9 Common Skincare Ingredients You'll Want to Avoid If You Have Acne
Breakouts suck. There's no denying that. When you have acne-prone skin, it can be frustrating to find products or a routine that actually works. And it doesn't help that breakouts can be caused for a number of reasons, like hormonal changes, stress, the environment around you, and yes, even the products you're using, which can just make you want to throw up your hands and give up.
But treating pimples and blemishes really depends on your specific skin type and condition, so getting to the bottom of that is a start. "Acne can lead to more than just pimples, so it is important to find a skincare routine that is effective for your skin type," explains Howard Sobel, MD, founder of Sobel Skin and attending dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. "A large concern for acne-prone skin is that although you are using products that treat acne, oftentimes, you can be combining too many different ingredients, hindering your skin from healing and even causing further breakouts."
When caring for acne-prone skin, striking a balance is key. "You basically want to keep the skin more on the dry side and less on the oily side as oil blocks the pores and allows pimples to form," says board-certified dermatologist Roberta Del Campo, MD. "We also want to make sure that we are using a non-comedogenic moisturizer (won't block the pores), and a product such as a retinol or retinoids to clean the pores."
Ingredients to Look for and Ingredients to Avoid
When searching for skincare products to add to your routine, both Sobel and Del Campo recommend looking for these ingredients…
Retinoids (Sobel says this is the true gold standard for all skin types)
Benzoyl Peroxide
Salicylic Acid
Niacinamide
Azelaic Acid
Glycolic Acid
And as for the ingredients to avoid, these are ones that could irritate the skin or make your situation worse:
SLS
Silicones
Mineral oil
Alcohol
Coconut oil
Isopropyl myristate
Glycerin
Lanolin
Various comedogenic oils, like olive, papaya seed, avocado, and safflower
Some General Tips for Acne-Prone Skin
The most important thing to do once you find a routine that works for you is to stick to it. "Oftentimes, many individuals starting a new skincare routine are not consistent with it," Sobel says. "Continuously starting and stopping your skincare regime usually leads to flare-ups, irritation, redness, and dryness as your skin has not been given the proper time to acclimate to the products introduced. Additionally, many people skip applying sunscreen in the morning, which is a very important step, especially for those using strong acne-clearing products, as they can make your skin more susceptible to the negative effects of UV rays." Sobel also adds that you should make sure you're using products for the times of day they're designed for, like sunscreen in the morning and throughout the day, and retinol at night.
As for the products that work best, Sobel recommends following a simple skincare routine that includes gentle, yet effective products. "Cleansing and moisturizing are the basic yet vital steps of a good skincare routine every morning and night," he says. "For those who have acne-prone skin, it is important to see a dermatologist who can recommend or prescribe the most effective cleanser and moisturizer. Introducing a toner into this regimen is great for acne-prone skin types as it gets rid of excess oil that may be clogging pores and causing further breakouts. In the morning, it is also vital to apply sunscreen after moisturizing in order to protect from sun damage or further irritation."
Del Campo adds that you don't want to over-treat or overdo it with your products, either. If you're too aggressive with the routine, you can actually worsen inflammation, which might cause more breakouts.
Best Skincare Products for Acne-Prone Skin
Cleansers
The Inkey List made our list of the best skincare brands for acne-prone skin. This cleanser will clear pores and reduce blackheads, and it will also erase your makeup.
Retinoids
Sobel recommends his brand's retinol as it has the highest level of OTC retinol concentration, wihtout irritating or drying the skin out. "Retinols not only help with aging, but do wonders to eliminate acne by clearing out dead skin cells and unclogging pores," he explains. "Our retinol contains a patent pending delivery system Scientific Delivery SD-100, that mimics healthy, young skin structure, and ensures better absorption of active ingredients. The protective epidermal-dermal barrier is reinforced, so moisture is less likely to get out and aging environmental aggressors are less likely to get in."
Toners, Peels, Serums, and Spot Treatments
This peel retexturizes, exfoliates, and brightens the skin. Sobel says you'll get the similar skin benefits that you'd get in an in-office peel with this product, wihout the expense, hassle, or downtime. "The intensive formula instantly breaks down and sloughs away the glue-like substance that causes dead skin cells to stick together on the top layers of the skin, making it appear sallow, lackluster, and dull," he says. "Over time, the appearance of fine lines and pores is minimized, and stubborn skin conditions like melasma, sun spots, and acne are addressed. Skin is rebalanced for better absorption of other skincare products."
Market editor Indya Brown credits this exfoliant with helping fade her acne scars and keeping her face glowy and clear. Use this formula once or twice daily after cleansing the skin (it's gentle enough that it won't irritate).
Moisturizers
Sunscreens
Masks
If you're just looking to spot-treat pimples or blemishes, this mask from Sunday Riley addresses all types of acne, from hormonal to inflammatory. It's formulated with sulfur to dry and clear acne; bentonite to absorb excess oil; niacinamide to reduce redness, and zinc PCA to mattify skin.
Next, I've Struggled With Severe Acne for 20 Years, and This Is How I Finally Beat It
Sarah is lifestyle writer and editor with over 10 years of experience covering health and wellness, interior design, food, beauty, and tech. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she attended New York University and lived in New York for 12 years before returning to L.A. in 2019. In addition to her work atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , she held editor roles at Apartment Therapy, Real Simple, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, and The Bump (sister site of The Knot). She has a passion for health and wellness, but she especially loves writing about mental health. Her self-care routine consists of five things: a good workout, “me” time on the regular, an intriguing book/podcast/playlist to unwind after a long day, naps, and decorating her home.