We all have been plagued by acne at one time or another. Sometimes we are our own biggest enemy, in fact, it is our want to make things better that can actually make them far worse. Trying to change what is happening may be the Achilles heel of what makes it worse.
In fact, there are 5 bad habits that can make acne worse and you may be doing one or all of them. The want to fend off what we feel is bad, can create more bad than good, and I want to share the different ways that you might actually be contributing to acne.
Today’s article will allow you to lavishly live beauty out loud while making sure you are not contributing to what is annoying you! Men, women, teens, we all can benefit from learning what not to do while learning how to cope.
5 Bad Habits That Can Make Acne Worse
So at some point or another, you have probably experienced acne, through yourself, your kids or other family members, and what is the first suggestion everyone hands out for clearer skin? Scrub thy face!
Scrub-a-dub-dub
One of the biggest mistakes people make is to scrub their face, as they believe that the dirt and grime can only go away if we scrub away at our pores. This couldn’t be further from the truth. For most people, exfoliates are too harsh, especially if they are used every day.
When you scrub your face every day, you scrub off the new cells. This makes your skin extra sensitive and irritated, which can leave pores open and skin inflamed. Scrubbing your face every day, scrubs off new cells. Therefore your skin becomes extra sensitive and irritated.
Your pores are open and creating your skin to be inflamed. Irritations also cause the skin to dry out, which will, in turn, make the pores produce more sebum, the oil responsible for producing acne.
THE ALTERNATIVE
Instead, dermatologists recommend splashing cool or lukewarm water on the face and dabbing it dry with a dry washcloth. If you wear makeup, it is best to use a gentle makeup remover that you simply blend into your skin with the pads of your fingers and then remove with water.
Brands such as Clinique offer gentle makeup removers that require only water to remove.
Did Someone Say Face Masks?
The age of DIY and Pinterest has made homemade face masks all the rage. As I said, we all gather around and talk and we Google and end up on Pinterest, and that is just not how you want to effectively deal with acne, because that info is not verified so proceed with caution.
Only an educated dermatologist can properly assess which chemicals would work on your skin best. In addition, some combinations can dry, inflame, irritate, or cause hives on the skin.
For example, wearing cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and honey mask may be effective every once and a while, but that combination every day can cause severe irritation.
The “Burning Face Mask,” as it is called, is meant to reduce antioxidants, disinfect the skin, and shrink pores.
However, for sensitive skin, it can result in harmful irritation. On the other hand, coconut oil masks can be highly comedogenic, clogging up your pores. Applying face masks too liberally every day can confuse your skin, so if you must use a mask, be sure you only use it every so often.
Bed Sheets
Ideally, you should wash your bed sheets at least once a week. I know there was a time (in college) where we were lucky to ever wash our sheets, but that might have also been why so many of us suffered from bad acne breakouts.
Just think about how often your face is on that pillow while all of your dead skin cells sluff off and the dirt and skin oils build up on the pillowcase. If you go to bed without showering or washing your face, this can make it much worse. This is also true of body acne. Washing your sheets and pajamas regularly will ensure that you limit your breakouts.
Gym Clothes
Dirty gym clothes may be even worse than unwashed sheets. If you continue to wear your sweaty gym clothes for a while after you exercise, your skin will suffer. The sweat that builds up on your skin is a tasty buffet for bacteria, and your body heat can cause pores to open.
Use hand sanitizer or soap and water BEFORE you touch your face, after touching everything in the gym. Hello germs, and bacteria, because your local gym equipment is riddled with other people’s bacteria, no matter how much effort the staff makes to keep it clean.
If you sweat in it, wash it!
If you notice that you have body acne where the straps of your sports bra usually are, or on your lower back where your yoga leggings or gym shorts gather, it is a sure sign that it’s time to wash your clothes.
Let Me Sleep
Sleep is essential to keeping a healthy mind and body. While you sleep, your body repairs your skin by producing collagen, which is a substance that keeps skin firm and tight. The next time you wake up after a long night of heavy drinking, you may notice your skin looking duller and even saggy. This is a sign that you haven’t had enough sleep, so drink a few glasses of water, and sleep more! Hydration and sleep.
REMEMBER
Not all acne is cured by changes in habit, but it will likely help subdue it. Of course, there are different types of acne that have different causes, so it is always wise to consult a dermatologist before you proceed with new treatments.
Check in with a dermatologist, and don’t just use items you find on social media, they are not verified. Make sure to get enough sleep on clean sheets, in clean pajamas and lavishly live life out loud!