If you’re still battling breakouts despite a consistent acne routine, it can feel like an unsolvable mystery.
You cleanse. You spot-treat. You may even use prescription products, and yet those pimples still pop up, and always at the worst possible time.
Adult acne is more common than most people realize, especially among women. It’s often linked to hormonal shifts, stress, and even genetics. However, beyond the usual suspects, other factors may be contributing to your skin issues.
In this post, we break down the 10 things you may be missing in your acne routine and how to fix them.
Acne Routine Miss #1: You’re Not Considering Carbs & Sugars
Some studies have found that high-glycemic diets (think sugary snacks, white bread, and processed foods) can worsen acne. When you eat these foods, they increase insulin levels in the body, which stimulates oil production and inflammation.
A 2022 systematic review, for example, found that a high-glycemic diet was positively associated with the development and severity of acne.
Fix It: Try reducing your intake of refined sugars and carbohydrates. Instead, choose whole grains, legumes, and vegetables to help stabilize your blood sugar and reduce breakouts.
#2: You’re Ignoring Dairy’s Potential Impact
Some studies have linked dairy intake to an increase in acne breakouts, possibly due to hormones and bioactive molecules in the milk that can influence oil production.
The same 2022 review mentioned above also noted that increased dairy consumption can have a pro-acne effect on some people. So it doesn’t affect all people this way, but it’s worth considering.
Fix It: If you suspect dairy might be a trigger, try eliminating it for a few weeks and see how your skin responds. If it clears up, try gradually adding back the dairy you like, a little at a time, to see what happens. With a bit of experimentation, you can figure out how much dairy you can comfortably consume without harming your skin.
Acne Routine Miss #3: You’re Not Moisturizing—or Using the Wrong Moisturizer
You may feel if you have oily skin, you should avoid moisturizing, but that can backfire. If your skin senses dryness, it will naturally produce more oil, not less.
On the other hand, if you have dry skin, it can also lead to excess oil production, clogged pores, and worsened acne.
Maintaining hydration levels is crucial for healthy skin and preventing excessive oil production that can cause acne. But It’s essential to be cautious about the type of moisturizer you use. Heavy, comedogenic moisturizers can cause breakouts.
Using the right moisturizer, however, has been shown in studies to improve the signs and symptoms of acne.
Fix It: Choose non-comedogenic, oil-free moisturizers. Look for ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin, which hydrate without clogging pores. For sensitive, acne-prone skin, products like CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture can provide hydration while soothing irritation.
Glycerin, squalane and aloe vera are key ingredients in Calming Moisture that hydrate and moisturize without clogging pores. It’s also full of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing ingredients that will help bolster the skin barrier, calm acne inflammation, and encourage healing.
#4: You’re Over-Cleansing Or Using Harsh Products
Overwashing or using abrasive scrubs with crystals or beads in them can strip the skin’s natural barrier, leading to increased oil production and irritation. Some of these can make micro-tears in the skin, setting the stage for bacteria to thrive and acne to result.
Fix It: Cleanse your face twice daily with a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser. Avoid harsh scrubs and choose exfoliating products with mild exfoliants like salicylic, malic, and glycolic acids.
Follow with a balancing and multi-tasking toner like Rescue & Relief Spray. It helps keep skin balanced. It’s non-comedogenic and based in an aloe emulsion containing anti-inflammatory compounds that can reduce acne irritation, redness, and swelling and can soothe and moisturize acne-prone skin. Its wound healing, antimicrobial, and analagesic properties can help accelerate and heal acne blemishes as well as balancing the skin helping to prevent breakouts.
Acne Routine Miss #5: You’re Not Managing Stress
Stress triggers hormonal changes that can exacerbate acne. Chronic stress—the kind that goes on for weeks or even months—increases levels of the hormone cortisol, which, in turn, increases oil production and inflammation.
Studies have shown that stress is a significant factor in female acne, specifically. Even sleep deprivation, which causes stress in the body, can exacerbate acne. Two studies, in particular, showed that stress was a worsening factor for acne in 71 percent and 50 percent of women, respectively.
Fix It: Incorporate more stress-relieving activities into your daily routine. Good options include exercise, meditation, deep breathing, tai chi, yoga, journaling, and participating in hobbies you enjoy. Prioritizing sleep and relaxation in general can also help.
#6: You’re Using Clogging Hair and Skin Products
Hair products and cosmetics can contain ingredients that clog pores, leading to breakouts along the hairline, forehead, jawline, and cheeks—especially if you’re already acne-prone. Some common pore-clogging (comedogenic) ingredients to look for include:
- Coconut oil
- Isopropyl myristate
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Algae extract
- Mineral oil
- Petrolatum
Fix It: Choose products labeled as non-comedogenic and oil-free, especially in leave-in conditioners, styling products, and facial makeup. Check ingredient lists carefully, especially on products that stay on the skin and hair (that you don’t rinse off). When in doubt, patch-test a new product before use.
Acne Routine Miss #7: You’re Not Changing Pillowcases and Towels Frequently
Bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells accumulate on pillowcases and towels, which can transfer back to your skin and cause breakouts.
Fix It: Change pillowcases at least twice a week and consider using clean towels daily. Try a gentle, fragrance-free detergent to avoid skin irritation.
#8: You’re Touching Your Face Too Often
Whenever you touch your face, you transfer bacteria and oils from your hands to your face, potentially clogging pores and causing breakouts. Try to be more aware of how often you touch your face and where—then see if you get acne in those places. You may be surprised at how quickly a face touch can turn into a pimple!
Fix It: Be mindful of touching your face, including resting your face in your hands. Try to avoid it all costs throughout the day. Before applying products to your face, always thoroughly clean your hands.
Acne Routine Miss #9: You’re Not Considering Hormonal Factors
Hormonal fluctuations, particularly in women—think menstrual periods, pre-menopause, and menopause—can lead to acne flare-ups. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can also contribute to persistent acne.
Studies show that adult female acne is often associated with hormonal imbalances and may require targeted treatments.
Fix It: If you notice that your acne appears around the time your hormones are fluctuating, talk to your doctor. They may be able to recommend treatments like hormonal contraceptives or other medications to help regulate your hormones and reduce breakouts.
#10: You’re Not Being Consistent with Your Routine
Inconsistent skincare routines can hinder your progress to clear skin. Keep in mind that it often takes several weeks to see improvements, and if you give up too soon, that could lead to setbacks.
Fix It: Stick to your skincare routine—including any dietary or stress-relieving practices—for at least a month before making any conclusions. Be patient and give the techniques a chance to work. If you’re not seeing improvements after several weeks, consider consulting a dermatologist for additional assistance.
Bonus: You’re Using Too Many Active Ingredients
When you’re struggling with problem skin, it can be tempting to throw everything you can at the problem—retinoids, acids, benzoyl peroxide, and more. Using too many active ingredients, though, can harm your skin barrier and worsen inflammation.
Fix It: Simplify your routine. Choose one or two active ingredients that address your specific concerns and allow your skin time to adjust. CV Skinlabs Rescue + Relief Spray can be a soothing addition to your routine when your skin feels irritated from acne treatments. It provides immediate, cooling comfort with anti-inflammatory turmeric and water lily extract.
Final Thoughts
Managing adult acne typically requires a holistic approach that considers diet, skincare, lifestyle, and hormonal factors. If you can address all of these often-overlooked aspects, you can create a more effective routine that is specifically tailored to your skin’s needs.
How do you manage your acne skin routine?
Featured image by gpointstudio on Freepik.
