You are $75 away from free shipping
$
$0
This Is Why Our Lash Serum Is a Must
AGE PERFECT MAKEUP Radiant Serum Foundation with SPF 50
UNBELIEVA-BROW Longwear Waterproof Brow Gel
Your Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Skin Care Routine Schedule
AGE PERFECT® Rosy Tone Fragrance Free Face Moisturizer
REVITALIFT DERM INTENSIVES 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Should You Wash Your Hair Before You Color It?
COLORISTA Semi-Permanent Hair Color
MAGIC ROOT Precision Pen
Our 21 Best Hair Care Tips For Every Hair Type
EVERPURE Brass Toning Purple Sulfate Free Shampoo
ELVIVE Color Vibrancy Rapid Reviver Deep Conditioner
The Best Bangs for Every Face Shape and Hair Type
ADVANCED HAIRSTYLE AIR DRY IT Wave Swept Spray
ELNETT SATIN HAIRSPRAY Extra Strong Hold
Virtual Try-On
Find your next look
Haircolor Meets Makeup
Match your Brow and Hair Color Shade
WOMEN OF WORTH
Honoring extraordinary women who selflessly volunteer
Discover
Learn about the science behind skin care
Checkout our weekly live broadcast with tips from our experts
Find the perfect gift from our carefully curated selection of top beauty favorites
Browse your saved items
Sorry, you must log in to save an item.
Acne can, unfortunately, plague people of all ages and genders. If you’ve ever had it before, you already know that sometimes it feels like no matter what you do, your breakouts just keep getting worse and worse. Sound familiar? We’ve all been there. But, it turns out that certain skin care habits could be making your acne worse—and not just the obvious ones. Keep reading to learn about hidden causes that could be making your breakouts worse, plus find out how to change your skin care routine for the better.
One of the most surprising things that can worsen your acne, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), is only applying your acne medications onto your pimples. While you might think that it’s wise to put your anti-acne products just on your blemishes, so as not to dry out the rest of your complexion, this approach is the wrong one. Instead, the AAD recommends applying an even, thin layer of your acne medication over all of your acne-prone areas—making sure to cover the whole area, rather than just individual blemishes that pop up. This will help prevent new blemishes from forming in the first place, whereas applying the medication onto pimples that have already surfaced won’t.
The AAD reveals that when you share makeup brushes, makeup blenders, or applicators of any kind (such as mascara wands or eyeliner pencils), the acne-causing bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells from the other person’s skin can transfer into your makeup—and then onto your skin, where they can clog pores and yes, lead to more breakouts. So, next time your friend asks if she can borrow your makeup, politely explain why sharing won’t benefit either of you. Make sure you’re the only person who uses your makeup and also remember to clean your makeup brushes regularly.
This is a big beauty no-no. Even if you’ve had a long day, do not—we repeat, do not—ever sleep in your makeup! If you’re prone to this bad habit, try storing a bottle of micellar water or pack of makeup remover wipes next to your bed. This way, even on nights when you can’t bring yourself to get up and wash your face in the sink, you can at least wipe your skin clean of makeup, bacteria, and dead skin cells that have built-up throughout the day. Try the L'Oréal Paris Ideal Clean All Skin Types Makeup Removing Towelettes or the L'Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types.
This reason isn’t very surprising, we know, but it’s still super important. As much as you can, try to resist the urge to pop any blemishes you have, as doing so may push the bacteria deeper into your skin, according to the AAD. If this happens, it can lead to even worse things—including inflammation and potential scarring.
As fun and exciting as it is to test out new skin care products, trying out a different acne product every week or so isn’t doing your skin any favors, according to the AAD. When you introduce new products to your skin too frequently, it can cause it to become irritated, which can lead to more breakouts. Instead, make sure to give acne treatments time to work—the AAD recommends using a product for six to eight weeks. This can apply to pretty much all skin care products, whether it’s a facial cleanser, face scrub, or leave-on products such as moisturizer and serum. If you don’t see your blemishes clearing up after eight weeks, you can go ahead and try out another product. The AAD states that complete clearing of the skin usually takes three to four months, so be patient!
Yes, washing your skin is incredibly important—especially if you have acne-prone or sensitive skin. As we’ve noted, when you don’t cleanse your complexion properly, things like dead skin cells, excess oil, and lingering makeup can build up on the skin’s surface and cause acne. However, on the flip side, washing your face too many times during the day can cause irritation, which—you guessed it—can lead to more breakouts, according to the AAD. So, simply stick to the twice a day rule—cleansing your face every morning and evening with a facial cleanser that’s formulated for your individual skin concerns.
If you’re following all of the right skin care steps and still seeing deep, painful breakouts, you could be battling cystic acne. In addition to making an appointment with your dermatologist, you can read our article to find out exactly what cystic acne is. Here’s What Is Cystic Acne?
Sign up for the latest beauty news, product samples and coupons
This sign up is for U.S. consumers. By signing up, I agree to receive emails from L'Oreal Paris and other L'Oreal brands and programs. Click to read our Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions. Non-US consumers should visit the country website serving their region.*Required information
Thank You
Now you’ll be the first to hear about our latest beauty news, product samples and coupons and so much more. You’ll hear from us soon.