Rebound Effect in Skincare – Causes, Prevention, and How to Repair the Skin Barrier
- lelyacosmeticsuk
- Feb 10
- 4 min read
What Is the Rebound Effect and Why Does It Occur?
The rebound effect is a phenomenon in which the skin worsens after discontinuing skincare products or medications that were supposed to improve its condition. It occurs when long-term skincare disrupts the hydrolipid barrier, weakens the skin’s microbiome, and causes dependency on active ingredients.
The Hidden Triggers in Your Daily Skincare Routine
This effect occurs not only with topical glucocorticosteroids (GCS) but also with widely used skincare and dermocosmetic products containing strong active substances. Some products, while providing initial benefits, may lead to chronic skin irritation, excessive sebum production, or microbiome disruption with prolonged use.
✔ Strong anti-acne substances – e.g., benzoyl peroxide, AHA/BHA acids, retinoids. They work effectively at first but can cause skin dehydration and hypersensitivity.
✔ Highly drying products – e.g., cleansers with SLS, denatured alcohol, alkaline soaps, which disrupt the hydrolipid barrier.
✔ Topical antibiotics – e.g., clindamycin, erythromycin, which alter the skin’s microbiome over time and contribute to antibiotic resistance.
✔ Aggressive dermatological treatments – e.g., excessive chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or laser therapy, which may cause dehydration and hypersensitivity.
The Vicious Cycle of Harsh Skincare – Why Your Skin Keeps Getting Worse
✔ Initial improvement – the skin appears smoother, less oily, pores shrink, and breakouts are reduced.
✔ Gradual skin dependency – prolonged use of aggressive substances weakens the hydrolipid barrier, making the skin more susceptible to irritation and infections.
✔ Sudden worsening after discontinuation – the skin reacts with excess sebum production, dehydration, redness, and new acne breakouts.
Microbiome Disruption and why it matters?
The skin microbiome is a collection of beneficial bacteria that play a crucial role in protecting the skin from pathogens and regulating sebum production. Excessive use of aggressive skincare products disrupts this balance, leading to:
✔ Excess sebum production as a defensive reaction
✔ Weakening of the skin’s natural defense mechanisms
✔ Increased susceptibility to inflammation
✔ Persistent acne breakouts
Impact of Microbiota on the Skin and Acne
📌 Scientific studies show that skin microbiome disruption increases the risk of acne.📌 Benzoyl peroxide can significantly reduce microbiota diversity, weakening natural skin defenses.
📌 Gut microbiota imbalance (dysbiosis) also affects the skin condition, leading to inflammation and worsening of acne symptoms.
How to Truly Repair the Skin Barrier?
Trust Your Skin and Allow It to Regenerate
Your skin has natural defense mechanisms and the ability to self-repair. To support them, consider:
✔ Avoiding over-drying – skip harsh gels and soaps that strip the skin of its protective barrier.
✔ Limiting active ingredients – using too many skincare products at once may weaken the skin instead of helping it.
✔ Strengthening the hydrolipid barrier – incorporate plant oils rich in essential fatty acids and bioactive compounds to enhance moisture retention.
✔ Gradually reducing aggressive substances – retinoids and acids should be discontinued slowly, allowing the skin to adjust.
✔ Ensuring hydration – even oily skin needs moisture to function properly.
✔ Avoiding excessive disinfection – strong antibacterial agents eliminate both harmful and beneficial bacteria.
✔ Incorporating probiotic skincare – prebiotics and probiotics in cosmetics help restore skin microbiome balance.
✔ Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle – avoiding processed foods, sugar, and stress benefits skin health.
Our Toning Oil – Natural Support for Acne-Prone Skin and more.
To help restore skin balance and prevent the rebound effect, we created a toning oil based on best natural ingredients for acne-prone skin. This unique blend of plant and essential oils supports skin health and restores its balance.
🌿 Regulates sebum production – Laurel oil has antibacterial and normalizing effects. It contains eugenol, cineole, geraniol, and pinene, which have strong antibacterial properties, support acne treatment, and reduce Cutibacterium acnes.
🌿 Supports skin regeneration – Tamanu oil, rich in calophyllic acid, kallophylloidin, oleic acid, and linoleic acid, has strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, speeding up wound healing and acne recovery.
🌿 Strengthens the hydrolipid barrier – Jojoba oil mimics natural skin sebum, preventing dryness. With high wax ester content, vitamin E, and phytosterols, it improves elasticity and helps maintain moisture levels.
🌿 Provides antioxidant protection – Grape seed oil and CO₂ rosemary extract neutralize free radicals, preventing premature aging. Resveratrol, linoleic acid, and proanthocyanidins in grape seed oil have anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties.
🌿 Soothes irritation and inflammation – Lavender and CO₂ rosemary oils aid skin recovery and have anti-inflammatory properties. Linalool, linalyl acetate, carnosic acid, and diterpenes improve microcirculation, reduce redness, and support cellular regeneration.
🌿 Restores skin elasticity and hydration – Rosewood oil has moisturizing and regenerating effects. It is rich in linalool, geraniol, nerol, and terpineol, which have antibacterial, antiseptic, and skin-healing properties.
How to Use it?
✔ For sensitive skin (4% laurel oil) – a gentle formula for reactive skin. Can be used daily or 2-3 times a week.
✔ For combination skin (10% laurel oil) – balances dry and oily areas. Best applied at night.
✔ For oily and acne-prone skin (15% laurel oil) – a potent formula that helps control sebum and breakouts. Use morning and evening.
Application Steps:
1️⃣ Cleanse your skin – start with a mild cleanser.
2️⃣ Apply the oil – dispense a few drops onto a cotton pad or directly onto your hands.
3️⃣ Swipe over your face – focusing on problem areas.
4️⃣ Let it absorb – do not rinse.
5️⃣ Follow with your next skincare step – serum, moisturizer, or facial oil.
💡 Extra Uses: Can also be applied to dry patches, elbows, knees, or irritated areas for additional soothing and hydration (e.g. eczema, psoriasis).
Final Thoughts
📌 The rebound effect can occur not only with medical treatments (e.g., corticosteroids) but also with daily use of aggressive skincare products.
📌 Over-drying leads to a vicious skincare cycle – initial improvement may result in long-term skin damage.
📌 Restoring the skin’s microbiome and hydrolipid barrier is key to achieving healthy, balanced skin.
✨ Balanced skin is healthy skin – natural skincare is the key to restoration! ✨
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