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If we can all agree on something, it’s that breaking out is a total pain. After all, we’ve all had to deal with an embarrassing zit (or 20) at some point in our lives. Acne can start as early as the age of 12 and can pop up well into our 40s. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne affects up to 50 million Americans every year.
Acne can range from mild cases, from a pimple or two, to more severe breakouts, like deep-rooted cystic acne. Without treatment, acne can leave dark spots and sometimes even permanent scarring and uneven skin. It’s no wonder why that in 2010, people spent more than $3 billion on acne treatment; by 2017, people coughed up a stunning $4.1 billion, according to Grand View Research.
Unless you’re incredibly lucky, it’s not that easy to stop breaking out. So what causes it exactly? For starters, acne occurs when a thick, oily substance called sebum secretes from oil glands, mixes with dead skin, clogs the pores, and forms at the surface as a pimple. Unfortunately, there are other things in your day-to-day routine that can cause this to happen. It can be especially hard to crack down on sudden breakouts. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here are 15 reasons why your acne might be acting up.
When you start to feel like you are breaking out, your first instinct may be to grab your go-to spot treatment ASAP. But it turns out your acne products may be working against you.
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If you use too much or too often, it can over dry and irritate your skin, causing more acne or hyperpigmentation, according to Teen Vogue. Give your skin a break every once in a while, and don’t attack a new zit with every acne product in your cabinet.
It’s that time of the month again. Maybe you’re feeling extra moody and experiencing some cramps. You may also have a few unwelcome guests, AKA dreaded period acne. According to Flo, during menstrual cycles, women experience shifts in hormone levels.
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Unfortunately, it’s all too common, as more than 60 percent of women experience period acne.
It’s not every day that you think to clean your makeup brushes, but maybe you should.
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Ideally, you want to clean your brushes after every use. If you don’t have time to give your brushes a daily cleanse, shoot for doing a light cleaning with warm water and gentle soap at least once a week to keep breakouts to a minimum.
Using a face scrub to exfoliate as part of your routine can be great for your skin. Do it too much, however, and it could cause breakouts.
“When you do exfoliating correctly, it can help to rid acne by clearing out dead skin cells that clog pores,” celebrity skin expert and registered nurse Jamie Sherrill told HuffPost. “But when you’re overdoing it, you’re also getting rid of all those healthy skin cells, which protect your skin’s natural barrier.”
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Avoid physical exfoliants when you are actively breaking out, as these can spread the acne-causing bacteria all over your face.
If it feels like you’re doing everything right and your acne isn’t going away, you might want to wash your pillowcase.
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Try making a habit of changing your pillowcase at least once a week to minimize any acne flare-ups.
We love hats. They’re cute and can protect you from the sun, but if you notice a few zits on your forehead after wearing them, it might not be a coincidence.
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If you do decide to wear your hat a lot, try washing it more!
If you make time to go to the gym or do a quick workout at home, props to you! It makes you feel good inside and out, plus exercise is a great stress reliever.
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After working up a sweat, it can mix with oil, dirt, and makeup and seep into your pores, according to Bustle. So make sure to shower and wash your face right after working out to keep your skin from breaking out! It also helps if you take off your makeup before your next workout sesh.
You might be safe from post-workout acne if you shower right after, but there’s something else in your bathroom that could be causing acne: your hair products.
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These ingredients can cause buildup, which can cause breakouts on your face or back. If you need a heavy conditioner, consider investing in a body wash that can help break down this product buildup.
Nope, we’re not done with acne-causing shower habits yet. If it’s not when you shower or what you’re using in the shower that’s causing breakouts, it could be the water itself.
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But there are shower attachments you can get to filter your shower water if you think it might have an effect on your skin. Water Right Group has a great method to test whether or not you have hard water.
Anyone who’s been on an airplane can tell you how dry the air is when you travel. New York City-based dermatologist Patricia Wexler told Allure that humidity typically drops to 20 percent more than normal levels. The dry air can cause your skin to go haywire.
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Be sure to chemically exfoliate your skin and apply the proper moisturizer before hopping on your next adventure. Drink plenty of water, too!
It might be a nervous habit or you could have something on it, but either way, touching your face frequently could be the reason why you’re breaking out.
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According to HuffPost, not only can touching your face spread bacteria on the surface of your skin, but also below the skin, potentially causing damage and leading to even more breakouts.
Laundry detergents can contain chemicals, dyes, and fragrances that can be really irritating for your skin. They can potentially cause acne (even the cystic kind) and rashes.
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This may not affect everyone, but if your clothes smell floral fresh and your face looks anything but, try switching to a dye- and fragrance-free laundry detergent and/or fabric softener.
If you think your skin acting up between seasons or when you’re on vacation in a totally different climate, it’s not all in your head.
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But it’s not just the warmer months that can lead to you breaking out; the transition to cold weather could make your acne worse, too. During the winter, it can get cold and windy, and the humidity tends to drop. This can lead to dehydrated skin, cause more oil production, and cause some acne.
If you find you’re breaking out on your cheeks, it could be because you’re talking on the phone too much.
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If you need (or want) to continue talking on the phone, consider using headphones or earbuds instead of holding the phone up to your ear. Some phone cleansing wipes can also help eliminate product buildup on your device.
We all love a little fun in the sun, but too much can be bad for you in a few ways.
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When you’re out in the sun for too long, your skin sheds more dead cells. This can clog your pores and lead to blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.
If you find you are changing everything about your skincare routine and you are still breaking it, it may be time to speak to your dermatologist.
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Give your dermatologist a history of your struggles with acne and hopefully, they will be able to help clean up your skin.
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