How to stop acne breakouts

Twice a day—morning and night—is the gold standard. But here’s where people mess up: they either skip washing after sweating (hello, gym bag face) or go overboard with harsh scrubs that strip their skin. Look, I get it. After a workout, the last thing you want to do is stand in front of a sink. But dried sweat mixed with oil is basically a welcome mat for breakouts. Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser (I like CeraVe Hydrating or La Roche-Posay Toleriane) and lukewarm water. No washcloths, no brushes, no gritty scrubs—just your fingertips, a dime-sized amount of cleanser, and a 30-second massage. Rinse, pat dry, done. If you can’t wash your face right after sweating (say, you’re stuck in traffic), keep micellar water wipes in your bag. They’re not as good as washing, but they’ll do in a pinch. Pro tip: If your skin feels tight or squeaky after cleansing, your cleanser is too harsh. Switch it.

Salicylic acid is the only ingredient I’ve found that actually keeps pores clear. It’s a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), which means it’s oil-soluble—so it can dive deep into your pores and dissolve the gunk that causes blackheads and pimples. But here’s the catch: most people use it wrong. They slather it on every night, their skin freaks out, and they quit. Start slow. Twice a week, after cleansing, apply a 2% salicylic acid toner or serum (Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is my ride-or-die). Wait 10 minutes, then moisturize. If your skin doesn’t freak out, bump it up to three times a week. The goal? Every other night. But if your skin gets red or flaky, dial it back. And for the love of all things holy, don’t mix it with retinol or vitamin C on the same night. That’s a recipe for irritation. One chemical exfoliant at a time, folks.

I’ll admit it: I’m a face toucher. Resting my chin on my hand, picking at dry skin, absentmindedly scratching my nose—it’s a habit I’ve had to break. Here’s why it’s a problem: your hands are covered in bacteria, oil, and whatever you touched last (your phone, your keyboard, that subway pole). Every time you touch your face, you’re transferring all of that to your skin. And popping pimples? That’s the worst. I know it’s satisfying, but it pushes bacteria deeper into your pore, which means more inflammation, more redness, and a higher chance of scarring. Instead, leave it alone or slap a hydrocolloid patch on it. These little stickers absorb gunk and protect the pimple from your fingers. I keep a pack in my desk, my purse, and my nightstand. They’re a real shift for the "I need to pick this right now" moments.

Not all skincare is created equal. Some ingredients—even the ones marketed as "clean" or "natural"—are notorious for clogging pores. Coconut oil? Comedogenic. Heavy mineral oil? Comedogenic. That luxurious shea butter moisturizer? You guessed it—comedogenic. The fix? Look for products labeled "non-comedogenic" or "oil-free." But don’t trust the label alone. Check the ingredients. If you see things like isopropyl myristate, cocoa butter, or sodium lauryl sulfate, run. I learned this the hard way when I switched to a "natural" sunscreen and broke out like I was a teenager again. Turns out, the coconut oil in it was the culprit. Now, I stick to lightweight, non-greasy sunscreens like EltaMD UV Clear. Pro tip: If you’re not sure about a product, plug the ingredients into an online comedogenic checker. It’s saved my skin more times than I can count.

I’ll be honest: I used to go months without washing my makeup brushes. Big mistake. Those fluffy little tools are basically petri dishes for bacteria, oil, and dead skin. Every time you use them, you’re swiping all of that back onto your face. No wonder my skin was a mess. Now, I wash my brushes once a week with a gentle cleanser (baby shampoo works great) and lay them flat to dry. Here’s how: Wet the bristles, add a drop of cleanser, swirl in the palm of your hand, rinse, and reshape. Never dry them upright—water can seep into the ferrule (the metal part) and loosen the glue, ruining the brush. If you’re lazy like me, keep a brush cleaner spray on your vanity for quick touch-ups between washes. It’s not as good as a full wash, but it’s better than nothing.

Stress doesn’t just mess with your head—it messes with your skin. When you’re stressed, your body pumps out cortisol, a hormone that tells your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. More oil = more clogged pores = more breakouts. I noticed this firsthand during a particularly brutal work project. My skin, which had been clear for months, suddenly erupted in cystic acne along my jawline. Coincidence? Probably not. The fix isn’t to eliminate stress (good luck with that), but to manage it. For me, that means a 10-minute walk outside every afternoon, a strict no-work-after-8-pm rule, and a wind-down routine that includes reading (not scrolling). Sleep is non-negotiable. Aim for 7–9 hours in a cool, dark room. If you’re a night owl like me, try a gradual bedtime shift—15 minutes earlier each night until you hit your goal. And if you’re in the middle of a stressful week? Double down on your skincare routine. Your skin needs the extra love.

Here’s a myth I wish would die: oily skin doesn’t need moisturizer. Wrong. Skipping moisturizer actually makes your skin produce more oil to compensate, which leads to—you guessed it—more breakouts. The key is using the right moisturizer. Look for lightweight, oil-free formulas with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin. These hydrate without clogging pores. I swear by Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel. It’s like a drink of water for your skin. Apply it after your salicylic acid or other treatments. If your skin feels tight or flaky, you’re not moisturizing enough. And yes, even if you’re using acne treatments that dry you out, you still need to moisturize. Think of it like this: your skin is a garden. You can’t just pull weeds (treat acne) and expect flowers to grow. You’ve got to water it too.

Spot treatments are great, but most people use them wrong. First, let’s talk about what not to do. Toothpaste? No. It’s not formulated for skin and can cause irritation or even chemical burns. Lemon juice? Also a no. It’s too acidic and can mess with your skin’s pH. What does work? Benzoyl peroxide or sulfur-based treatments. Benzoyl peroxide kills acne-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation. Start with a 2.5% formula (higher percentages aren’t more effective and just cause more irritation). Apply a thin layer to the spot, let it dry, then moisturize. Sulfur is another option—it’s gentler and great for sensitive skin. I keep a tiny tube of Mario Badescu Drying Lotion in my medicine cabinet for emergencies. It’s a cult favorite for a reason. Pro tip: Don’t apply spot treatments to open wounds or irritated skin. It’ll make things worse.