Why Isn't My Acne Going Away? 7 Reasons Your Routine May Not Be Working
Acne can be incredibly frustrating to navigate. One article tells you that it's because you're eating dairy, while another tells you that medications and drugs are the only way to clear your skin.
You've probaby tried everything and still can't seem to figure out why you're still breaking out. Trust me, I've been there. That's why I became an Aesthetician and Acne Specialist. I felt like the only way to truly understand my skin was to go to school for it. Well, now I totally do understand my skin and am given the oportunity to help hundreds of others learn their acne triggers and manage clear skin long-term.
First, let's get this out of the way: acne is managed, not cured.
Second, everybody's acne responds differently and is triggered by different things. That's what makes my Acne Bootcamp Program so valuable: it's personalized entirely to your skin. But, before jumping into a large commitment like our program, there are some things you can address by yourself first:
You're changing products too often
Products take time to work. If you only try something for a week and decide to give up after it didn't magically clear your skin, you didn't give it a fair chance. Acne can take up to three months to develop under the skin and surface. Even with a curated routine, products can take a while to really see results.
Your routine isn't addressing the type of acne you have
There are many different types of acne, and depending on the type of acne you have, we'll use different products and take a different approach. Just to name a few:
Fungal "acne" (this isn't actually acne)
Noninflamed, or comedonal, acne
Inflamed acne
Combination acne
Maturation arrest acne
You're over-exfoliating
Exfoliation is such an important step when it comes to acne due to the hyperkeratinization of the skin; however, it is such a fine line to walk. On one side of that line, under-exfoliation could be the reason your acne won't budge, while on the other side, over-exfoliation could be leading to barrier impair. When your barrier's upset, inflammation increases, dry and dead skin can collect, sebum production gets all out of wack, and the list could go on. All of these can result in an increase of acne breakouts. Part of what makes our work so valuable is our selective and timed approach when introducing active, or exfoliating, products while balancing barrier support with hydrating and moisturising ingredients.
You're not giving treatments enough time
This goes along the same lines as number 1. Acne is such a "trust the process" situation. It's important who you trust with that process in order for it to be worth your time and energy.
Skin purging often happens during the clearing process which can feel intimidating. To put it simply, acne that is already present deep within the skin can all surface at once: making it feel like your skin is getting worse. It's a part of the clearing process where you need to take a step back, trust your provider, and know that oftentimes things will feel like they're getting worse before they get better. Before you know it, you'll look at your "before and afters" and think "when on earth did my skin get so clear?!"
Your products may be contributing to congestion
Comedogenic is a phrase we use to describe a product that could potentially be clogging your pores. You could be doing everything right, but if you're still using one comedogenic product, you could be stalling your progress right there.
And it's not just skincare products. We look at everything: haircare, laundry products, oral care products, makeup, etc.
The comedogenic scale can feel intimidating if you don't quite understand all of the ins and outs of it. During our Acne Bootcamp onboarding, we do a full product audit and provide replacement recommendations for any comedogenic products you're currently using. We also have easy-to-follow directions for checking products before you buy them in our Acne Portal (only available for Acne Bootcamp Members.)
You're treating the breakout but not the underlying pattern
The hollistic approach of our Acne Bootcamp Program is what seperates us from other acne focused care. We call these "band-aid" approaches because you're only addressing the result and not the root cause of your acne. By diving into lifestyle acne triggers, we're able to educate you on managing your clear skin long-term: a solution others can't provide.
You don't have a consistent plan
Consistency is key, but you need to be consistent with the right approach. This means virtual check-ins, or skin treatments every two weeks, doing your home care twice a day, and following applicable lifestyle modifications. When you put in the work, the results will show through.
If your acne isn’t improving, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need more products, it may mean you need a better plan. Acne can be complex, and what works for one person may not work for another. The goal is to understand what your skin needs, build a routine you can consistently follow, and make thoughtful adjustments as your skin changes. At Kalon Skin & Wellness, we take a personalized approach to acne care, combining professional treatments, customized home care, and ongoing guidance to help you make progress with a plan that makes sense for your skin.
