1. Wearing make-up at the gym
Getting used to working out barefaced can be a challenge; it can be awkward when you seemingly bump into everyone you know on earth within the first five minutes of arriving, and you don’t want to feel self-conscious when you’re trying to get a sweat on. But the truth is, that’s exactly why you’re in the gym: to get a sweat on. No one is expecting perfect winged eyeliner and a flawless highlight – in fact, no one really cares at all. Go for it if you feel you need a little mascara so that you don’t feel completely bare, but a full face of foundation is just going to mix with sweat and so clogging up your pores – ultimately giving you more spots.
2. Making lots of phone calls
You probably didn’t know that your phone holds 20 times as many bacteria as your toilet seat! So, if you’re seeing spots appear across your cheeks, they may be from those hour-long phone calls catching up with your friends. Your phone picks up a lot of dirt and bacteria throughout the day that can be transferred to your face every time you answer a call. Regularly wiping you screen with an anti-bacterial wipe or even a small amount of hand sanitizer is an easy fix.
3. Using 2,546,781 different spot treatments on your face.
Maybe a slight exaggeration, but using too many different products on your face can do more harm than good. While it might seem like a good idea to dry out oily skin with various cleansers, toners and scrubs; in reality, drying out your skin will only cause it to produce more oil, as skin naturally tries to correct itself. Instead, you can remove your make up with something gentle like Garnier’s Micellar Cleansing Water (£3.33 at Boots), apply a moisturiser which is suitable to your skin type, and treat any existing spots with something containing salicyclic acid (such as Neutrogena’s Visibly Clear treatment gel which is £4.99 at Superdrug).
4. Never cleaning your make up brushes (once a month doesn’t cut it gals).
You wouldn’t use the same dirty make up wipe to clean your face every day, so why are you reaching for that clogged up foundation brush at the bottom of your makeup bag on a daily basis? You may as well be brushing the spots onto your face! Cleaning your brushes can seem like a bit of a chore, especially considering they can take several hours to completely dry so you can use them again, but if you get into a routine of cleaning them more frequently then your skin will reap the benefits and your make up will also blend more easily.
5. Having a bearded boyfriend
Your boyfriend’s facial hair isn’t doing your face any favours when it comes to breakouts. His prickly hair rubbing against your chin whilst you kiss can stimulate oil production on your face, causing spots or worse: beard burn. You could attempt to get him to shave but, more realistically, making him use conditioner might also do the trick.
6. Picking at spots
We’ve all been there. “I’ll only pick this big one.” “I’ll put ice on it after.” “It’ll go away quicker if I pop it.” That tiny spot you just picked? It’s going to come back to haunt you in about an hour when you look in the mirror and see that it’s twice the size and twice as red. Not only are you adding more germs and bacteria to your face from your hands and nails, but you’re also risking creating scars. Instead, choose one spot treatment and apply a little with clean hands. Leave. It. Alone.
7. Only washing your pillowcases when you wash your bedding
Think about it: if you don’t wash your pillowcases regularly you’re essentially snuggling down at night into a month’s collection of dead skin and bacteria. Gross. Washing your pillowcases once or twice a week means you can sleep easy knowing you aren’t ruining that perfect skin care routine as soon as your head hits the pillow.
8. Using certain hair products
Hair products with oil, silicones, and plasticisers will clog your pores if they get onto your skin. If you’re struggling to get rid of acne and like to wear your hair down often it might be worth changing up your shampoo and conditioner. In addition to your face, some hair products may be causing acne on your back too; to avoid this, use a body wash after washing and rinsing your hair.
9. Drinking too much vodka and not enough water!
Staying hydrated is perhaps the easiest way to improve your skin. Health authorities commonly recommend getting around 2 litres of fluid a day to help rid the body and skin of toxins.
10. Never indulging in a facemask
Facemasks can be great for your skin and there are so many available, no matter what your skin type! Lush has some amazing fresh facemasks that are reasonably priced at just under £7, considering the multiple uses you get out of just one pot. My personal favourite, Catastrophe Cosmetic, is packed with blueberries, chamomile, rose and almond oils to soothe and soften the skin. It also leaves your face smelling like Parma Violets. Check out all of the facemasks available here.
Sources:
Daily Mail
The Atlantic
Beauty by Earth
Indian Make Up and Beauty Blog
Rhitrition
Glamour
Garnier