10 Common Skin-Care Ingredients That Are Making You Break Out

Salicylic acid

Breakouts can be caused by a number of factors, including not taking your makeup off at night, not changing your pillowcase frequently, a diet of fatty, sugary foods, or the wrong skincare regimen for your skin type, according to Kerri Daniels, New York-based makeup artists and consultant at Rodan + Fields Dermatologists. While you may have grabbed products with salicylic acid as a teen, as it’s commonly found in drugstore cleansers and moisturizers targeted toward women with breakouts, salicylic acid can be too harsh on acne, causing inflammation, redness, and excessive dryness. Not ready to part with your favorite cleanser? Don’t worry, you can still use it strategically. “It can be used in small doses as spot treatments,” assures Daniels.