Dealing with stubborn breakouts and acne can sometimes seem like a never-ending, uphill battle. Just as you think your skin is about to clear up, a new intruder sets up camp. The good news is that a great deal of acne flare-ups are environmental and/or dietary, so with a little education and a lot of dedication, you can manage breakouts by avoiding these things:
- Touching your face a lot. We get it – it’s just a nervous habit. However, your fingers and hands are crawling with germs, bacteria, dirt and oils. Trust us, you really don’t want those nasties anywhere near your pores. Breaking this habit can be very difficult, but it’s worth the effort. Side note: your phone is probably the germiest (is that a word?!) thing you own, so putting that baby up against your cheek is definitely not helping the cause.
- Over-washing your face. Contrary to popular belief, your acne is not punishment for being dirty. So long as you’re not touching you face a lot (hint: see above!) or sweating profusely, you only need to wash your face twice a day: once in the morning and once before bed. Over-washing can cause dryness and irritation, while disrupting the pH balance of your skin.
- Under-washing your face. Okay it’s getting complicated here…we said don’t over-wash your face, and now we’re saying don’t under-wash your face. Taking a nod from Goldilocks, we’re looking for juuust the right amount of face washing. For the athletic folks, that means washing your face immediately after a workout, a practice or a game.
- Tanning. Let’s get one thing straight: there are many reasons not to tan (melanoma, pre-mature again, sun spots, you’re beautiful the way you are, etc., etc.) but tanning also aggravates acne. Tanned skin is not healthy. Tanning also increases oil production to an unnatural level.
- Picking. See aforementioned reference to tough habits to break. However, picking at your face will potentially leave long-lasting scars, as well as introduce bacteria into affected areas, causing a never-ending cycle.
- Skipping laundry. Mom’s right – you should do your laundry. Specifically, you need to wash your pillowcases twice a week when battling breakouts. Oils from your hair can transfer to your pillowcase and end up on your face.
- Eating desserts. A little sweetness here and there won’t kill you, but a diet high in refined sugars causes nothing but inflammation. Inflammation is your worst enemy when battling breakouts. To satisfy your sweet tooth, opt for healthy desserts like berries.
The perfect balance of proper skin care can be tough to achieve. However, with a little willpower and a dedicated, easy-to-follow skin care regimen, you will be well on your way to clearer, healthier skin. Check out GR8/SKN’s skin type guide to determine the best regimen for you.