8 reasons acne won't clear: What to avoid for better skin?
Combating acne takes a lot of time and effort, regardless of whether you're treating mild or severe acne. If you feel like you have tried all you can but your acne is not going away, you're not alone. What you're doing is right, but it's not enough. To see better improvements, you probably just need to make some changes.
Consider these 8 hidden reasons your breakouts are sticking around.
1. You touch your face too much
We touch hundreds of objects throughout the day: doorknobs, grocery carts, money, etc. These objects contain millions of germs, bacteria and potential allergens. Touching your face allows the bacteria to spread, resulting in acne. If your skin is prone to oily, you may spread oil from one part of your face to the other, clogging the pores and causing breakout.
If you find yourself touching your face too much, then it's time to start substituting your behavior. Here are some tips to try:
- Keep your fingers busy.
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Never pick pimples using your fingers as it can lead to infection or scarring.
- Place reminders around you.
2. Your cell phones may be the cause
While it's the one accessory you never leave home without, your cell phones are dirtier than you think. There are many buildups of sweat, oil, dirt and bacteria on the phone from everyday use. When you put your phone up to your ear, these buildups come into contact with the skin, leading to or worsening breakouts.
To reduce the risk, don't just keep your face clean; keep your phone clean as well. You can use antibacterial wipes to clean your devices, or start using headphones to keep the phone's surface away from your skin. And don't forget to wash your hands often.
3. You forget to keep your pillowcase clean
Pillowcases, blankets, towels, etc. have pretty direct contact to your skin. This means dirt, oil, dead skin cells and bacteria oil pile up from daily use, doing damage to your skin and causing allergies or acne. It is recommended that you wash your pillowcases or towels in hot water at least once a week.
4. Your face mask can cause acne
The pandemic outbreak has made wearing a face mask part of our daily routine. Yet it may be the source of many skin problems, including acne. Masks create a warm and humid environment underneath them which traps moisture and sebum. Dirty masks not only cause breakouts but also badly affect your respiratory system.
Don't forget to take care of your masks. Choose the masks with soft, natural, and breathable fabric. Medical masks should only be used once and cloth mask should be washed regularly. Keep your face masks safe and handy in a case or a pouch.
Even when you wear a mask, you still need to apply sunscreen to protect your skin. Skip your make up or keep it as lightweight as possible if you wear a mask to prevent it from clogging your pores.
5. You may underestimate the power of cleansing
Cleansing is the first step of all the skin care routine for a reason. It prepares the skin for other steps behind and is the key to healthy skin.
After a long day, our skin clings to a lot of dirt, bacteria, sweat and sebum, which causes clogged pores and acne. Don't underestimate cleansing as it removes excess dirt, leaving your skin clear to absorb other products more effectively. Regular facial cleansing also contributes to helping the skin maintain a proper level of hydration, reducing the risk of aging. It is recommended that you cleans your face twice a day to keep your skin fresh.
6. Clean is not enough; keep you face moist and healthy
After washing your face, don't forget to moisturize. It helps reduce chance of developing dryness or oiliness, which is the common cause of acne. Moisturizing can also help give your sensitive skin the boost it needs to repair itself and stay healthy.
It's important to choose the right moisturizer for different skin types. or dry skin, you should go with an oily cream to hydrate and balance the oil content. For oily skin, you will want to choose a lotion as the amount of oil in those moisturizers tends to be lower.
7. You overuse the skincare products
If your skin is irritated, it may be a sign you're using too many products. Over-exfoliating or over-washing can result in redness, dryness, and worsened breakouts. Reconsider the products you're using and focus only on the targeted products that really deliver, rather than overstressing your skin with layers and layers. Also pay attention to the ingredients you're combining.
8. You don't maintain a consistent routine
Consistency is key when it comes to skincare. You won’t achieve more youthful looking skin overnight. Instead of expecting some miraculous ingredients to bring instant magic, taking good care of your skin daily will bring real, visible results and save you money in the long run.
Using acne treatment products is good, but you should build yourself good habits, clean your utensils regularly and use products that are suitable for you. Having a beautiful skin is not difficult, building good habits is.