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Why do I still get acne despite following gentle skin care?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am using gentle skincare products and experiencing breakouts while using them. At first, I thought it was normal, but for the past several weeks, the breakouts have kept coming back.

Kindly advise.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Thank you for sharing the concern, and I am really glad that you reached out. It is completely understandable how upsetting and frustrating it can feel when proper skin care is followed, but breakouts keep returning. This situation can feel discouraging and confusing, especially when gentle products are being used with the expectation of improvement.

Based on the description provided, it is important to understand that breakouts can still occur even when mild or gentle skin care products are used. This does not necessarily mean that anything is being done incorrectly. Sometimes, when new products are introduced, the skin may initially react or go through a phase known as purging, which usually settles within four to six weeks.

However, since the breakouts are persistent and recurring, it is possible that the skin is not tolerating one or more products well. There may also be underlying factors such as acne-prone skin, clogged pores, hormonal fluctuations, which are very common at this age, stress, or environmental factors such as humidity and sweat.

Another possible reason is that some products labelled as gentle can still be comedogenic, meaning they can clog pores even if they do not irritate. It is advisable to read product labels carefully and check whether they are labelled as non-comedogenic.

Over-cleansing, frequent switching of products, or the use of heavy moisturizers or sunscreens can also trigger breakouts. In addition, lifestyle factors such as irregular sleep, stress, diet, or touching and picking at the skin can silently contribute to acne without being noticed.

At this stage, it is recommended to keep the skin care routine simple and consistent. This includes using a mild cleanser twice daily, a lightweight non-comedogenic moisturizer, and a sunscreen suitable for acne-prone skin.

Scrubs, harsh treatments, and the use of multiple new products at the same time should be avoided. If the breakouts are painful, inflamed, leave marks, or affect confidence, prescription-strength topical medications may be required.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.

Answered byDr. Misha Saghir

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At March 24, 2026
Reviewed AtMarch 24, 2026

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