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There’s no wrong way to clean your skin, right? Wrong.
It may seem like keeping your skin clean is the best way to protect it from flaws and damage, but some washing habits can actually make problems worse – particularly acne.
Many people think that acne is the result of not keeping your skin clean enough, but this isn’t always the case. According to dermatologists, there is one common mistake many people make in the shower that can even make body acne worse. We spoke to multiple experts and they both warned against the some mistake: over-scrubbing your skin.
Many people dealing with body acne feel as though they can just scrub the acne away, but the reality is if you strip the skin of its natural oils or disrupt the skin barrier, it can leave the skin dry and irritated, which can actually trigger more oil production and potentially worsen your breakouts," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick explained.
This often happens when people over-exfoliate, as Dr. Michele Farber of Schweiger Dermatology Group in Philadelphia, PA, noted. This is surprising to most people, because we often think of exfoliating as a way to renew skin cells to avoid acne.
Dr. Farber told us, "Over-exfoliating can make breakouts worse. Stripping the skin of natural oils can result in dryness and irritation to the skin barrier, which can cause acne. Choose gentle exfoliants like lower percentage alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids, and stay away from harsh scrubs, particularly if you’re sensitive."
So how can you use your shower habits to promote healthier-looking skin all around? Keep on cleansing, but with a gentle product. Dr. Garshick advises using cleansers with acne-fighting ingredients, such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
"Some options include Dove Beauty Bar for those who prefer a bar option to help effectively cleanse without leaving the skin dry or irritated and has been shown to be helpful in those with acne-prone skin, CeraVe Acne Foaming Cleanser which contains benzoyl peroxide to help treat and prevent breakouts or Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash which contains salicylic acid to help reduce clogged pores, breakouts and blemishes," Dr. Garshick said.
Plus, Dr. Farber also recommends paying attention to the ingredients used in your hair products to avoid body acne. She told us, "Heavy shampoo and conditioner can also clog pores. Choose sulfate-free products, and wash your hair before your body to ensure you’re removing residue that can clog your pores."
