Unintentional Ways You’re Giving Yourself Acne
w/ tips and tricks on how to avoid it
When it comes to our skin, it’s safe to say that we like to keep things as clear as possible. But the harsh reality is that most of us know what it’s like to experience a breakout, even long after our hormonal teenage years are behind us. Today I want to talk about the unintentional ways you’re giving yourself acne, and tips for how to avoid them, in an effort to achieve our clearest, most beautiful skin yet!
You Own a Smartphone – Or any cell phone at all, for that matter. Think about it, you are constantly typing out a text, searching the web, or swiping through photos on your screen, and then you press your phone against your face for that important (or casual) phone call. Your phone picks up dirt and oil from your fingers, and dirt, oil, and makeup from your face, making it a rather dirty thing to push up against your skin. You can easily combat this by cleaning your cell phone (or cell phone cover) regularly. You can simply wipe down your case with a wet wipe (this can also be done with your phone, but carefully to avoid any potential water damage), or hand sanitizer on a Kleenex. Even if your phone doesn’t look “dirty,” remember, you can’t see bacteria!
You Aren’t Careful With Your Makeup & Makeup Tools – A dirty makeup brush or old eye shadow pan can do much more damage than you think. Much like your cell phone, these products are a fantastic place to harbor dirt, oil, dead skin cells, bacteria, and more. I recommend cleaning your brushes at least once a week, and wiping the surface layer of eye shadow, blush, or foundation pans with a Kleenex and some rubbing alcohol as well. Yes, you may loose a little product in the process, but it will help ensure that your skin is not exposed to unnecessary dirt, oil, and bacteria.
You Are What You Eat – If you love to indulge in high-fat, high-sugar, or greasy food options on a regular basis, you can expect to see a reflection of these unhealthy choices on your skin. While altering your diet and opting for healthier options may not nix acne completely, you should be able to observe a positive change in your skin. Opt for lower fat, lower sugar options, and eat whole foods whenever possible.
You Are Touching Your Face – Remember how I mentioned dirt, oil, and bacteria love your fingers? Well, if you are touching your face, they will happily transfer there as well, causing you a breakout.
It is also essential to remember not to fester existing pimples, as you will likely only cause further irritation and scarring.
If a pimple is causing you serious distress, give your esthetician or dermatologist a phone call!
Stress – When you experience stress, especially chronic stress, your Cortisol levels will become elevated. Not only is this negative for your overall health, but it also has been shown to increase oil production, resulting in clogged pores.
Handling stress is a very personal thing, but it is important to recognize the signs of chronic stress and take steps to try to improve your mood. This can be as simple as finding an hour a day for yourself (reading, walking, meditating, your choice). No matter how you go about it, be sure to take care of yourself.
Your Skin Care Products – Yes, the products you purchased to improve your skin can indeed be causing you to break out. Look for products labeled as non-comedogenic and oil free, and always ask your esthetician for recommendations based on your skin type. Remember, what works beautifully for one person may not necessarily work well for you.
Different ingredients work better for different types of breakouts, and the location of acne on your face can also be a huge indicator of what is causing your breakouts.
You Aren’t Cleansing – Everyone should cleanse! This essential step helps to rid your skin of dirt, oil, makeup, and bacteria, leaving a fresh base so skincare products can be properly absorbed. If you struggle with acne, staying diligent about cleansing AM and PM can make all the difference. Look for formulas that are designed to treat acne. Vivant Skin Care’s Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Wash is a fantastic option for cleansing, soothing current breakouts, and preventing future ones.
Hair Care Products – That nourishing product you put on your luscious locks may be doing serious good for your hair, but it can be doing a serious disservice to your skin. Indeed, many hair care products contain pore-clogging ingredients, and can easily transfer there when your hair is down and touching your face. If you have not already fallen in love with a more natural alternative, I highly recommend you do so! Argan oil is a fabulous option, with many brands offering formulas that are beneficial to both your strands and your skin!
Your Clothes – If you are experiencing back or chest acne, you may want to consider your clothes. While these types of breakouts are often hormonal, they can also be caused by dirt and oil that has built up on clothes that are not frequently washed (a hoodie, for instance). Sweat and friction caused by exercise can also be a culprit of chest and back breakouts.
Your Pillowcase – I’m sure you are starting to notice a trend here; anything that frequently touches your face or hair can be a culprit. I know what you are thinking: “I wash my face every night and hit the pillow with clean hair/skin.” While you may be doing all you should be, your skin care product (and natural skin oil) will accumulate on your pillowcase faster than you think, making a fresh pillowcase a must-have. Try replacing your pillowcases at least once a week for optimal results.
If this method does not work, and you are still experiencing breakouts, you might also want to consider if you may be having a reaction to your fabric softener or detergent.