We’ve all been there—waking up, looking in the mirror, and discovering a breakout has crash-landed on our face overnight. It’s frustrating, confusing, and just plain rude. But before you blame your skin for betraying you, it’s time to investigate what you might be doing to invite those pesky pimples in the first place. Let’s break down five common skincare mistakes that could be causing your breakouts—and how to fix them.

1. Over washing Your Face (Yes, There’s Such a Thing)

You might think that scrubbing your face like you’re washing a greasy pan will keep breakouts at bay, but over-cleansing can actually strip your skin of its natural oils. This leads to—yep, you guessed it—your skin producing even more oil to compensate, which can clog pores and cause breakouts.

Fix It: Stick to cleansing twice a day (morning and night) with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser. Your skin isn’t a crime scene—it doesn’t need to be squeaky clean.

2. Skipping Moisturiser Because You Have Oily Skin

If you think skipping moisturiser will dry out your acne, think again. When your skin lacks hydration, it actually goes into panic mode and produces more oil, making breakouts worse. Moisturised skin = happy skin.

Fix It: Use a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser that hydrates without clogging pores. Think of it as a peace treaty between your skin and its oil glands.

3. Using Too Many Harsh Products at Once

If your bathroom shelf looks like a mini skincare laboratory, it might be time to dial it back. Overloading your skin with actives like retinol, acids, and benzoyl peroxide can lead to irritation, redness, and—you guessed it—more breakouts.

Fix It: Introduce new skincare products slowly and keep your routine simple. You don’t need a 12-step program to have good skin, just a few solid essentials.

4. Touching Your Face (Yes, Your Hands Are That Dirty)

Whether it’s picking at pimples, resting your chin in your hands, or scrolling your phone and then rubbing your face, you’re transferring bacteria everywhere.

Fix It: Keep your hands off your face. And while you’re at it, clean your phone screen and change your pillowcases regularly—your skin will thank you.

5. Ignoring Your Diet and Stress Levels

Skincare isn’t just about what you put on your skin—it’s also about what’s happening inside your body. Too much sugar, dairy, or processed foods can trigger breakouts, and stress? Well, stress hormones love to stir up acne drama.

Fix It: Balance your diet with skin-loving foods (hello, leafy greens and omega-3s) and find ways to manage stress, whether that’s yoga, journaling, or screaming into a pillow (we won’t judge).

Final Thoughts

Breakouts are annoying, but the good news? Most of them can be prevented with a few small changes. Keep your skincare routine balanced, be gentle with your skin, and pay attention to what your body is telling you. Your skin will clear up—and you’ll finally stop having to play detective with every new breakout!