7 Everyday Mistakes You Don’t Realize Are Causing Acne

Introduction:

You’ve invested in cleansers, toners, spot treatments and even clean eating. Yet, the breakouts keep coming back. Acne can feel like a frustrating cycle, and while hormones and genetics do play a role, many people unknowingly make daily skincare and lifestyle mistakes that silently worsen acne. Whether you’re dealing with whiteheads, blackheads, or stubborn cystic acne, understanding the hidden culprits is the first step to getting clearer, healthier skin.

Let’s break down the 7 most common yet overlooked mistakes that might be causing your breakouts, along with dermatologist-recommended prevention tips and Fixderma’s acne-fighting solutions that actually work for both men and women.

Understanding Acne

Before diving in, let’s get one thing clear: acne isn’t just a teenage issue or a simple matter of hygiene. It’s a chronic skin condition caused by excess oil production, clogged pores, bacteria (Cutibacterium acnes), and inflammation. Factors like hormonal changes, stress, and even diet can amplify the growth of acne-causing bacteria. But daily behaviors, especially that go unnoticed, often are the inclined cause toward frequent breakouts.

Let’s dive into what these habits are that unknowingly sabotages your skin health -

1. Overwashing or Using Harsh Cleansers

While keeping your skin clean is crucial, washing your face too often or using harsh cleansers strips away your skin’s natural oils. This can disrupt your natural skin barrier, leading to increased oil production, irritation, sensitivity and eventually more acne breakouts.

Here’s how you can prevent it

1. Stick to cleansing twice a day, once in the morning and once at night with a gentle acne face wash.
2. Cleanser infused with Salicylic Acid to unclog pores, maintain oil production.
3. Use a non-comedogenic, pH balanced face cleanser for oily and acne-prone skin.

Fixderma Salicylic Acid Cleanser (Salyzap Face Cleanser)

Infused with 2% salicylic acid, this cleanser deeply unclogs pores, removes excess oil, and keeps acne under control without over-drying your skin.

2. Touching Your Face Frequently

Your hands carry dirt, oil, and bacteria and every time you rest your chin on your hand, swipe hair from your face, or scroll while leaning on your palm, you're transferring bacteria, oil, and grime straight onto your skin.  Constantly touching your face especially while working, watching TV, or talking can easily clog pores and lead to sudden acne especially around the jawline and check areas.

Here’s how you can prevent it

1. Be mindful. Avoid resting your face on your hands and always wash them before applying any skincare or makeup. Keep your hands clean and resist the urge to touch blemishes or squeeze acne spots, no matter how tempting.

3. Not Washing Pillowcases, Bedsheets, or Makeup Tools Regularly

Your pillowcase might be dirtier than you think. Some studies show it can harbor 10x more bacteria than a toilet seat if unwashed for a week. Your pillowcases and bed sheets accumulate sweat, dead skin cells, and oil that can rub against your face while you sleep. The same goes for unwashed makeup brushes and beauty blenders; they become breeding grounds for bacteria.

Here are a few tips you can change

1. Change pillowcases at least twice a week, or wash them every 2-3 days.
2. Use a dedicated face towel and wash it often.
3. Wash makeup brushes weekly with gentle soap or a brush cleanser

4. Using Comedogenic Products

Not all skincare products are created equal. Many products, especially heavy creams, primers, or foundations may contain pore-clogging ingredients like lanolin, mineral oil, or silicones. These trap sebum and debris beneath the surface of your skin, causing congestion and breakouts.

Here’s what to look for:

1. Look for products labeled as "non-comedogenic" or "oil-free", especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin. Non-comedogenic products are those that do not clog your pores. Read the ingredient list of the products before trying anything new on your skin.

Fixderma’s Acne Care range consists of non-comedogenic formulas that are gentle on skin and do not clog the pores.

5. Skipping Moisturizer

The ongoing myth says that moisturizer will make your skin more oily. And so, many people with oily or acne-prone skin believe that skipping their daily moisturizer will reduce oil but it backfires. Depriving your skin of moisture causes it to overcompensate by producing even more sebum, worsening the acne.

