Updated 05/09/23. If you currently experience a lot of breakouts or you used to in your younger years, you should consider yourself lucky (yes, you read that right!). I wholeheartedly believe this to be true, and there’s even a scientific study to back it up. Keep reading to learn all about the unexpected benefits of acne!
The Upside of Acne
I’ve been an esthetician working hands-on with clients for over 30 years now, and one thing I have found to be true is this—those who make their skin a priority and take care of it day in and day out are the ones who often have the best-looking skin in their adult years. In my experience, those who excel at this are often the ones who had a history of breakouts in their younger years.
Why is this? Well, if you’re someone who has struggled with your skin, you’re most likely super diligent about taking care of it, since ignoring it will only make breakouts worse. Sleeping with makeup on? Nope. That surely doesn’t happen for someone who is prone to breakouts. How about using any low-quality skincare product? Nope. That certainly won’t work either.
People who experience regular breakouts are also most likely to put their skin in the hands of an expert, consulting an esthetician or dermatologist early on. This is invaluable (regardless of whether or not you have breakouts)—especially if you follow their advice and stick to a consistent routine.
Good Habits Last a Lifetime
In the process of dealing with your skin concerns, you surely picked up some really good habits. Maybe you pay attention to skincare ingredients and only use high-quality products formulated specifically for your skin type. You might be super diligent about sticking to your morning and nighttime routine. You possibly go in for regular facials.
Knowing this, it makes sense that many people who become estheticians used to struggle with breakouts in their youth. They developed a passion for skincare and wanted to help others address the problems they personally encountered (I know so many estheticians like this).
On the flip side, I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met who never had any breakouts and therefore barely took care of their skin (or, at the very least, weren’t very consistent about it). This lack of care often begins to show once they get into their 40s when they see dull skin and premature lines and wrinkles form.
So, while it may be frustrating that you’re dealing with acne now, know that breakouts will come and go (as will the discolored marks left behind), but adopting good skincare habits will last a lifetime. Trust me, the rewards will pay off in the long run.
What Studies Have Shown About Acne
According to this study, people who have previously suffered from acne tend to have longer telomeres in their white blood cells compared to those with perfect skin. These telomeres―sometimes referred to as protective caps―help keep chromosomes from deteriorating. As a result, these cells may be better insulated against aging. Pretty cool, right?
So there you have it, two solid reasons why acne may just end up working in your favor!
What to Do If You’re Currently Dealing With Breakouts
If you’re someone who is in the midst of dealing with breakouts, I completely understand how real the struggle is. When you’re in the middle of it, sometimes it feels like the road to clear skin is completely obscured. The first thing I always tell people is that acne is a disease for which there is no known cure. I don’t say this to discourage anyone, just to help people understand what’s realistic and how they should set their expectations.
However, just because acne can’t always be eradicated doesn’t mean it can’t be successfully managed. I’ve helped more clients with acne than with any other skin condition, and it’s so gratifying to put them on the right path and watch all their hard work pay off. I’ve published a lot of advice for managing breakouts throughout the years, including the science behind breakouts and how to prevent adult hormonal breakouts.
I also highly recommend scheduling a consultation with someone who will personalize your skincare routine or, if your breakouts are severe, seeing a dermatologist. Severe breakouts can lead to indented scarring that lasts a lifetime, and a dermatologist will be able to start you on a prescription retinoid to help prevent this.
Next, make sure you’re not falling for these 35 skincare myths and mistakes.
Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real-world solution — products that are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives around the globe, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research are why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”
Comments:
I was wondering what you thought of derma rollers? are they good for acne and acne scars?
Posted By: Emily |
The professional derma pen treatments done at a dermatologist’s office can be effective for acne scars (the ones that are indented in the skin). As for the rollers used at home, it is way too stimulating to use for current acne but as for scarring with indents in the skin, I haven’t seen people have a lot of improvement. If the scarring you are referring to is simply red or dark discoloration, use my Post-Breakout Fading Gel. It works very well.
Posted By: Renée Rouleau |
If you do the Retin-A route, make sure you are using a product that doesn’t have pore-clogging inactive ingredients!!!! I was on Atralin for a couple of years before switching to the generic because my insurance company offered me the generic for no copay for 6 months… And it clogged my pores up pretty bad in about 3 weeks. Skin was bumpy. Now I’m on Absorica (Accutane/isotretinoin) and seeing improvement over what my Atralin and Aczone were able to do.
Posted By: Rita |
And I didn’t have pore-clogging issues while on Atralin
Posted By: Rita |
I just took your quiz and it says I have type 5 skin. My skin is very dry (NY weather) and for the past month or so, have been very dry, flaky and I’ve had terrible breakout on my chin with peeling skin, up into my lower cheeks. I’ve tried everything! I never use cleansers or moisturizers with fragrance and usually don’t use face powders or foundations. I’ve tried Alba brand and Origins and am currently using Jane Iredale powder to hide some redness and blemishes from these everyday white heads that pop up. They’re easy to remove but leave behind redness. I have eliminated dairy and nothing else has changed in my diet. Can you help, please?! Are my cleansers too harsh and drying out my skin, perhaps?! Thank you.
