9 Common Skin-Care Ingredients That Are Making You Break Out

If you're prone to breakouts, you probably have an arsenal of products to treat them, but not all are actually helpful. These are the 9 ingredients that could be making your acne worse.

The sneaky skin wreckers in your bathroom cabinet

If you’re wondering what causes acne, the reality is that no one is really sure—there are many potential reasons behind troublesome skin, according to Mona Gohara, MD, an associate clinical professor at the Yale School of Medicine and a dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut in Branford. They include hormonal issues, not changing your pillowcase frequently, a fatty and sugary diet, or the wrong skincare regimen for your skin type, says Kerri Daniels, a skin consultant with the global beauty brand, PMD Beauty. And people with acne-prone skin should add these ingredients to their beauty arsenal

Close up of young woman getting facial skin treatment at spa. Cosmetician hands applying peeling mask on her face
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Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid may be too harsh on acne for some people, so Daniels suggests using it sparingly. “It can be used in small doses as spot treatments,” says Daniels, who is also a New Jersey- and New York-based model.

A woman exfoliating her skin with brown exfoliating gel.
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Exfoliating beads

Treating your dull skin to some exfoliation sounds like a treat. But be cautious. Rather than gently sloughing away dead skin cells, harsh exfoliating beads may actually be what causes acne and irritation. “Exfoliating beads are bad for acne because they inflame the skin, making the condition worse and more protracted,” says Dr. Gohara. Try making your  own skincare products; check out these natural recipes for amazing skin.

A woman applying fragrance to her wrist.
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Fragrance

The smell of citrus might perk you up in the morning, but you shouldn’t use scented products on your face. “Fragrance and perfumes can be found in many over-the-counter washes and scrubs marketed toward acne-prone skin,” says Dr. Gohara. However, these products could be what causes acne. If you have dry skin or find yourself scratching your face throughout the day, add unscented products to your skincare routine.

retinol
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Retinol

Information published in 2017 in the journal Dermatology and Therapy explains that topical retinol use is “highly efficacious on both noninflammatory and inflammatory acne lesions.” However, it also states that there are several concentrations and formulations available. So, consider asking your dermatologist what’s right for your specific needs. This way, you can avoid side effects that may occur with topical retinoids like possible irritation and dryness.

A woman applying a cleansing pad to her skin while standing in front of the mirror.
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Benzoyl peroxide

Many over-the-counter face washes and spot treatments boast benzoyl peroxide as their star acne-fighting ingredient. According to the Mayo Clinic, benzoyl peroxide is “effective and tolerated by most people.” But they also indicate that stronger is not always better. It may be what causes acne, or at least worsens it. Over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide products, the Mayo Clinic notes, range in strengths from 2.5 to 10 percent. Consider a 2.5 percent; it can work as well as stronger concentrations, minus possible side effects like redness, stinging, and dry skin. Follow these surefire ways to get rid of acne to see skin improvements.

Coconut oil
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Coconut oil

Coconut oil has had its share of good-versus-bad hype through the years. But Jonathan Kantor, MD, the medical director at the Florida Center for Dermatology in St. Augustine, Florida, suggests thinking twice about using it on your skin. “When it comes to acne-prone skin, coconut oil, like any other oil, is a bad idea,” he says. “It is occlusive and thick which means it can clog pores and, if you are prone to breakouts, will probably make things worse, not better.”

A woman applying foundation to her forehead with a pink beauty blender.
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Silicone

“While true medical-grade silicone is actually not a bad filler substance, and may be helpful in treating thickened scars, I would not recommend putting it on acne-prone skin,” says Dr. Kantor. He explains that it can block pores. Ranella Hirsch, MD, president of Skincare Doctors in Boston, Massachusetts, agrees that silicone has some benefits. She says it can “improve the texture and feel of skincare products” and also create a barrier to make the skin appear smoother. “For some people, though, there can be an allergy to silicone or some of the inactive ingredients used to manufacture them,” Dr. Hirsch says. Be mindful of your skin; look at these signs that your products are damaging your face.

istock/Peter Hermus

Talc

The use of talc in common cosmetic and household items (including baby powders and shower products) raised concerns when it was linked to the carcinogen asbestos and even ovarian cancer. However, Dr. Hirsch says it’s in wide use. “The question here is more the unknown,” she explains, referring to truly knowing whether it’s a harmful cosmetic. Dr. Kantor adds that talc, much like silicone, “is often maligned, but for the most part as an ingredient is not in itself a problem.” Do your best to stay informed and use your own judgment.

A woman shampooing her hair in the shower.
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Parabens

Parabens are a family of chemical compounds used as preservatives. They’ll show up on ingredient lists as methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben. Parabens have been used for decades to enhance shelf life, Dr. Hirsch says. However, she adds that “data suggests that they can mimic estrogens and interfere with hormone function as a consequence.” Hormonal changes may play a role in what causes acne. Therefore, you might want to consider preservative-free cosmetics. If you do, Dr. Kantor recommends storing them in the refrigerator. Preservative-free cosmetics, he explains, “often go bad pretty quickly.” Your breakouts might be trying to tell you an ingredient isn’t a good match for your skin. Here’s what else your acne breakout is actually telling you.

Sources
  • Jane Iredale, founder and president of jane iredale, Great Barrington, Massachusetts
  • Mayo Clinic: "Over-the-Counter Acne Products: What Works and Why."
  • Dermatology and Therapy"Why Topical Retinoids Are Mainstay of Therapy for Acne."
  • Safe Cosmetics: "Talc"
  • Kerri Daniels, skin consultant at PMD Beauty
  • Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine and dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut, Branford, Connecticut
  • Jonathan Kantor, MD, medical director, Florida Center for Dermatology, St. Augustine, Florida
  • Ranella Hirsch, MD, president of Skincare Doctors, Boston, Massachusetts
Medically reviewed by Jessica Wu, MD, on October 29, 2019

Maria Azua
Entertainment, beauty and tech writer.