING MEDICATION ONLY ON SPOTS
More and more people tend to use acne medication only on the pimples and zits, but they do not know that is a huge mistake! Acne is bacteria, and bacteria spreads if not dealt with properly. To prevent zits from spreading, the correct way is to apply a thin layer of doctor's prescribed medication all over the area. This will not only deal with the existing acne, but will also help it to not spread.
#7 OVER-DRYING SKIN
Spending too much time in the shower can dry out skin, which leads to an even worse breakout situation. Your daily shower routine should never exceed 15 minutes and always use a gentle cleanser or bodywash to keep the skin well-moisturized and supple. Similarly for the face, use gentle and mild products and always be careful to rinse them off well, as if you won't it will end up irritating your skin even more.