Posted By: Allison |
It’s hard to say why your skin is acting so unbalanced but my best guess is that your skin is simply not getting what it needs with your current skincare regimen. It sounds like it’s time for a new strategy. The skin type 5 routine is really nice and should be very helpful in balancing out your sensitive skin.
Posted By: Renée Rouleau |
Acne now has a good side. That’s pretty interesting to know. Thank you for this post.
Posted By: Vicki W |
Hi Renee!
I’ve been using your type 2 skincare products for almost 2 years (I’m 41) and retinol (Differin) 2-3x/week at night. My skin is oily in T-zone, I have clogged pores and am irritated by harsh products. For the last few months Ive been getting large cysts around my jawline and chin so recently I’ve increased Differin to every night and switched to your #3 skincare products – which are now making my skin red, dry and irritated and am not sure what to do??? Please help!
Posted By: Trish |
Hello Trish! I’m actually writing about this very thing for my blog that will post in about two weeks. Simply put, Differin does nothing for inflamed acne such as cysts so you won’t be able to get any benefit, other than irritation which is a sign that you’re using it more than your skin can handle. You’re much better off using a specialized spot treatment formulated for cysts like this one.
Posted By: Renée Rouleau |
Thanks ! Can you give me some insight into what I should be using? I’m on Type 2 products and am wondering if they’re no longer working for me??
Posted By: Trish |
It’s hard for me to comment without knowing the details of your skin. My thought is to incorporate the Anti Cyst to treat and prevent the cysts. You can use it as a spot treatment once cysts appear AND as a preventative treatment by applying a few times a week in areas prone to cysts. If cysts are your issue right now, regular acne products don’t really address cysts, they are better for more surface, traditional blemishes so switching to like a skin type #3 won’t really help. You can call our 800# or email customer service for assistance or maybe it’s time to set up a virtual consultation with one of our estheticians to go into great depth. You can do that at MySkinPrescription.com We’ve got you covered!
Posted By: Renée Rouleau |
OH MY…sorry…one more thing. I should mention that the cleanser I was trying is a cleansing cream (Ponds) so maybe I should be making sure that it is removed thoroughly?
Posted By: g |
Also, forgot to mention that I’m 33, female fair complexion.
Posted By: g |
Why would a product cause whiteheads? I tried using a cleanser and started off using it only on my chin area to be safe and test it out. But, I started to notice that after I would us it, the next day I would have more whiteheads. If I wouldn’t use it then I wouldn’t have as many if any at all. They were not big or under the skin, just surface and could easily be removed. I do have breakout prone skin so it’s not that this is not something that doesn’t happen but it’s just a little more than usuall. But I’m wondering if it’s really not the product and just coincidental or maybe the product is cleaning out my skin and so it’s bringing it to the surface and I should give it more time? I have combination skin that’s breakout prone in the tzone but only white and black heads nothing big. Also, I get red easily and flaky. Thanks!
Posted By: g |
It sounds like the cleanser is not agreeing with you. Cleansing creams can be very problematic for people and cause this. Here’s a good post for you to read that might be kind of helpful https://blog.reneerouleau.com/acne-cosmetica-cause-bumps-breakouts/
Posted By: Renée Rouleau |
I forgot to mention, I’m 21, live in slightly humid climate, never fly, and always wear mineral sunscreen as of the last few years.
Posted By: Alex |
Hi, Renée! I really enjoyed this article, as I’ve been struggling with some clogged pores and breakouts recently. I’ve taken the skin type quiz and it tells me I’m type 9, which sounds accurate (I have sensitive skin that is easily irritated by harsh products or fragrances, my skin is dry year-round, and can become dehydrated in the the winter, and I have flushing rosacea. However, my skin produces a very slight amount of oil on my forehead only, and unless I exfoliate regularly, I get quite a lot of clogged pores that rarely turn into blemishes, but just hang out for months. I also have sun damage on my cheeks and nose from years of outdoor sports without sunscreen as a kid, and I do have dilated capillaries on the high points of both cheekbones. I have enlarged pores on my cheeks only and whenever I break out (almost always on my chin or jaw) the dark scars linger for a significant period of time. Does skin type 9 sound accurate, or do you think I am a different type because of the clogged pores?
Posted By: Alex |
Hi Alex, Thanks for all the details about your skin. For starters, you’re definitely not a skin type 9. The reason for this is because since you get clogged pores and you get a little bit of oil all mean that there is some oil production in your skin. Oil is what causes clogged pores so people who have truly dry skin generally won’t experience this. I definitely get that you feel dry and your skin gets irritated easily but at 21, a skin type 9 is just too much for your skin. I think you’re a skin type 5, for sure. What you might also consider is getting our AHA/BHA Cleansing Gel also, and washing with that a few times a week after the skin type 5 cleanser (Gentle Gel Cleanser) in your problem areas. I think that will make the skin type #5 routine a bit more acne focused without worrying about drying out your skin.
Posted By: Renée Rouleau |
Thanks so much for your help! Now that I am looking at it, skin type 5 does seem like a much better fit. I’ll definitely try the AHA/BHA Cleansing Gel. Thanks again!
Posted By: Alex |