Clearing the Confusion: Common Culprits Behind Your Breakouts
Yads Cauchi is a Dermal Clinician, Nutritionist (BHSc, MSc) and Beauty Journalist. She's also a mum of four. Evidence based skin health and nutrition are her thing and she works from her own skin clinic based in Canberra - you can find her there, or on Instagram and TikTok @yadscauchiskin.
Acne breakouts are common and can affect all skin types and people of all ages, although their severity and how long they last can vary from person to person.
There are also many different reasons why someone might suddenly start breaking out.
In clinic, some of the most common issues that come up include hormonal fluctuations, using the wrong skincare, and stress, and for some people, diet can also play a role because it may influence inflammation in the body.
While some of the common causes behind your breakouts may be completely out of your control, there are definitely a few factors that can be within your control.
Trying to identify them can help stop your breakouts from getting worse or, even better, help prevent them from happening in the first place.
Below are a few of the most common things that come up in clinic that could be causing your breakouts.
Viral Skincare Products That Are Not Right for Your Skin.
This is such a common issue that only seems to be getting worse.
Every week there seems to be a new skincare product going viral on social media — and when content creators say that it “literally changed their life” you will get thousands of people running to try it.
However, not every viral skincare product is right for every skin.
And in fact, when you’re dealing with tricky skin concerns such as acne, congestion or even rosacea, it is super important you tread carefully when purchasing skincare products based on their virality.
TikTok has delivered many beauty "hacks", but do they actually work? We investigate below.
So many viral skincare products aren’t really made for acne-prone and/or congested skin either and many are either filled with fragrance, or designed to deliver glowy skin benefits for relatively common and healthy skin.
Which is why I always tell my clients that before buying a random product they should stop and ask themselves:
1. Is this a product that is directly going to treat my concerns?
2. Do I already own something like it?
Dermaplaning at Home.
Dermaplaning is another trend that has become popular due to social media and many people are now doing this at home.
However, if you are prone to acne, I would recommend leaving dermaplaning to the professionals — in clinic — because when you are dermaplaning, you are essentially removing a layer of skin and this can leave your skin exposed.
And while dermaplaning itself is not the cause of breakouts, what clients do/use before or after is.
You see, in clinic, I often come across people that don’t realise that dermaplaning is also exfoliating the skin, so when they do it at home, simple mistakes such as following with an exfoliating or even a vitamin A product can damage or irritate their skin.
Additionally, if you have active acne, dermaplaning over an active breakout at home can rupture the breakout, irritate the area and, in some skin types, lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Acne-prone skins should also be wary that they’re using the right type of hydrators and moisturisers following a dermaplaning treatment — which is also something your clinician can discuss with you in clinic.
So really, there is a lot to this treatment that people should be aware of, including cleaning and changing the blade regularly.
Wondering what type of acne you have and how to treat it? Check out the below video.
Picking At Your Spots and Blackheads.
I’m sorry to always be saying this but picking at your breakouts and blackheads will make your acne worse.
Plus, it can potentially be leading to more breakouts.
So while it can feel satisfying in the moment when you pick at your spots and/or blackheads, you are technically creating more inflammation and potentially making the whole situation take much longer to clear.
Not to mention it can also increase the likelihood of scarring or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and spreading bacteria from your hands to your face.
Working Out in Your Makeup (Or Forgetting to Cleanse Afterwards).
Not knowing how or when to do your skincare pre and post-workout is a big issue that pops up in clinic. So here’s a little 411 on how to do your skincare when you’re planning a workout.
If you workout first thing in the morning, all you need to do is splash your face with water, workout, and then come home and do your skincare routine.
If you workout during the day, it is important to remove your makeup first and never forget to cleanse post-workout.
Cleansing away sweat and bacteria will prevent your pores from getting clogged. Ditto with preventing body acne.
A quick shower with a salicylic acid body cleanser can help prevent body breakouts.
And there’s no need to re-do your entire morning routine, just a basic cleanse, moisturiser then SPF afterwards is fine.
If you workout at night, it’s essentially the same deal. Remove your makeup, workout, and then follow with your PM skincare routine.
And as always, SPF is mandatory if you’re exercising out in the sun.
Just remember working out in your makeup is not ideal — especially for any skin trying to prevent breakouts.
Final Thoughts.
While breakouts are normal and very common for many, it's important to remember that acne breakouts predominantly come down to genetics and hormonal fluctuations.
Plus, treating acne breakouts takes time and there is often no quick fix.
However, if you are experiencing constant breakouts or having issues with acne, speaking to a professional, such as a Dermal Therapist, Clinician or Dermatologist can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
As can coupling prescribed at-home skin products with in-clinic procedures including LED light therapy and/or chemical peels which can help treat acne and fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation following breakouts.
More skincare tips and advice this way... check out the below Beauty IQ articles:
