06/18/2026
Your skincare might be causing the acne you’re trying to treat.
Here are 8 ways the wrong products can make breakouts worse:
1. Closed comedones + pore-clogging ingredients = more congestion
Ingredients like algae extracts, ethylhexyl palmitate, isopropyl myristate, and certain coconut derivatives can contribute to microcomedone formation in acne-prone skin.
2. Drying out acne can increase oil production
When skin becomes excessively dry, it often compensates by producing more sebum. More oil + dead skin buildup = a better environment for clogged pores.
3. An impaired skin barrier creates more inflammation
Overusing exfoliants, retinoids, scrubs, or acne treatments can damage the barrier, increasing redness, sensitivity, and inflammatory breakouts.
4. Not all acne needs salicylic acid
Inflamed, irritated acne may benefit more from barrier repair and inflammation control before additional exfoliation is introduced.
5. Stripping cleansers can slow healing
A cleanser that leaves your skin feeling tight may be removing too much of the skin’s natural lipid layer, making barrier recovery more difficult.
6. More active ingredients ≠ better results
Layering benzoyl peroxide, acids, retinoids, spot treatments, and exfoliants can create chronic irritation that mimics or worsens acne.
7. Dehydrated skin sheds dead skin cells less efficiently
When skin lacks water, dead cells can accumulate around the follicle opening, increasing the likelihood of congestion and whiteheads.
8. Acne isn’t always caused by bacteria
Many breakouts begin with excess sebum, abnormal shedding inside the pore, inflammation, hormonal signals, or pore-clogging ingredients long before bacteria become involved.
The goal isn’t to dry out acne. The goal is to normalize how the skin functions.
Healthy barrier. Balanced oil production. Proper cell turnover. Less inflammation.
That’s where real progress starts. 👏
If you need guidance with determining what the best skin care routine is for you.... You can schedule an in person or virtual consultation OR check out my "acne starter kit" skincare bundles for your specific acne type/concern. Shop online 🔗 in bio.
