A dermatologist has shared a big “mistake” she says people keep making when it comes to spots and breakouts - and it’s relatively common. Most people will experience spots, blackheads or even acne at some point in their lives, and unfortunately it isn’t solely during those awkward teenage years.
Many adults can be prone to breakouts for a variety of reasons. The NHS states “women are more likely to have adult acne than men” due to the regular hormonal changes women experience at multiple times in their lives. Acne can be triggered by periods and pregnancy, as well as polycystic ovary syndrome.
Other causes of acne in adults, as per the NHS, include certain medications, smoking, diets high in foods that raise blood glucose levels quickly, and the use of some cosmetic products.
Skincare is a lot of trial and error as what works for one person may not work for another. Those keen for answers often turn to dermatologists.
These specialist medical doctors focus on issues related to the skin, hair and nails. They work to diagnose and treat a wide range of skin conditions.
Lots of dermatologists also impart their wisdom and expert advice on social media. They typically detail the potential reasons and solutions regarding a variety of prevalent issues.
One professional proving popular online is dermatologist registrar Dr Aamna Adel. Based in London, the expert has amassed a devoted following of more than 1.8million on the hit video-sharing platform, TikTok.
Dr Adel has gained a trusted reputation thanks to her succinct and no-nonsense approach to a variety of skincare trends and popular habits. She champions taking care of oneself from head to toe, with guidance on haircare as well as skin.
Across her many videos, she's gained more than 52.4million likes. In a recent post, the dermatologist shared a “big mistake” she sees many people making when trying to tackle breakouts and acne - drying out the skin.
Speaking directly to the camera, Dr Adel said: “Okay, the biggest mistake I see people with breakouts making is this idea that you need to dry out your skin to get rid of your acne.
"Balance is everything when it comes to your skin barrier and getting rid of these little bumps.”
She then went on to recommend two products, one of which contains the ingredient hypochlorous acid, which is a naturally occurring disinfectant often added to skincare products due to its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to speed up healing and treat acne. There is a variety of hypochlorous acid sprays available on the market.
Dr Adel also praised the benefits of ingredients like salicylic acid, colloidal sulfur, azelaic acid and zinc.
The dermatologist added: “Remember, effective products don’t need to strip your skin to work.” In the comments section, she elaborated: “The goal is not to dry out your skin if you have acne/breakouts because it will actually make your acne worse.”
Before trying out any new products, it’s best to conduct a patch test to check your skin is compatible and won’t be negatively affected.
Apply a thin layer of the product to an inconspicuous area like your inner forearm or behind your ear and leave it for 24-48 hours to check whether you’ll experience any adverse reactions.
If you experience any itching, burning or blistering, wash the product off immediately and stop using it. If you don’t encounter any negative side effects, the product can generally be considered safe for you to use.