Why You Might Be Breaking Out After Washing Your Face

"Just wash your face more!"

If you've ever struggled with persistent acne before, you've heard this infuriating advice.

As if you haven't tried lots of different skincare products to solve your problem.

When I was a teenager dealing with acne, it felt like my pimples got even angrier after washing.

That was frustrating for me. I was sure I was doing everything right.

Turns out, sometimes it's supposed to happen. There's scientific reasons for that feeling.

Washing your face isn't the problem, but how and what you wash with.

Let's get into the causes and what you can do to make things better.

Why Washing Can Cause More Acne

Washing your face is the first part of any skincare routine. It's the foundation step that removes dirt, oil, sweat, makeup, and SPF.

It prevents clogged pores, reduces risk of breakouts, and creates a clean surface for other skincare and makeup.

If your skin breaks out more after washing, it's easy to pinpoint that as the cause.

But it's more than that: it could be the ingredients in your cleanser, how often you're washing, or even hormones.

Reason 1: Skin Purging vs. Breakouts

Skin purging is a short-term reaction that happens when you start using skincare products that accelerate the skin's turnover process.

This is common with retinoids, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and other exfoliants.

As cell turnover increases, trapped oil, dead skin cells, and other debris are pushed to the surface more quickly.

The difference between purging and a true breakout is that a purge is temporary. Once the buildup has cleared, the skin should calm down.

Regular acne is ongoing and stems from different issues like irritation and hormonal imbalances.

Reason 2: Comedogenic Ingredients

You might see the label “non-comedogenic” on skincare and makeup labels.

That means that the product won't clog pores, but this isn't a claim that isn't strictly regulated the way other labels are.

Companies can use that label even if the product contains ingredients that can trigger breakouts in some people.

It's more of a marketing claim than a guarantee, so it's important to look beyond the label and actually read the ingredients list, especially if you have acne-prone or sensitive skin.

Reason 3: Harsh Cleaning Agents

Many acne cleansers contain detergents and surfactants: ingredients responsible for creating a lather or foam.

Some of these can be too harsh for the skin.

These substances work by stripping away oil and debris, but in the process they also remove lipids and ceramides as collateral damage.

That compromises the skin barrier.

When the barrier is compromised, the skin becomes more vulnerable to dryness, irritation, and infection.

The skin then enters damage-control mode and produces excess sebum to compensate for the losses.

This rebound oiliness can clog pores and lead to even more breakouts.

To protect your skin, watch out for cleansers that contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), ammonium lauryl sulfate, alcohol denat, and fragrance.

If there are gentle, hydrating options available, opt for those instead.

Alternatively, you can patch test and slowly incorporate cleansers with those harsher ingredients into your routine to see how well you can handle them.

Reason 4: High pH Levels in Cleansers

Your skin has a naturally slightly acidic pH, ranging from 4.5 to 5.5.

This pH level helps maintain a healthy barrier and supports the growth of good bacteria.

It creates hydration, protection, and benefits the function of your skin.

But when you use a cleanser with a high pH (between 8 and 11), like a traditional bar soap or harsh foam wash, it can disrupt the balance.

The result is dry, inflamed, and vulnerable skin.

High-pH cleansers have a different feel. If the product creates a lot of foam or leaves your skin feeling overly tight after washing, it's probably too alkaline.

You'll want to look for something that leaves your skin feeling clean, but not dried up.

Reason 5: Overly Strong Active Ingredients

Actives like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids are common in acne fighting products for their ability to unclog pores, reduce inflammation, and fight bacteria.

But if these ingredients are too concentrated or used too frequently, they can worsen acne. If your toner has them along with your cleanser, that could be a problem.

Less is more with acne. You don't want to overload the skin with actives, just use one product that has them.

Better yet, choose a gentle cleanser and use spot treatments or leave-on products with actives to specifically target acne, not your entire face.

Reason 6: Overwashing and Over-Exfoliating

Washing your face in the morning and evening is enough to keep your skin clean without damaging it.

If you do anything that causes intense sweating, it's okay to wash after that too.

Washing more than you need to causes tightness, dryness, increased oiliness, redness, falking, and sensitivity.

For exfoliating the face, you can do it 1-3 times with gentle exfoliators, depending on what your skin can tolerate.

If you're unsure, just stick to once a month.

Reason 7: Other Underlying Triggers

Correlation does not equal causation, and not all breakouts that happen after washing your face are because of your cleanser.

There are underlying triggers for acne too.

One of them is hormonal acne, which usually appears on the jawline, chin, or cheeks, and tends to worsen as your period approaches.

Environmental factors like high humidity can cause more oil and sweat, while cold, dry weather can lead to dryness and irritation.

Both can cause acne, and transitioning between seasons can throw your skin off too.

There's also such a thing as friction acne.

Wearing face masks, helmets, hats, or tight workout gear traps heat, sweat, and bacteria against the skin.

If you notice acne coinciding with friction, switching to breathable materials and gently cleansing after sweating can prevent flare-ups.

What You Can Do Instead

Remedy 1: Choose a Gentle, Low-pH Cleanser

Making the switch to a gel cleanser instead of a foaming one might be the right move for you.

Though for some, it’s harder to feel like the gel is doing its job.

If you prefer foams, opt for something gentle with a low pH cleanser. Look for something fragrance-free, sulfate-free, and non-stripping too.

Remedy 2: Simplify Your Routine

When dealing with acne, it's tempting to slap a bunch of treatments on at once and hope it sticks.

But that can just make things worse.

It's better to simplify your routine to around 4 to 5 steps maximum, and slowly introduce products to your skin one at a time.

Focus on barrier care with ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, or centella asiatica.

These calm inflammation and strengthen your skin to make it more resilient against breaking out.

Remedy 3: Don’t Rely Solely on Cleansers

Cleansers are important, but once you rinse them off, they're gone along with the dirt they removed.

The acne fighting ingredients in cleansers are helpful, but they don't stick around for long.

Incorporate other products into your routine, such as toner, moisturizer, serum, or treatment to give your skin something it can absorb.

When to See a Dermatologist

Consider seeing a dermatologist if your acne:

• hasn't improved after weeks of consistent skincare
• has become painful, cystic, or widespread
• is negatively affecting your self confidence

These are all signs that your acne does not respond to OTC products and may need something stronger.

A dermatologist can help you identify the cause and prescribe treatments specifically tailored for you.

Getting professional help can prevent long-term damage and reduce scarring.

More acne after washing your face doesn't necessarily mean washing is the problem.

It's more likely that your routine needs some adjustment.

Small tweaks, even a single product swap, can make a big difference.

Remember to approach your skincare with gentleness and patience.

Clear skin doesn't happen overnight, but with consistent, informed care, you can find a routine that works for you over time.

With so many great options out there, it can feel overwhelming to choose.

Why not give our acne line a try to start?