The Problem with Acne-Safe Lists

There's a pattern I've noticed lately. When I have a new client, I review all their products. 

Here's what I've noticed over and over again: someone is using all acne-safe products - either from the acne-safe list I provide, or products that they've run through an online pore-clogging checker. When I review everything, their products do check out as “safe."

Yet, they're still breaking out.

Why is this? 
For most people with acne, the process of initially clearing your skin requires a few more steps besides just avoiding pore-clogging ingredients. You need to consider things like:

• Is there something in your diet causing breakouts?

• Are you taking acne-causing vitamins and supplements?

• Is your protein shake a trigger?

• Are you drinking energy drinks?

• Is your makeup brush cleaner clogging?

• What about your laundry products?

• Are you taking the wrong birth control?

If there are any other acne triggers happening in your lifestyle, even the best acne-safe products won't work, and you'll waste months struggling with your skin. 

I have an Acne-Safe List that includes makeup, skincare, hair care, laundry items, and some food brands. It's a resource I share with anyone who asks, and it's helped many people maintain clear skin.

But there's one big problem with my list:

It's not a place you should start your acne journey. It's meant to help you maintain results once your skin is already clear.
 

If you're dealing with acne and don't mind experimenting, you might find some success using this list as a guide. But if you have stubborn acne or want your skin clear quickly, jumping into a long list of products—even if they're "acne-safe"—can actually set you back.

Why? Because product formulations change. Often.

Companies change their product ingredients without any announcement. That means a product that's acne-safe today might not be safe tomorrow. 

For anyone who doesn't have acne, you would never notice the change. But if you do have acne, this means the difference between clear skin…and breakouts. 

Let's take a look: 
In just the past month, I've seen several products from my own acne-safe list change from approved, to not:

All of these were safe options a month ago. Now, they're causing breakouts.

The other issue:
All online pore-clogging ingredient checkers are different. For example, I took one product and ran it through 3 different online checkers - and got 3 different results! Try it for yourself and see what happens. 

So, what's the best approach?

Start with clear skin first. This is so important, because it will eliminate all other variables. 

Use products that are guaranteed to be acne-safe (like Clearology Skincare, and PRIIA cosmetics). Stick with these products until your acne is gone. Once your skin has been clear for a few months, then experiment by adding one new product at a time. That way, if you start breaking out again, you'll know exactly what's causing it.

Otherwise, you'll be back to square-one: wondering what's causing your breakouts and stuck on the acne roller-coaster. 

The takeaway?

There's nothing wrong with using an acne-safe list. It can be really helpful—after your skin is already clear.

But if you're still breaking out, my recommendation is starting with clear skin. Not experimenting with products. 

Once you have results, you're happy with, you can test new products one at a time and know exactly what's causing a breakout, if it happens.

That's how you stop guessing and start making real progress.