Acne Care
Habits That Make Acne Worse
7 Common Mistakes That Irritate Your Skin and How to Break Them for Clearer Results. | Published on
Many people unknowingly make acne worse through daily habits that irritate the skin, clog pores, or trigger inflammation. At Our Skin Clinic, part of your acne plan includes helping you understand what to avoid and how to support your treatment results.
Here are the most common habits that worsen acne, supported by modern dermatology research.
The 7 Habits to Break for Clearer Skin
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1. Over-Exfoliating and Using Too Many Actives
Mixing multiple acids, scrubs, or retinol too frequently can damage the skin barrier, making acne more inflamed. Research highlights that barrier disruption increases inflammation in acne-prone skin (Draelos, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018).
What to do: Follow the routine we create for you—simple, consistent, and balanced.
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2. Picking or Squeezing Spots
Picking increases inflammation, scarring risk, and prolongs healing. Recent reviews confirm that mechanical manipulation worsens pigmentation and leads to permanent texture changes (Perkins et al., Dermatology and Therapy, 2021).
What to do: Our Acne Facial includes safe, sterile extractions to prevent this.
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3. Using Heavy or Comedogenic Makeup
Some foundations, primers, and oils block pores and worsen congestion.
What to do: Bring your current products to your consultation so we can check ingredients for you.
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4. Not Cleaning Pillowcases or Makeup Brushes
Bacteria, oils, and skincare residue accumulate and worsen acne.
What to do: Clean pillowcases twice a week and makeup brushes weekly.
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5. Stress and Poor Sleep
Studies show stress increases cortisol, which boosts oil production and inflammation (Jafferany et al., Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 2020).
What to do: LED therapy and consistent routines can help reduce flare-ups linked to stress.
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6. Skipping SPF
UV exposure worsens pigmentation that follows acne lesions.
What to do: Use SPF 50 daily to prevent dark marks from deepening.
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7. Constantly Switching Products
Acne improves with consistency, not "product hopping."
What to do: At Our Skin Clinic, we provide a structured acne routine so your skin can stabilise.
Take Control of Your Skin
Small everyday habits can greatly influence acne. By understanding these triggers and combining them with evidence-based treatments at Our Skin Clinic—such as peels, LED, PRX-T33, and deep-cleansing facials—you can significantly improve your skin's clarity and prevent future breakouts. Book your consultation today!