Let’s face it, dealing with skin care issues sucks. We should be old enough to be past the acne we all dealt with in middle school, right? But sometimes, skin care problems persist. Some of us practice our skin care routines religiously, always wear sunscreen, never smoke, and yet still break out or have skin issues. What gives? Here are seven unexpected factors you might not have considered that lead to less-than-flawless skin – and how to fix them.
1. You’re eating too much dairy.
Dermatologist Cynthia Bailey, M.D. says, “We are what we eat! It determines how beautiful we look, the vitality of our appearance, and, yes, how great our skin looks.” According to Scientific American, there’s a link between dairy intake and breakouts. Sebaceous cells, which dispense oil to keep your skin soft, can sometimes over-produce; this leads to acne. Fats, including the fats found in dairy, are rich with bacteria and yeast that thrive in this oil. When you digest dairy, your immune system can sometimes respond with acne.
How to fix it: Try minimizing your dairy intake for a full semester to see if your skin improves. Low-fat dairy products tend to be kinder to your skin than their full-fat counterparts, so opt for low-fat or non-fat milk over regular and frozen yogurt or gelato over ice cream. Bailey notes, “Your pimples can take weeks, or even months, to worsen or improve after you make changes in your diet,” so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.
2. You go straight to class after the gym without showering.
I know, I know, this seems totally unfair. Why should your awesome workout be rewarded with a batch of new zits? If you’re dealing with tender or itchy red pimples or little white bumps on your hairline, forehead, jawline, running down the sides or back of your neck, or on your chest and back (in other words, any place you sweat during a workout) you might have pityrosporum folliculitis acne. This type of acne is caused by a normal skin yeast called Malassezia, which grows over nearly everyone’s skin. Unfortunately, some people are naturally prone to fighting it off and some aren’t. If Malassezia tends to clog your pores already, sweat only makes the problem worse. The longer you wait to freshen up post-workout, the longer sweat sits on your skin.
How to fix it: Always make sure to shower as soon as possible after your workout! If you don’t want to waste time heading back to your dorm between the gym and class, toss travel-size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash into your gym bag and shower in the gym’s locker room. “I always recommend an anti-yeast cleanser and my favorite ingredient for that is pyrithione zinc,” says Bailey. If you have oily skin, make sure to be using products tailored for your skin type. Bailey suggests products withbenzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or glycolic acid. You should also exfoliate with a slightly rough shower sponge or scrub like this one or a Clarisonic Pro Brush, which starts at $119, if you want to splurge.
3. You’re still using the same skincare products you’ve used since 8th grade.
Back in middle school, you probably were using a whole host of products designed to fight teen acne. Five to ten years later, your skin’s problems have changed – so your skin care products should, too. You likely don’t need to continue using acne-fighting products with harsh chemicals anymore. Make sure you’re using the right products for your skin type. Acne tends to be a problem for oily skin, while flakiness or tightness is caused by dry skin. Even if you follow a regimented skin care routine, you’re not doing yourself any favors if those products aren’t formulated for your skin type.
How to fix it: This is an easy one. Take this quick quiz to determine your skin type. Next time you shop for skin care products, keep your results in mind.
- Dry skin is the result of oil glands not producing enough of a natural oil called sebum. Look for products labeled “hydrating.” Remember, moisturizing is a must!
- Normal skin means you don’t have extreme acne or extreme flakiness, but the right products can boost your skin to the next level and make you glow. Look for products labeled “gentle” that aren’t overly hydrating.
- Oily skin is caused by the over-production of sebum, so it’s important to choose products that keep your skin clean and free of toxins. Your products might use the word “clarifying” or “noncomedogenic.”
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4. You’re overdoing your skincare routine.
Just like the wrong type of product can cause acne, so can too much product. If you’re only supposed to leave on a mask for ten minutes, don’t use it for fifteen in hopes of better results. Depending on the type of product, overuse can lead to clogged pores or dry or irritated skin.
How to fix it: By the time a product hits shelves, it’s been tested by scientists and dermatologists who know what they’re doing! Heed their advice and read the instructions before you start to use a new product.
5. Your birth control is wreaking havoc on your skin.
Hormonal birth control, like the Pill, can cause breakouts. Hormones play a big role in the way your skin behaves, so adding in doses of unfamiliar hormones can sometimes result in acne.
How to fix it: Acne stemming from birth control can be tough to deal with because no two girls are exactly alike; you might break out on Yasmin but have clear skin on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, while your best friend might have the exact opposite experience. Your best bet is to talk to your doctor about your acne. He or she might recommend waiting out the acne, which often clears up over the course of a few months as your body adjusts to the new hormones, or switching to another type of birth control.
6. You’re on the phone constantly.
Social butterflies, watch out. Your entire life – juicy text messages, precious Words With Friends games, and all – may be on your cell phone, but so are bacteria. Your phone comes into contact with your hands, fingers, mouth, pockets, and the inside of your purse on a regular basis. Think about all those germs sitting on the surface of your screen or on your case. Gross, right? Every time you’re gabbing away to your sorority sisters, your boyfriend, or your mom on your phone, you’re pressing your phone to your cheek and jawline. As bacteria builds up on your skin’s surface, you might start to see acne in those places.
How to fix it: Sanitize your phone’s screen and case, if you have one, on a weekly basis with antibacterial wipes. Above all, make sure you wash your face with a cleanser designed for your skin type every morning and night to kill bacteria for good!
7. You wax (your face or other areas).
Sometimes, you might notice breakouts where you wax – not just on your face, but also on sensitive areas like your bikini line. Waxing-induced breakouts might look like angry red bumps or whiteheads. It’s not much of a trade-off to have your newly smooth skin marred with zits, so luckily, this type of acne is manageable to deal with.
How to fix it: Before you wax, remove any makeup (including foundation and concealer), lightly exfoliate, and rinse the area clean with warm water. For best results, use a cleanser designed to eliminate waxing-induced acne, like this one from Sally Beauty. If you’re getting waxed at a salon, ask your aesthetician if she double dips the applicator between uses. If she does, don’t let her near your skin! Double-dipping spreads bacteria. Even if you’re doing your own waxing at home, it’s important to avoid double-dipping so you don’t spread bacteria from one part of your skin to another. After your wax, use a toner with witch hazel and gently exfoliate.
The state of your skin is largely up to genetics. But even if breakouts are coded into your DNA, the way you take care of your skin – or don’t take care of your skin – can have a big impact. Next time you’re examining your latest zit in the mirror, see if one of these seven factors might be playing into your skin care woes.
For more skin care advice, check out Dr. Bailey’s blog here!