Team Indulge
When breakouts appear, it’s easy to panic. You start layering cleansers, acids, and treatments, hoping for quick results. For a few days it feels like progress, then the stinging begins. The skin pulls tight, flakes appear, and you realise it’s had enough. Acne isn’t a battle to be won by force; sometimes, it’s a sign that your skin needs rest instead of more products.
That squeaky-clean feeling can seem satisfying, but it often means your skin’s barrier has been stripped. Natural oils keep your face balanced, and when they’re gone, irritation follows. A mild, low-foam cleanser is usually all you need. If your skin feels comfortable after washing, you’re on the right track.
When skin starts to flake, it’s trying to protect itself. Overusing exfoliants or spot treatments breaks down the surface, leaving it raw. Try pausing strong products for a few days and add a simple moisturiser instead. Healing skin doesn’t need much, just calm.
Redness is often your skin’s way of saying “enough”. Strong actives like retinoids or benzoyl peroxide can be effective, but they need gentle handling. Use them less often or switch to lower strengths. Improvement comes more steadily when the skin isn’t inflamed.
It sounds strange, but harsh routines can trigger more oil production. When the skin feels stripped, it compensates. A light moisturiser and balanced cleanser help bring things back to normal. The less your skin feels attacked, the more it behaves like itself.
Skincare doesn’t need to hurt to work. The goal isn’t perfect skin overnight, but healthy skin over time. When you stop fighting with it, the healing happens faster than you think. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is simplify — fewer steps, softer hands, slower results. Your skin will always tell you when you’ve gone too far; you just have to listen.