If your skin is acne-prone, here are things you shouldn't do:
- Do not use ascorbic acid serums: Vitamin C, in and of itself, does not inherently cause or exacerbate acne. The key factor lies in the potential for irritation stemming from the specific form of vitamin C and the pH level of the formulation. Different forms of vitamin C may vary in their potential to cause irritation, with Ascorbic Acid, for instance, having the capacity to make sensitive, acne-prone skin more reactive. Other forms of Vitamin C include Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate,Ascorbyl Palmitate, e.t.c.
- Do not try new acne treatments every week: Allow your acne treatment the necessary time to yield results. Typically, significant improvements in acne are noticeable after 3 to 4 months of consistent treatment.
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Do not consume a lot of dairy products: The exact cause of acne remains unknown, but several factors contribute to it, including hormonal fluctuations, genetic predisposition, and stress. According to numerous evidence-based studies, dairy consumption has been identified as a potential trigger for acne. Hormones, particularly those present in cow's milk, may disrupt your natural hormonal balance, potentially exacerbating acne symptoms.
- Do not do micro-needling on active acne: Micro-needling is guaranteed to make acne worse if used over active lesions. The needles may come into contact with acne bacteria beneath the skin's surface, potentially spreading it and triggering more severe flare-ups. Moreover, micro-needling already inflamed skin can lead to increased irritation.
- Do not apply retinoids as spot treatment: Topical retinoid (tretinoin, adapalene, retinal, retinol) products are not to be used as spot treatment. You should be applying them to the entire face, as the products are better at preventing acne than actually treating existing lesions. When treating acne, topical retinoids can take up to 6-8 weeks before there is any improvement.
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