People dealing with acne are being reminded that certain everyday habits can actually make breakouts worse — and cutting them out may help improve skin.
Acne is extremely common, with estimates suggesting around 50 million Americans experience it. And it isn’t limited to teenagers — figures from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) indicate that 15 percent of adult women are affected too.
There are multiple kinds of acne, and it can show up in several places. The Mayo Clinic notes that blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples often appear on the face, forehead, chest, upper back, and shoulders.
Because acne is so widespread — particularly during adolescence — the AAD has highlighted guidance on what to do, and what to avoid if you’re trying to get flare-ups under control.
One of the biggest mistakes is switching acne treatments too frequently. Trying something new every week can irritate skin and make the situation worse, so the advice is to stick with a product for six to eight weeks to see whether it’s actually helping.
Another common issue is only putting treatment directly on visible pimples. “It makes sense to treat what you see, but this approach fails to prevent new breakouts,” the AAD says.
Instead, the recommendation is to use a thin, even layer across the entire acne-prone area, which helps treat existing blemishes while also reducing the chance of new ones forming.
Makeup can also play a role, especially if you’re using oil-based products that can contribute to clogged pores. With that in mind, the AAD advises: “Use only makeup, sunscreen, skin, and hair-care products that are labeled ‘non-comedogenic’ or ‘won’t clog pores’.”
“These products don’t cause breakouts in most people,” it adds.
It’s also a bad idea to fall asleep without removing makeup. Even if it’s labeled non-comedogenic, leaving it on overnight can still trigger breakouts.
On the other hand, over-washing can be just as unhelpful. Washing your face repeatedly throughout the day may strip and irritate the skin, which can lead to even more acne.
Instead, the general guidance is to wash your face only twice daily — once in the morning and once before bed.
If your skin is oily, it can feel logical to use harsh products to “dry it out,” such as strong astringents or heavy acne treatments. But overly dry skin is often irritated skin — and irritation can fuel breakouts.
“Use acne treatments as directed. If your skin feels dry, apply a moisturizer made for acne-prone skin,” the AAD states.
“You’ll want to apply the moisturizer twice a day, after washing your face. You also want to avoid using astringents, rubbing alcohol, and anything else that can dry out your skin.”
Similarly, scrubbing your face too aggressively won’t “clean” acne away — it can inflame the skin and make spots angrier.
The pattern is fairly consistent: irritation tends to make acne harder to manage.
Sweat can also contribute if it’s rubbed into the skin. After exercise or any sweaty activity, it’s better to use a clean towel and gently pat the sweat away rather than rubbing.
Finally, avoid squeezing or picking at spots.
As satisfying as it might seem, popping pimples can worsen inflammation and increase the risk of scarring.
The AAD says: “Resist the temptation to pop or squeeze acne. You want to treat your acne with acne medication. If you have deep or painful acne, seeing a dermatologist is necessary to help clear your acne.”