How to manage acne on the face post skincare routine?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

It is a really important observation that acne has increased after starting your skincare routine. This can happen for a few key reasons, and identifying the cause will help fix it fast.

Purging versus breakout- What is the difference?

1. Purging happens when active ingredients like retinol, AHAs (Alpha-hydroxy-acid), BHAs Beta-hydroxy-acid), and vitamin C increase skin cell turnover.

2. Pimples come up faster than usual, especially in areas where you normally break out. It lasts two to six weeks and then clears up.

3. Breakouts are new pimples due to irritation, allergies, or the wrong products. They can show up in new areas and continue getting worse.

Ask yourself:

1. Are these pimples showing up in usual spots and clearing up quickly? Then it is purging.

2. Or are they painful, widespread, or in new places? Then it is irritation or allergy.

Common causes of new acne from skincare:

1. Using too many ingredients at once. For example, using Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Retinol, and AHA (Alpha-hydroxy-acid) together causes overloading. The skin barrier gets inflamed and causes acne and redness.

2. Comedogenic (pore-clogging) ingredients. Coconut oil, shea butter, certain silicones, and thick creams cause black pores. Check product labels for “non-comedogenic”.

3. Not washing off makeup or sunscreen properly. Even sunscreen buildup can cause acne.

4. Over-exfoliation. Exfoliating every day or using harsh scrubs will make the skin raw and lead to acne-prone skin.

What to do now?

Pause and reset (for one week):

Go back to basic skincare:

1. Gentle cleanser.

2. Moisturizer (non-comedogenic).

3. Sunscreen with SPF 50.

Let your skin calm down. After one week, reintroduce one active at a time:

Week two: Add Niacinamide (morning or night).

Week three: If skin is okay, add salicylic acid at night, two times a week.

Avoid retinol or strong acids for now.

Final Tips:

1. Do not apply too much product; pea-sized is enough.

2. Wash pillowcases, and avoid touching your face.

3. If it is hormonal acne (chin or jawline), consider checking for PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) or stress triggers.

I hope this has helped you.

Please feel free to reach out to me again if you have further queries.

Thank you.