What Makes Acne Worse: 8 Habits to Avoid

Be it a random zit or a full-on breakout, they’re always uninvited guests on your skin. You could be trying everything to clear them up, but they just keep coming back. It’s like your face is hosting a never-ending pimple party. How do you stop it? 

Here’s the answer: what makes acne worse might be hiding in your daily habits. It’s not just hormones or bad luck at play. Simple actions, like touching your face or using the wrong products, can turn a tiny pimple into a major issue. These are 8 common habits to avoid if you want to end “my acne is getting worse” for good. Time to dig in!  

Popping Pimples

Let’s be honest—we’ve all stood in front of the mirror, tempted to pop that pimple. But it’s a huge no-no if you’re trying to ditch what makes acne worse. 

Squeezing a zit can push bacteria and gunk deeper into your skin, resulting in more inflammation, scarring, and yes, more acne. So, next time when you’re wondering, “Why is my acne getting worse?”, this could be a big reason. 

Instead of popping, apply a spot treatment and let it work its magic. 

If you can’t resist the urge to squeeze a zit, start with a guide on which pimples are safer to pop and how to do it carefully. However, if yours is a deep and painful breakout, leave it to a professional.

Overdrying Your Skin 

It’s easy to think that drying out your skin will help get rid of acne, but the opposite is often true. 

When your skin gets overly dry, it’s actually more prone to irritation, which can lead to more breakouts. Using harsh astringents or skipping moisturizer is a major no-go. 

Instead, stick to the proper skincare for acne. Use acne treatments as recommended and always follow up with a moisturizer designed for acne-prone skin. Your skin needs a balance of moisture and treatment—not an oil-free desert. 

Using Comedogenic Products 

We love makeup and skincare products, but not all of them love us back—especially if they’re comedogenic. That’s a science-y way of saying they may clog your pores, and clogged pores are acne’s BFF. 

What exactly might trigger those pesky breakouts? Oils, thick creams, and certain ingredients like myristyl myristate or sodium chloride can be culprits. To steer clear, check the labels and opt for products that say “non-comedogenic.” 

Don’t want to decipher every label? Use a simpler alternative—scan your products with OnSkin. The app will tell you if your scanned item has anything that could clog your pores. It’ll also pinpoint all beneficial actives in the formula. 

Switching Treatments Rapidly 

Ever try a new acne treatment and, after a week of seeing no results, move onto another hoping it’ll be “the one”? Been there, done that. But here’s the deal—acne treatments take time. Think of it like dating; you can’t know if someone’s “the one” after just a week. Same with your skin! 

Constantly switching treatments can irritate your skin and actually make your acne getting worse. What you need is a little patience. Stick with a product for at least 6 to 8 weeks. If it doesn’t show results, then it’s time to move on. Your skin needs consistency, not confusion. 

Sleeping in Makeup 

We’ve all been guilty of it—falling asleep with our makeup on after a long day. But sleeping in makeup is one of the worst things that cause acne. 

Even if your makeup claims to be “skin-friendly,” it can still trap oil, dirt, and bacteria against your skin, leading to breakouts. The longer it stays on, the more it disrupts your skin’s natural recovery process, worsening the situation. 

It’s crucial to let your skin rest and recover, so never forget to take off your makeup before bed. Keep non-clogging makeup wipes by your bed for those nights when you’re too exhausted for a full cleanse.  

And next time you or your friend asks, “Does makeup make acne worse?” remember that the answer is a resounding yes, if you don’t take it off before bed. 

Using Dirty Towels and Pillowcases 

You wouldn’t rub dirt back onto your clean face, right? That’s basically what happens if you use a dirty towel. Bacteria and grime build up on used towels, and when you reuse them, you’re putting all that dirt back onto your skin. 

The same goes for your pillowcase—it might seem clean, but it’s hiding oils, bacteria, and dead skin cells. Gross, right? These can all contribute to acne, especially if you’re prone to breakouts. 

To avoid this, be sure to use a clean towel to gently dry your face after each wash. Also, make it a habit to change your pillowcase weekly. And you’ll never have to ask yourself what makes acne worse again.

Touching Your Face 

Have you ever caught yourself touching your face during the day? It’s a habit many of us do without thinking. Here’s the catch: our hands come into contact with all sorts of surfaces, picking up grime and bacteria. 

When you touch your face, you transfer all that gunk onto your skin, which can clog your pores and trigger breakouts. It’s a habit that can definitely make acne getting worse. 

Try to be more mindful about keeping your hands away from your face. And if you need to touch up your makeup or scratch an itch, make sure your hands are clean. 

Eating the Wrong Foods 

Let’s face it, we all love a good carb-heavy meal or sugary snack, but your skin might not. High glycemic foods, such as white bread, sweet treats, and soda, can spike your insulin levels, which could trigger more breakouts. While the science is still out on how much diet really affects acne, there’s no harm in cutting back on sugar and refined carbs. 

After all, what makes acne worse could be more than just your skincare routine—it might be those diet choices too. Your skin—and your waistline—might just thank you. 

The Final Brushstroke 

So, there you have it—the everyday habits that could be the answer to what makes acne worse. From switching treatments too quickly to sleeping in makeup, these are all things we might do without thinking about how they impact our skin. It’s easy to fall into these traps, but now that you know what’s up, you can make better choices. Your skin deserves it.