Ever had an unexpected breakout? I know I have, and it can be mind-boggling where those pesky blemishes are coming from. Who knows, maybe there's something you've overlooked that can be fixed- and thus solve your breakout problem in a jiffy!
1. Hair Products Around Your Hairline
Especially leave-in conditioner after a shower. Or hair gel. If you tend to break out on the perimeters of your face, hair products could easily be the culprit. Always wipe your skin clean all the way to the hairline after you wash or style your hair.
2. Your Hair Itself
Be it bangs or long locks, oily hair especially can transfer residue onto our face which can seep into your pores. Keep your hair clean and off your face if possible. Powder your face to protect your skin against the oil in your hair. And if oily hair is an extreme problem, carry a small bottle of dry shampoo to comb through the front locks in the middle of your day.
3. Your Cellphone
Cell phone screens tend to be sticky and dirt and oils will cling to them. Try not to press your cell phone against your face when you use it. A quick tip is to use the hand sanitizer in your purse to carefully wipe it clean.
4. A Dirty Pillow
How often do you wash your pillowcase? Once a week is ideal. Oil from our skin can build up in our pillowcases over-night and become a breeding ground for bacteria. Not grossed-out yet? Go smell your pillow. If you must have that "familiar scent" to lull you to sleep, hold another pillow (or stuffed animal I suppose) near you- but not against your face.
5. Cuddle Buddies
Any other person's face or skin touching yours will deposit foreign oils onto your skin. And sometimes rub them into your pores... Their hair can also be a culprit. As a makeup artist, I need to very careful about touching people's faces. It's not too big of a deal, but if little Sally has a nightmare and insists on holding you tight all night, just make sure you cleanse your face in the morning. :)
6. Mindless Touching of Your Own Face
Not only your hands carry their own oils, but a lot of other dirt from the things you've touched as well. If you have a habit of leaning your face into your hand, try leaning your neck onto your hand instead. You'll feel your weight right below your ear.
7. Sweat
After a workout, always take a quick minute to wipe your face, chest, back and any other acne-prone areas. Just take a washcloth and run it under some hot/ cold water in the restroom. It feels great to let your face air dry as you stretch and cool down.
8. Contaminated Lotions
This one is a biggie. If you have any facial products in a jar or pot, and your using your finger to scoop it out, it's probably contaminated. Our fingernails carry a lot of germs, and lotions are wonderful places for them to grow and multiply.
I once had mysterious breakout all over my face soon after I started using a night cream in a jar. I tossed it and bought a new one that I only use sanitized scoopers with. All my acne cleared up within a couple days.
This can be anything- a small plastic spoon, metal teaspoon, even that red stick you find in a handy snacks package. Keep a small spray bottle of alcohol handy to give it a split-second spritz before scooping out product.
9. Picking at Your Face
Using your fingernails is a huge no-no. It's like asking for acne. They're filled with germs and you're basically scraping your skin open and rubbing germs in. If you must extract, use a blemish extracting tool sanitized with a spritz of alcohol. Or cover each finger with a clean tissue. But even then, irritating an area that does not need to be extracted can cause a blemish to appear. This has happened to me many times. If it is a bad habit, try promising yourself not to pick at your face for three days.
10. Diet
Eating greasy, fried or just plain unhealthy food can make you more prone to breakouts. Or you may have a mild allergy to something. If this is a concern for you, try keeping a food diary and see if there are any connections to what you eat and any breakouts.
Hope this helped you to see if you have any hidden breakout triggers! Now you can feel more confident that you taking good care of the beautiful face God gave you. <3
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