The pimple is popping up again! You finally got that ticket to Bali confirmed, you're ready, bags packed, but this last-minute guest actually ruined every moment.
You may wonder that even after trying all the possible skincare, your pimple still shows, then I guess it’s your acne that is repeatedly causing the pimple. Here, you need to change the focus from the pimple and shift to focusing on the root cause of your Acne, which is actually causing the pimple here.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting up to 50 million Americans annually.
There can be multiple reasons as to why your Acne is not going away even after skin care. Let’s see some reasons why this is happening :
What Is Acne and Why Does It Persist?
Before looking at the causes, we need to understand what Acne is. Acne happens when the hair follicles on the skin get clogged either with oil or with dirt.
Acne is more prone to oily skin types, as this type of skin releases sebum, which is a natural oil, and when clogged in hair follicles, causes acne.
Acne gives birth to blackheads and pimples. Thus, we can say that one of the persistent causes of acne is oil and dirt. It’s therefore generally recommended by dermatologists to use a Cleanser for oily skin type, in order to keep acne away.
Globally, acne affects approximately 9.4% of the population, making it the 8th most prevalent disease worldwide (Global Burden of Disease Study). Dermatologists generally recommend using a cleanser suited to your skin type as a first line of defence.
The Role of Bacteria in Acne
Another major cause of acne is bacteria — specifically Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes). When bacteria get trapped in pores, it triggers inflammation and leads to blackheads and pustules. Studies show that bacterial colonisation plays a role in more than 70% of inflammatory acne cases.
Why is my Acne treatment not working?
There can be more than one reason why your Acne treatment is not working. Let’s see them one by one :
1. Acne treatment needs time to give results: you need to be patient with your Acne treatment and give at least 4 to 6 weeks of time before agreeing to the fact that it is not working.
In some cases, it almost takes 2 to 3 months before showing results, so one needs to be patient with this treatment routine.
A 2021 study published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment confirmed that most topical acne treatments show measurable improvement only after 8–12 weeks of consistent use.
2. Focus on different causes: If being persistent with your treatment for 4 to 6 weeks does not show you any results, then use a second product in your treatment.
Since acne can be caused by more than one factor, like excess oil, dirt, bacteria, and inflammation, all four are acne-causing elements, so focusing on more than one factor can be helpful to your treatment.
Research shows that combination therapies (e.g., benzoyl peroxide + retinoids) are up to 2x more effective than single-agent treatments.
3. Usage Directions: It is important in your acne treatment plan to follow the right directions while applying the cream or serum. No matter how small this step sounds, it is crucial in your treatment plans to work properly.
4. Face wash routine: An acne-prone skin should be washed gently with a mild cleanser for 2 times a day and also after sweating.
If you wash your face more than twice or rub your face and wash it, then it might irritate your skin, which results in causing your acne to return.
The AAD recommends washing no more than twice daily, as excessive cleansing can strip natural oils and trigger compensatory sebum overproduction.
5. Avoid touching your face too many times: Acne-prone skin is sensitive skin, which can get worse if you keep on touching, picking, or popping your acne. This will worsen the situation, thus making a speedy return of the acne.
Repeatedly touching, picking, or popping pimples can worsen inflammation and cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Studies suggest that picking acne lesions increases the risk of scarring by up to 40%.
What is Hormonal acne?
The acne caused by the fluctuation of your hormones is known as hormonal acne. This type of acne is seen mainly in adults aged 20 to 50. The skin gets triggered by the way your hormones react to your body, lifestyle, and stress levels, thus resulting in acne.
Who Is Most Affected?
While hormonal acne affects both men and women, it is significantly more prevalent in women.
According to a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, adult acne affects approximately 50% of women in their 20s, 35% in their 30s, and 26% in their 40s.
Pregnant women and those going through menopause are among the most commonly affected groups.
What is Skin Barrier Damage?
The term " skin barrier " refers to the outer layer of our skin, which is essentially made up of dead skin cells. The rest of the layers of our skin are a living organ, so to protect those layers, we have a layer of dead skin cells on the top, which is our skin barrier.
Common Causes of Skin Barrier Damage
- Over-scrubbing or exfoliating your face
- Usage of harsh chemicals in the form of soaps and serums
- Skipping moisturizer in your skincare routine
A 2020 review in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that a compromised skin barrier is present in over 60% of acne patients, suggesting it is both a cause and consequence of acne progression.
Is your skincare routine not working?
