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Are you making these acne mistakes?

Acne Mistakes: The top skincare habits that might be worsening your acne

Are you on a mission to treat your acne but still facing new breakouts? Your skin care routine could be to blame. You probably don’t realize that your skincare habits could actually be making your acne worse. Read on for the top 10 skin care mistakes that might be worsening your acne and how to fix them.

Skincare habit: You’re trying a new acne treatment almost every week.

Why it’s a mistake: Switching out your acne treatments could be irritating your skin, which can lead to breakouts.

How to fix it: Allow some time for your acne treatment to work. It may take 6 to 8 weeks to see improvement. If you don’t see any positive changes at that time, you can try another product. A complete clearing of breakouts may take up to 4 months.

Skincare Habit: You’re only applying acne medication to your pimples.

Why it’s a mistake: It makes sense to target only the acne you see, but this approach won’t prevent new breakouts from forming.
How to fix it: To prevent new breakouts, apply a thin layer of the acne medication evenly over your acne-prone areas. For example, if your forehead, nose, and chin are your problem areas, you’ll want to apply the acne treatment evenly there.

Skincare Habit: You’re sharing makeup and makeup brushes

Why it’s a mistake: Acne isn’t contagious, but if you share makeup or cosmetic applicators from other people, you can transfer their bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells onto your skin, which can clog your pores and lead to breakouts.
How to fix it: Never share your makeup, makeup brushes, or cosmetic applicators.

Skincare habit: Not washing your face at night.

Why it’s a mistake: Even non-comedogenic makeup can make your skin breakout if you sleep in it.
How to fix it: Always remove your makeup before you go to sleep. If you’re just too exhausted to get to the sink, use a a makeup remover towelette instead.

Skincare habit: You’re washing your face throughout the day.

Why it’s a mistake: Cleansing you face more than twice a day can irritate your skin and cause acne breakouts.
How to fix it: Wash your face twice a day — when you wake up and before you go to bed. You’ll also want to wash your face when you finish an activity that makes you sweat.

Skincare habit: You’re popping or squeezing pimples

Why it’s a mistake: When you try to pop a zit, you can push some of the bacteria inside deeper into your skin. By doing this, you increase inflammation, which can cause more-noticeable acne and even scarring.
How to fix it: Resist the urge to pop your pimple. Instead, treat your acne with a spot treatment and topical medication. For cystic acne that is deep and painful, see a dermatology provider is to help clear it up.