Is Your Skincare Routine Making Acne Worse? Here's Why

You carefully follow your nighttime skincare routine, hoping to wake up with clearer skin—only to find a new breakout staring back at you. It’s frustrating, but the truth is, there’s no universal routine that works for everyone. Finding the right products for acne-prone skin often takes time, trial, and error. In some cases, the very moisturizer meant to help your skin may actually be clogging your pores and making things worse. If your routine is doing more harm than good, it may be time to see a dermatologist for a personalized plan.

IN THIS ARTICLE

1. 7 Common Skincare Mistakes That Can Worsen Acne
2. Skincare Ingredients to Avoid if You Have Acne-Prone Skin
3. What to Look for Instead: Acne-Friendly Skincare Essentials
4. When to See a Dermatologist About Your Acne
5. Personalized Skincare Routine for Acne at Altitude Dermatology
6. Skincare Routine for Acne FAQs

You might be following all the right steps—cleansing, moisturizing, applying sunscreen—but even a well-intentioned routine can lead to breakouts if you’re not careful. Sometimes, it's the little habits that sneak in and sabotage your skin. Here are some common skincare mistakes that could be making your acne worse.

1. Over-cleansing 

Washing your face three times a day might seem like dedication—but it can actually harm your skin. Over-cleansing strips your skin’s natural barrier, causing it to produce more sebum. The result? More breakouts.

2. Skipping Moisturizer

You've probably heard this advice: "Skip the moisturizer if you want to 'dry out' your acne." It may sound counterintuitive, but hydration is crucial—even more so for oily skin. If you forgo it, your sebaceous glands will produce more sebum to compensate. This can turn your skin into an ideal environment for bacteria, leading to acne. If you have chronic skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, dry skin can worsen the symptoms.

3. Using Comedogenic Ingredients

Does an organic label guarantee a safe product for your skin? Not necessarily. Some natural yet comedogenic ingredients to avoid, as they can block pores, are coconut oil, jojoba oil, and cocoa butter. They don't penetrate your skin and simply sit on the surface, trapping debris on your skin. 

4. Over-exfoliating

Your face isn't a hardwood floor that needs sanding—you need to treat it more like a delicate silk. Exfoliating too often, especially with microbeads, can cause microtears and skin irritation.

5. Using Too Many Products at Once

When it comes to skincare, more isn’t always better. In fact, one of the top dermatologist recommendations for acne-prone skin is to keep your routine simple. Layering too many products—like multiple serums, toners, and moisturizers—can overwhelm your skin, clog pores, and trigger breakouts.

6. Layering Products in the Wrong Order

Layering your skincare out of order is like building a house by installing windows first—it simply doesn't work. A good rule of thumb is to apply products from thinnest to thickest consistency to allow active ingredients to penetrate your skin.

7. Not Washing Your Face After Sweating

Every time you sweat, you feed the bacteria on your skin, potentially clogging pores and causing irritation. Letting the sweat sit on your skin can lead to breakouts. 

Avoiding these common mistakes can make a big difference in keeping your skin clear, balanced, and less prone to breakouts.

‍

Want clearer skin? It starts with knowing what to avoid. Many products marketed as “natural” or “hydrating” can actually trigger breakouts if you’re acne-prone. The key is learning to read ingredient labels—no chemistry degree required. Below are common skincare ingredients that can clog pores and worsen acne.

• Fragrance: It's often listed as "parfum" and contains synthetic chemicals. According to a study, exposure to these substances can increase the risk of allergies (Amerongen et al., 2021).
• Coconut oil: While organic and a darling of many skincare products, it's highly comedogenic. 
• Lanolin: Although moisturizing, lanolin is a common allergen that can irritate skin, especially in children (Goff et al., 2025).
• Isopropyl myristate: Like lanolin, it's often used as a base in moisturizers, but it also frequently clogs pores. 
• Alcohol-based toners: They're notorious for drying and irritating the skin, triggering breakouts. 
• Silicones: While useful, some silicone-based products are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water and don't rinse away easily (Yarbrough, 2025). Traces of the product can remain on your skin and trap bacteria and debris.

If your breakouts won’t go away, your products could be to blame. Take a closer look at the ingredients you're using—being mindful of labels can help you avoid triggers and protect your skin.

Creating a routine that supports acne-prone skin starts with choosing the right products. Here’s what to look for when building a skincare lineup that helps—not harms—your skin:

• Non-comedogenic formulas: Look for this label to ensure products won’t clog your pores.
• Gentle, sulfate-free cleanser: A mild cleanser can clean your skin without stripping it of natural oils or causing irritation.
• Oil-free, lightweight moisturizer: Hydration is still essential—even for oily skin. Water-based moisturizers offer moisture without adding excess oil.
• Targeted spot treatments: Ingredients like salicylic acid help clear clogged pores, while benzoyl peroxide fights acne-causing bacteria.
• Niacinamide + zinc: This duo reduces inflammation, regulates oil production, and promotes a more even skin tone.
• Fragrance-free SPF: Daily sun protection is a must. Choose sunscreens that are both non-comedogenic and fragrance-free to avoid irritation.

You don’t need a complicated routine to see results. The key is to understand your skin type and stick to products that are gentle, effective, and designed with acne-prone skin in mind.

If you don't see improvement in your skin, it might be time to consult an acne specialist. Here are some signs your skincare isn't enough.

• Your breakouts have gotten worse and more painful
• Your skin is always dry, inflamed, and irritated
• The pimples are leaving scars and dark marks
• You've tried different over-the-counter products with no success 

Some types of acne can't be resolved by hygiene or skincare alone because they result from an underlying skin condition. For instance, rosacea—a chronic skin condition—can cause acne-like breakouts that only improve with prescription medications. You'll need to visit a dermatologist to get treatment for this. Conversely, if you want to know how to treat acne caused by hormonal imbalance or skin disorders, you should see a skin specialist. 

At Altitude Dermatology, we take a personalized approach to acne care. During your visit, our dermatology team will assess your skin type—whether it’s oily, dry, sensitive, or combination—and identify the underlying triggers contributing to your breakouts.

Based on your unique needs, we’ll develop a customized treatment plan that may include prescription creams, oral medications, or in-office procedures for more severe or persistent acne. If your acne is linked to hormonal changes, chronic inflammation, or an underlying skin condition like rosacea, we’ll tailor your care accordingly.

Whether you’re dealing with stubborn blackheads, deep cystic acne, or lingering post-acne marks, our board-certified providers in Johnstown and Longmont are here to help you achieve clearer, healthier skin.