Following a skincare routine diligently needs a lot of effort, and if those efforts do not yield you results, then you get discouraged or, in some cases, intrigued as to why my routine is not working. Well, if this is your case, then you need to rethink your steps in your skin care routine. Common mistakes include:
Consistency Is Key
Being regular with your skincare is one of the most critical factors in its effectiveness. Dermatologists recommend this base order for acne-prone skin:
- Cleanse
- Serum (active treatment)
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen (morning) / Night cream (evening)
Find Your Perfect Skincare Match:
Beyond the base routine, you should add only 1–2 targeted acne treatment products. More than that can irritate the skin; fewer may not be sufficient.
A survey by the International Dermal Institute found that over 40% of consumers use 6 or more skincare products daily, significantly increasing the risk of skin sensitisation.
Check for Expired Products
Cosmetics applied directly to the skin must be fresh. Expired products may lose potency or harbour bacteria.
Most skincare actives like retinoids and vitamin C oxidise and lose up to 50% efficacy within 3–6 months of opening if not stored properly.
Verify Active Ingredient Concentrations
If a product claims a key ingredient like PA+++ sunscreen protection or niacinamide, check whether this ingredient appears within the top 5 on the ingredient list.
Ingredients are listed in descending order of concentration under EU and US cosmetic regulations — a low-ranked ingredient means a low-dose formula that may not be clinically effective.
The reason behind this is simple: if the base ingredient for which you bought the product is not in the top 5 ingredients of the product, then the cream has a low concentration of the ingredient, thus, not active enough.
Do Your Research — and See a Dermatologist If Needed
Don’t rely solely on trending skincare advice online. Read ingredient lists, understand your skin type, and make informed choices.
If your acne persists despite a well-structured routine, consult a dermatologist. Studies show that patients who receive professional dermatological guidance clear their acne 3x faster than those who self-treat.
What are some Clean Beauty Myths?
The definition of Clean Beauty is actually not a legal or a universal one. Every brand has its own definition, but some of the common principles in this concept are that clean beauty means- no harsh chemicals, no skin irritant products, mild products.
However, there exist some myths around this concept as well :
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Myth 1: Clean Beauty Means All-Natural Ingredients
There is no harm in using naturally grown products, but it does not necessarily mean that it means you are using a clean beauty product. Many natural ingredients are also irritating to acne-prone skin.
A 2019 study in Contact Dermatitis found that naturally-derived ingredients accounted for over 30% of cosmetic allergic reactions.
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Myth 2: Chemical = Toxic
It is not at all necessary that all the chemicals are harsh on your skin.
Ingredients like niacinamide (shown to reduce acne lesions by up to 82% in clinical trials) and hyaluronic acid are synthetic yet highly beneficial — especially for mature or acne-prone skin.
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Myth 3: Sensitive Skin Should Always Use Clean Beauty Products
Sensitive skin requires care and proper treatment; blindly opting for clean beauty products would only worsen the situation.
Around 60–70% of people self-identify as having sensitive skin (per the British Journal of Dermatology), yet many use products that exacerbate rather than soothe their symptoms.
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Myth 4: Clean Beauty Products Are Mild and Less Effective
To know how active your ingredients are in your product, check the top 5 ingredients in the list; clean beauty has nothing to do with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't my acne go away even after skincare?
There can be more than one reason for this problem; common amongst them are: check if you're regular with your skincare or not, and read your ingredients list carefully.
Can clean beauty products cause acne?
Acne has 4 major factors: Excess oil, dirt, bacteria, and Inflammation. Clean Beauty products have nothing to do with it.
How long should acne treatment take to work?
One needs to be regular and patient with the treatment. It can take 4 to 6 weeks at least, in some cases 2 to 3 months as well.
Why does my acne keep coming back?
There can be more than one reason for this, the most common one being whether your products are focused and well-researched for your acne or not.
Is hormonal acne different from regular acne?
Yes, Hormonal Acne’s major factor is the fluctuation of hormones in the bodies of people from age 20 to 50. Regular Acne is caused by excess oil, dirt, bacteria, and inflammation.
Conclusion
Beauty has many myths and many truths. Similarly, Clean beauty also has many myths and many subjective truths. Using natural and mild products does not necessarily mean it is a clean beauty regimen.
Acne-prone skin or sensitive skin also does not always need to be cured or taken care of by following a clean beauty regimen.
Hyskyn therefore believes in the philosophy of “less is luxury”, a more Indian premium brand that believes in the science-backed formulations and promotes a daily and hassle-free skincare regimen.
Skin care can be tiresome and confusing at some point. Hyskyn aims at making skincare less hassle by aiming at the idea of using fewer but premium products.