While diet, hormones and overstimulation are common considerations for causing acne, everybody’s skin is different – so what’s producing acne for one may not be the same source of acne for another. However, you’ll be surprised to learn of six everyday objects you probably couldn’t live without, that are contributing to breakouts and blemishes on all skin types.
Sunglasses
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Oil Origins: You’re tossing your sunnies and everyday prescription glasses in your bag, placing them on restaurant tables, and letting them sit in the sun on your car seat. And then you’re putting them directly on your face. The germs transferred from all of these surfaces can cause bacteria to grow on the rim, in turn stimulating acne to settle along your nose, under your eyes and in the infamous t-zone.
Pimple Preventer: Wash with antibacterial hand soap and water every few days to prevent germs from finding a way into your pores.
Cell Phone
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Oil Origins: Your cell phone picks up more bacteria than any other object you own, and has likely been passed between more people and places than you. Constant touching and exposure to germ-infested surfaces make your iPhone dirtier than your toilet seat (maybe), which means texting and touching your face is a major no-no. Even further, the warmth from your mouth as you take part in your nightly hour-long convo’ with the bestie, creates a perfect environment for bacteria to thrive and pimples caused by the friction of pressing your phone directly against your cheek.
Pimple Preventer: Clean with an antibacterial hand wipe ideally before each use, but realistically, at absolute minimum, once a day.
Hats
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Oil Origins: Anything that fits snugly around your head will inevitably rub against your skin, turning oils, sweat and dirt from the rim into a recipe for a breakout. The same goes for helmets, headbands and scarves. If washing your clothing on a regular basis is the foundation to basic hygiene, a hat is no exception. If worn often, it should be washed often.
Pimple Preventer: Look under your hat for a cleaning tag, and follow the directions for a proper wash that’ll disinfect and maintain its shape. If the tag is missing, hand wash the hat with lukewarm water and antibacterial hand soap. Let air dry to avoid shrinkage.
Makeup Brushes
Oil Origins: You’ve heard this one all too often before, but that doesn’t make this point any less important. The tiny hairs on your makeup brushes are the perfect breading place for harboured bacteria, and you’re doing nothing but transferring oils onto your face and into your pores with your makeup.
Pimple Preventer: To disinfect, spritz brushes with an antibacterial cleanser, found at your local Shoppers, once a week.
Hair Products
Oil Origins: Styling products might fight frizz, but they’re also aggregating acne, since they are comedogenic, meaning they will clog your pores and increase your chances of waking up with a zit (commonly along your hairline, your cheeks, especially if you have long hair, and even your forehead, if you have bangs).
Pimple Preventer: Style your hair before applying your makeup. This ensures acne-causing products won’t sit on top your foundation. Just remember to wash hands thoroughly before touching skin. And of course, shield your face before spraying anything onto your tresses. Clean your hair before bed to wash away film caused by hair gels, hairsprays, moose, restorative oils, and etcetera. If you’re hair is not due for a wash, cover your locks at bedtime to avoid transferring oils onto your face.
Pillowcases
Oil Origins: Cuddling up to your pillow nightly is a major role-playing culprit in breakouts. A combination of sweat caused by sleeping, dirt, germs and oil are being pressed against your skin nightly, causing pores to become clogged.
Pimple Preventer: For the ultimate beauty sleep, swap your pillowcase for a fresh one, at minimum once a week, to ensure your face is exposed to a clean surface, and not against one that’ll trap dirt and germs for your skin to absorb. Pillowcases made of bamboo are said to be beneficial for acne-prone skin because they are believed to be antibacterial, and more breathable as opposed to conventional cotton.
If you suffer from severe acne, keep in mind that, while your skin will thank you for keeping the above six daily items clean on a regular basis, they will not necessarily cure your blemish woes. Book an appointment with a dermatologist, who will be able to clear your skin and keep breakouts under control.
