Beginner's Guide: 5 Practical Steps to Stop Acne-Triggering Habits

Feeling like you’ve tried various products but your acne just won’t clear up? You’re not alone. Often, the problem isn’t just the products you use, but daily habits that unknowingly worsen your skin condition. Changing these habits is the main foundation for achieving healthier and clearer skin.

At Salwa Salon, we believe education is key. This tutorial will guide you step-by-step to identify and stop the five most common habits that are the culprits behind acne. Let’s begin your journey to acne-free skin in a smart and practical way!

Langkah 1: Audit Your Skincare – Avoid ‘Pore-Clogging’ Formulas

The first habit to stop is using products with formulas that are too heavy and potentially clog pores (comedogenic). Products that feel very thick or oily might provide temporary moisture, but they can become a ‘trap’ for dirt and oil, ultimately triggering acne.

How to Identify ‘Heavy’ Products

The first step is to become a label detective. Turn over your product packaging and look at the ingredient list. Watch out for ingredients that are occlusive and highly comedogenic, especially if your skin is prone to oiliness or acne. Some examples to be aware of include:

• Shea Butter
• Cocoa Butter
• Petroleum Jelly (Petrolatum)
• Mineral Oil
• Coconut Oil (for face)

Practical Solution: Choose ‘Non-Comedogenic’ Formulas

Switch your choice to products labeled “non-comedogenic,” which means they are specially formulated not to clog pores. Look for products with gel textures, light lotions, or serums. Ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid for hydration, Niacinamide for oil control, and Centella Asiatica for soothing the skin are much safer choices for acne-prone skin.

Langkah 2: Implement the ‘Rinse After Sweating’ Rule

Exercising is great for health, but letting sweat dry on your face afterward is an open invitation for acne-causing bacteria. Sweat mixed with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria creates a perfect environment for acne to appear, both on the face and body (body acne).

How to Incorporate it into Your Routine

Make cleansing after exercise a top priority. Ideally, shower immediately and cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser. This will remove all pore-clogging residues before they have a chance to cause problems.

Quick Solutions When You Can’t Shower

If you don’t have time to shower, don’t worry. There are quick solutions you can do:

• Use Cleansing Wipes: Keep facial cleansing wipes (formulated for sensitive skin) in your gym bag. Wipe your face, neck, and chest to remove sweat and dirt.
• Rinse with Water: At the very least, rinse your face with clean water to remove the layer of sweat on the skin’s surface.
• Use a Face Mist: Spray a soothing face mist (for example, one containing green tea or aloe vera) to refresh and lightly cleanse your skin.

Langkah 3: Master the ‘Double Cleansing’ Technique Every Night

Sleeping with leftover makeup, sunscreen, and pollution is the biggest sin in skincare. All this dirt will clog pores overnight, triggering inflammation and causing new pimples to appear when you wake up. A superficial cleanse isn’t enough either.

Practical Solution: The Double Cleansing Method

Double cleansing is a two-stage method of cleansing the face to ensure the skin is thoroughly clean. This is an essential technique to master, especially if you wear makeup or sunscreen daily.

Stage 1: Oil-Based Cleanser

Apply cleansing oil or cleansing balm to a dry face. Gently massage it all over your face for 30-60 seconds. The oil will effectively dissolve oil, makeup (even waterproof ones), and sunscreen. Rinse thoroughly with water.

Stage 2: Water-Based Cleanser

After the first stage, follow up with your regular facial cleanser (gel or foam form) suitable for your skin type. This step will remove any remaining dirt and residue from the oil cleanser, leaving your skin ready to receive subsequent skincare products.

Langkah 4: Replace Harsh Exfoliation with Smart Exfoliation

Many people think that scrubbing the face with harsh scrubs can clear acne. This is a dangerous myth. Coarse scrub particles can damage the skin (causing micro-tears), irritate inflamed acne, and even spread bacteria to other areas of the face.

Smart Solution: Use Chemical Exfoliants

Chemical exfoliation works by dissolving the ‘glue’ that binds dead skin cells without the need for physical scrubbing. This method is much gentler and more effective for acne-prone skin.

• BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid): The most popular example is Salicylic Acid. BHAs are oil-soluble, allowing them to penetrate deep into the pores to clear blockages from within. This is the best choice for blackheads, whiteheads, and acne.
• AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid): Examples include Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid. AHAs work on the skin’s surface to brighten and refine texture.

Beginner Tip: Start with a low-concentration exfoliating product (e.g., a 1-2% BHA toner) and use it only 1-2 times a week at night to see how your skin reacts.

Langkah 5: Give Skincare Time to Work (The 4-Week Rule)

Changing products too quickly is a habit that confuses the skin and makes it prone to irritation. Every new product needs adaptation time. If you constantly switch products within days or weeks, you’ll never know which ones truly work and which don’t.

Practical Solution: Apply the Rule of Patience

The skin’s natural regeneration cycle takes approximately 28 days. Therefore, give a new product a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks to show results before deciding to stop or replace it.

During the adaptation period, your skin might experience purging (a pore-cleansing process that triggers temporary small breakouts). This is different from irritation or an allergic reaction. If your skin feels itchy, hot, or severely red, stop use immediately. However, if only a few small pimples appear in usual areas, be patient.

Conclusion: Consistency Is Key

Tackling acne isn’t just about buying expensive products, but about building a healthy and consistent routine. By stopping these five bad habits and replacing them with the practical solutions we’ve discussed, you’ve already taken a big step towards clearer and healthier skin. Remember, small changes made consistently will yield significant long-term results.