Acne is a common skin condition, affecting almost 10% of the global population, and finding the right skincare routine for oily, acne-prone skin can be quite a challenge. With so many products and ingredients available, it can be difficult to know what to use and what to avoid. If you have acne-prone skin, choosing the wrong skincare ingredients can exacerbate breakouts and make your skin look and feel worse.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the most common skincare ingredients to avoid if you have acne, so you can make informed choices and achieve clear, healthy skin.
#1: Alcohol
Alcohol is often used in skincare products as a solvent or as an agent to help other ingredients penetrate the skin more effectively. While alcohol can have benefits for some skin types, it can also be harmful to the skin if used in excess.
One of the main issues with using alcohol in skincare products, especially simple alcohols like ethanol, methanol, and alcohol denat, is that it can be drying and irritating to the skin. Alcohol can strip the skin of its natural oils, making your skin overcompensate by producing even more oils, eventually leading to acne.
Another issue with using alcohol in skincare is that it can disrupt the skin’s barrier function. The skin’s barrier is made up of a combination of lipids, proteins, and other substances that keep moisture in and harmful substances out. Alcohol can weaken this barrier, making it easier for irritants and bacteria to penetrate the skin and cause damage.
#2: Fragrance
Fragrance is a common ingredient in many skincare products, including cleansers, moisturizers, and serums. While fragrance can make a product smell nice, it can also be problematic for the skin, especially for those with sensitive acne-prone skin.
This is because fragrances are made up of a complex mixture of chemicals that can be highly irritating to the skin, causing allergic reactions, redness, rash, and sometimes acne.
In addition, fragrances can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, increasing the risk of skin damage from the sun. Ultimately, this can make your acne worse.
Therefore, if you have sensitive skin that’s prone to acne, it would be best to look for products that are labeled “fragrance-free” or “perfume-free” to minimize the risk of skin irritation and other issues.
#3: Sulfates
Sulfates are commonly found in cleansers, as they are very effective at removing dirt and oil from the skin. However, sulfates can also strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. For those with acne, this can lead to even more breakouts as the skin tries to compensate for the lost moisture.
In addition, sulfates can also disrupt the skin’s natural pH balance. The skin’s pH is slightly acidic, keeping harmful bacteria and other pathogens at bay. When sulfates are used on the skin, they can disrupt this natural balance, making it easier for bacteria to thrive and causing skin problems such as acne.
#4: Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is a commonly used ingredient in many skincare products, particularly in moisturizers and other products designed for dry skin types. However, mineral oil can also be problematic for the skin in several ways.
Although mineral oil is usually labeled as non-comedogenic, meaning it doesn’t clog pores, it’s a heavy, occlusive ingredient that sits on top of the skin and forms a barrier to prevent water loss. However, it also traps other compounds on the skin’s surface, such as sweat, dirt, bacteria, and dead skin cells, which do clog the pores and cause breakouts.
Therefore, if you have oily, acne-prone skin, it would be best to skip this one to keep acne at bay, and use lightweight moisturizers instead.
#5: Lanolin
Lanolin is a waxy substance that is derived from sheep’s wool – it’s essentially grease from the sheep’s sebaceous glands that get collected in the wool. It’s a complex compound of various lipids, such as lanolin alcohol, fatty acids, stearyl esters, sterol, and others. As such, it’s a highly moisturizing ingredient widely used in cosmetics, particularly in face creams and lip balms.
However, while lanolin can be an effective moisturizing ingredient for some people, it can cause issues for those who struggle with acne. This is because lanolin is a skin sensitizer, causing allergic contact dermatitis, sometimes in the form of breakouts.
Plus, just like mineral oil, lanolin is a highly occlusive ingredient that can clog pores and, again, lead to breakouts.
#6: Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has become a popular natural ingredient used in skincare due to its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. However, coconut oil, just like many other ingredients on this list, tends to clog pores and cause acne.
Additionally, coconut oil can be too heavy for some skin types, leading to a greasy or oily appearance. This can be especially problematic for people with combination or oily skin.
#7: Essential Oils
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that are commonly used in skincare products due to their fragrant and therapeutic properties. While essential oils can have some benefits for the skin, they also have their fair share of cons.
Namely, essential oils can be highly irritating to the skin, particularly if they are used in high concentrations or if the skin is sensitive. This can lead to allergic reactions, redness, itching, or a rash, and may also cause long-term damage to the skin’s protective barrier.
With a compromised natural protective barrier, the skin becomes more vulnerable to outside harmful influences, such as bacteria, pollutants, and the damaging UV ray. In the long run, this will manifest as hyperpigmentation, premature skin aging, as well as acne.
Takeaway
While the skincare ingredients on our list usually cause acne, or can make your breakouts worse, everybody’s skin is different – and it may take some trial and error to find products and ingredients that best work for you.
In any case, if you struggle with acne, read the ingredient lists on your skincare products – and if some of the above-listed ones are there, you’ll know who’s to blame. So, by avoiding these ingredients and opting for products that are formulated with non-comedogenic, gentle, and soothing ingredients, you can help to reduce inflammation, prevent clogged pores, and promote clearer, healthier-looking skin.