Here’s how to prevent it:

1. Use a lightweight, gel-based and oil-free moisturizer that hydrates your skin without clogging pores.
2. Wondering how to find the best moisturizer for acne prone skin, look for ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, or ceramides in your moisturizer.

Fixderma Salyzap Gel moisturizer is best for oily and acne-prone skin. It is non-greasy and non-comedogenic which hydrates your skin without clogging pores or causing extra shine.

6. Ignoring Sun Protection

If you’re using acne treatments like salicylic acid, retinoids, or benzoyl peroxide, your skin becomes more sensitive to the sun. Skipping sunscreen can lead to sunburn, pigmentation, and even worsen post-acne marks. UV exposure can also weaken your skin’s ability to heal and increase inflammation.

Here’s how you can prevent it

1. Use a broad-spectrum, non-comedogenic sunscreen every day, even when indoors. Choose a gel-based sunscreen above SPF 30+ that meets the need of oily and acne prone skin.
2. Fixderma Shadow SPF 50+ A-Gel Sunscreen is a lightweight, oil-free sunscreen, clinically proven to be ideal for acne-prone skin.

7. Picking or Popping Pimples

While popping pimples can be tempting. However doing so introduces bacteria deeper into the skin, leading to inflammation, scarring, and even new breakouts. You may think you’re solving the problem, but picking on your acne also interrupts the skin’s natural healing process, making breakouts linger longer.

Here’s how you can prevent it:

1. Use targeted treatments with acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or niacinamide instead of constantly popping them.
2. Applying anti acne cream or anti acne gel like the Salyzap Day Time Gel is a 24-hour solution that treats existing breakouts and prevents new ones. It acts as a gentle spot treatment for acne.

Other Daily Habits That Can Trigger Acne

1. Diet Hormonal Fluctuations

Your lifestyle plays a big role in your skin’s health. High sugar, dairy, and junk food can spike insulin and oil production. Try balancing your diet with anti-inflammatory foods, zinc, and omega-3s.

2. Sweat and Not Showering After Workout

Another often-ignored factor is post-workout hygiene. Sweat can trap bacteria in your pores, especially on the back and chest leading to body and back acne. Always shower and change into clean clothes after exercise.

For hard-to-reach body acne treatment, Fixderma’s Salyzap Body Wash and Body Spray offers an easy-to-use, effective solution that targets and prevents body breakouts.

Dermatologist-Recommended Fixderma Skincare for Acne

Fixderma Skincare, trusted by over 15000 dermatologists for its science-backed formulations that target and treat acne at every stage - cleansing, treating, hydrating and protecting your skin without compromising the skin barrier. The Salyzap range is especially curated formulas brought together after carefully understanding the needs of acne-prone and oily skin. With salicylic acid at its core, they help to regulate oil production, unclog pores, and reduce inflammation while treating the root causes of acne.

1. Fixderma Acne Cleanser: Fixderma Salyzap Face Cleanser deeply cleans pores and controls oil with 2% Salicylic Acid, without drying your skin.
2. Fixderma Acne Serum: Fixderma Acne Defense Face Serum targets breakouts and redness with Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, and Tea Tree Extract.
3. Fixderma Acne Moisturizer: Durave Acne-Control Oil-Free Moisturizer offers lightweight hydration that calms acne-prone skin without clogging pores.
4. Fixderma Acne Sunscreen: Fixderma Shadow SPF 30+ Gel Sunscreen is a non-comedogenic sunscreen that protects acne-prone skin without any greasiness.

Together, these products form a complete acne-care skincare routine that targets blemishes, repairs skin, and prevents future flare-ups.

Conclusion: Clearer Skin Starts With Your Everyday Habits

Acne doesn’t always come from what you’re not doing, it often stems from what you’re unknowingly doing wrong. From overwashing your skin to ignoring your pillowcase hygiene, small lifestyle tweaks can go a long way in keeping breakouts at bay. Once you identify these habits, they’re easy to change.

Pair these changes with science-backed skincare like Fixderma’s Salyzap range to support your skin’s journey toward clear, more healthier skin. Whether you’re a teenager dealing with hormonal acne or an adult facing persistent breakouts, healthy skin starts with smart habits and the right skincare.