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Skin & Makeup Ingredients to Avoid If Acne-Prone

Finding just the right products for your skincare and makeup routine can be a delicate balancing act. You want products that make you look great, help you feel natural and, perhaps most important, don’t cause skin problems. And this last one can sometimes be the most difficult, as you frequently don’t know which ingredients in your skincare and makeup routine are leading to acne and other blemishes.

You often don’t know which ingredients in your skincare and makeup products are causing acne and other blemishes.
(Photo: Dreamstime)

Fortunately, the skincare and beauty researchers at Adore Cosmetics are here to help. Here is their list of top ingredients to avoid:

1. Alcohol

Alcohol is sometimes present in skin cleansing products as well as other cosmetics, but it is a surefire skin dehydrator. And dry, dehydrated skin is much more likely to be prone to breakouts.

2. Citrus-based products

Some skincare products have ingredients such as lime, lemon or grapefruit to enhance their desirability as a “natural” skincare product. The harsh reality, however, is that these citrus fruits can be as tough on the skin (or tougher) as alcohol. It’s best to steer clear of any citrus, at least in your skincare routine.

3. Artificial fragrances

There is really no reason for your skin cleaning and cosmetic products to have fragrances in them. Added fragrances mean more artificial chemicals in the products, which are sure to irritate the skin and increase the risks of acne.

4. Waxes and oils

Anything with wax or oils such as propylene glycol, ethyl, butyl and a laundry list of others is going to do more to clog up your pores than cleanse or enhance your skin. These oils are probably better suited for your car than for your face.

5. Parabens

Parabens are in shampoos, lotions and other products to preserve their shelf life, but they also can disrupt your hormones. This in turn can lead to complexion problems in a hurry.