One of the most frustrating things we hear from acne clients in our Union and Chapin office’s is this:
"I’m doing everything right—so why am I still breaking out?"

The truth is, sometimes the very products you’re using to help your skin are the ones making it worse. From pore-clogging ingredients to overuse of harsh actives, it’s easy to unintentionally create a routine that’s doing more harm than good.

At About Face Aesthetics, our job is to take the guesswork out of skincare. Here’s how to tell if your products might be making your acne worse—and how we can help you reset your routine.

1. You’re Using Comedogenic Products (Even the “Clean” Ones)

Not all skincare is acne-safe—even the ones that say “non-comedogenic” on the label. Some of the most common breakout triggers are hidden in moisturizers, sunscreens, and even “clean” or organic products.

Watch out for ingredients like:

• Coconut oil
  
  
• Shea butter
  
  
• Algae extract
  
  
• Isopropyl myristate
  
  
• Lanolin
  
  

These can block pores and trigger breakouts, especially on acne-prone or oily skin. The hard part? These ingredients are often found in products marketed as nourishing or gentle.

When you come in for a consultation, we’ll go through your current skincare lineup to flag what’s helping and what’s hurting. We also recommend only medical-grade skincare proven to support healthy, balanced skin—without the hidden culprits.

You can explore the options we trust in our Shop Skin Care store.

2. You’re Over-Exfoliating

Scrubs, glycolic pads, AHA cleansers, retinoids… if you’re using all of them at once, you may be damaging your skin barrier. When your barrier becomes compromised, your skin responds with redness, inflammation, flakiness—and often, more breakouts.

Over-exfoliation is a major reason adult acne persists, even with a “good” routine. We see this all the time during our custom skincare consultations, especially in clients trying to fix texture or prevent aging.

The solution? A smarter, gentler plan tailored to your skin type, your acne pattern, and your lifestyle.

3. You’re Missing Core Acne-Fighting Ingredients—Or Using Them Wrong

Not all acne is the same. You may need salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, a retinoid, or none of those at all. But the order, timing, and balance of your products matter.

We frequently see:

• Retinoids layered with the wrong moisturizer (or none at all)
  
  
• Too much salicylic acid stripping the skin and increasing oil production
  
  
• Spot treatments overused, causing more inflammation
  
  

When we design your skincare plan, we help you simplify, not complicate. Just a few key steps with the right ingredients can change everything—and we make sure you’re using them in the right way.

4. You’re Not Matching Products to Your In-Office Treatments

Your skin responds best when your at-home products are designed to support your in-office treatments. Whether you’re getting microneedling, IPL or chemical peels, your skincare should enhance healing—not delay it.

Medical-grade skincare is formulated for exactly this reason. And because we know how your skin will react post-treatment, we’ll walk you through a recovery and maintenance routine that maximizes your results without irritation.

5. You’re Trying to Copy Someone Else’s Routine

This is a big one. Skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all—especially when it comes to acne. Just because a product worked for your friend or your favorite influencer doesn’t mean it will work for your skin.

Our Union and Chapin clients often come in after months (or years) of trial-and-error. The biggest difference they notice after working with us? Clarity. Direction. And finally—results.

Let’s Build a Routine That Works for You

You don’t need 10 steps. You just need the right 3–5 that work together and support your skin through every season, every stressor, and every stage of healing.



If you’re ready to stop guessing and start healing, book your consultation and let’s create a routine that’s personalized, effective, and designed just for your skin.