Acne is a skin condition that can be caused by several factors including increased stress levels and poor diet. Unfortunately, many people are unaware that beauty products may also be responsible for their acne issues.
Take a closer look at the harsh ingredients in your cosmetic products and imagine all these harmful pore-clogging chemicals being applied to your face every day. That’s why; deep pore cleansing and exfoliation should be the most important steps in your skincare routine if you want to prevent acne.
Let’s discuss some of the most harmful ingredients that can lead to acne, whiteheads, and blackheads. Make sure to keep an eye out for these ingredients in your cosmetics and skincare products and try to avoid them at all costs.
1. Parabens
For people with acne-prone and sensitive skin, parabens can aggravate their acne further. This ingredient is added for its ability to improve the shelf life of products. However, as per skincare experts, parabens can increase oestrogen in the body that can lead to acne breakouts. Daily use of products containing these chemicals can disrupt your skin’s moisture barrier and aggravate acne breakouts even further. Therefore, always opt for high-quality products like Zali cosmetics’ Deep Facial Foaming Cleanser that is free from parabens. Cleansers from a trusted brand like Zali Cosmetics perform just as effectively as those with strong chemicals but without irritation or harming your skin in any way.
2. Products Containing Alcohol
People with oily skin tend to use alcohol-based products to get rid of excess oil from their skin and to get that squeaky clean feeling these products usually deliver. But, it might not always make good sense. For example, toners that contain a high percentage of alcohol only remove oil from the surface and can be extremely dehydrating for your skin. As result, your skin will start producing more sebum to compensates for lost essential oils. This means they can make your skin even oilier in the long run. Consider using Zali’s AHA & BHA Daily Clean toner that effectively removes oil, without robbing your skin of its natural oils. Kalanchoe leaf extract in it will soothe your skin instead of drying it out.
3. Scrubs with a Rough Texture
Exfoliating your skin too often, especially with products containing harsh chemicals, can break your skin’s moisture barrier and make it more susceptible to acne and bacteria. In addition to overcompensating and creating excess oil, dry skin makes your skin more prone to breakouts
4. Petroleum Dyes
Coal tar and Petroleum dyes are often used in colored cosmetics such as blushes and lipsticks. However, if you have acne-prone skin, using these can lead to serious skin issues. Dermatologists suggest stopping their use right away and notice if your acne and oiliness have improved in the affected areas.
5. Synthetic Perfumes
Fragrances can reduce the unpleasant odor of some products or enhance their smell. A downside of fragrances is that they can irritate if you have sensitive skin. You might experience itchy, blotchy skin if you use products with fragrances. Although not all types of fragrances cause skin issues, it is best to avoid using them. A good way to prevent acne is to avoid scented products
Do AHAs and BHAs Work On Acne? Ingredients to Look for
When it comes to acne, many people believe that BHAs like salicylic acid are far superior to AHAs. However, AHAs can effectively treat your acne as well – because they help to slough off dead skin cells and prevent your pores from getting clogged.
The water-loving properties and the small molecular size of AHAs make them exceptionally effective at penetrating the deepest layers of your skin where dead skin cells usually accumulate.
Glycolic Acid
Owing to its very small molecular size, Glycolic acid is one of the most effective AHAs for the treatment of acne and other skin conditions. It is also one of the most researched ingredients when it comes to treating inflammatory acne.
Additionally, the potent exfoliation properties of AHAs like Glycolic acid make them very effective for reducing the appearance of acne scars and hyperpigmentation. These ingredients, in scientifically formulated products like Deep Facial foaming cleanser and can greatly improve pigmented skin from the surface, revealing healthier and radiant skin underneath.
AHAs can also help increase your skin’s moisture levels because of their water-attracting properties.
AHAs can work wonders for people who have dry or normal skin, or those who have suffered sun damage. What’s more, oily skin can also benefit from using AHA, BHA based products.
In addition to reducing wrinkles and fine lines, AHAs are very effective for increasing collagen production in the skin due to their exfoliating properties. On the other hand, BHAs are excellent for preventing acne and getting rid of blackheads caused by dirt and bacteria trapped in the pores (as opposed to AHAs that are more effective for treating inflammatory acne).
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is one of the most effective BHAs and has impressive research backing it up. A recent study has shown that salicylic acid can help reduce excessive lipid production in the skin through its unique molecular pathway of unclogging pores. Additionally, it has been found that salicylic acid possesses powerful anti-inflammatory properties apart from reducing oil build-up in pores.
We hope that this brief ingredient guide on treating your acne will help you choose the most effective products for smooth and radiant skin. Be sure to check our range of skincare products here.
