You’re using the correct products and you’ve got your cleansing routine down pat, so why on earth are you still breaking out? There are many skin mistakes we don’t even realise we’re making, are you guilty of any of these?
1. Clean your accessories:
There’s a lot of bacteria living on the screen of your cellphones, glasses and, believe it or not, your hats and head scarves! So why are these skin saboteurs? Bacteria from your face, hands and make-up are transferred onto these accessories and stay there. So the next time you put them near your clean face, the bacteria and grime is transferred right back onto your skin! To combat this, wash your hats and scarves regularly and wipe your cellphone screen and glasses with an antibacterial wipe.
2. Stay Away:
As tempting as it is to take a good long look at your skin and squeezing offending spots and blackheads, don’t. Popping pimples and blackheads pushes bacteria back into the skin, something you want to avoid when you’re breaking out. Go easy on the product application and exfoliation. Over cleansing and exfoliating destroy the protective layer of proteins and lipids on our skin that keep bacteria out. Once it’s destroyed it’s an open door for pimples to form on your skin. Try and limit your cleansing routine to a good face wash and moisturiser and gently exfoliate the skin twice a week.
3. Clean Up:
Just as you should never go to sleep with your make-up on, so too should you always wash your face in the morning. Leftovers from your night time products need to be washed away and, when mixed with the pollutants of the day, natural face oils can cause nasty breakouts. It’s also important to wash your body and face after a sweaty workout. Bacteria from your sweaty skin and clothing is a breeding ground for breakouts. If you’d rather shower at home and skip the gym locker room then take some cleansing wipes with you to the gym and wipe away any residue immediately after your workout and have a shower once you’re home.
4. Quit Today:
Not only is alcohol and junk food bad for our bodies, it also wreaks havoc on your skin. When our blood sugar spikes our body turns out acne-producing hormones. Super foods like leafy green veg and good fats from avow and nuts work wonders to clear up breakouts, so get munching. Alcohol can also make the skin blotchy and dry, not a good look on anyone. What accompanies alcohol is even worse. If you’re guilty of indulging in the odd cigarette or 10 then it’s time to stop. Smoking halts the production of collagen, the substance that makes your skin plump.
5. A Touch Too Much
A lot of the time we touch our faces without even noticing. The problem is that your hands are covered in bacteria, which is then transferred onto your face, as simple as that.
6. Pillow Talk:
This is one I didn’t originally ever consider but it makes perfect sense. Wash your pillowcases every week if you’re prone to pimples and breakouts. The oils from your skin, hair and swear are transferred onto your pillow as you sleep. The cycle is repeated every night, as the oils and bacteria from your pillowcase is then transferred back onto your skin.
7. Hair Raising:
Our haircare routine can affect our skin too, especially on your forehead. The oils from your hair is often transferred onto the skin, so be sure to wash your hair regularly. Also be mindful of the product you put on your hair as these can block pores and irritate your skin, causing breakouts. If you find you’re breaking out a lot on your forehead then try and switch your products up to something fragrance-free and gentle.
Are you guilty of committing any of these skin saboteurs? We want to hear what happened! Share below!