Sometimes the battle against acne breakouts seems impossible to win. We’ve tried every single skincare regime on the market, woken up frustrated when our overnight spot treatments failed to live up to their names, and some of us may have even ventured into our kitchens to whip up homemade acne-fighting concoctions.
When topical products disappoint us, we need to open our minds to the possibility that what we are putting on our skin isn’t always the cause or the solution to banishing breakouts. There are many aspects of our daily routines, habits, and diet that can contribute to acne. Luckily, there are ways to fight them without using a single skincare product.
1) Take a look at your plate:
What we put in our bodies for fuel plays a huge role in our complexion. So, if you are feeling frustrated when trying to identify what is causing your pimples, consider your diet. While each person’s body will react differently to the same foods, there are certain ones that are more likely to cause acne.
Dairy, for example, tends to produce hormonal breakouts on your chin and jawline, whereas eliminating citrus fruits and other highly acidic foods can reduce the frequency of blemishes in the cheek area.
Also, be sure to watch your daily sugar intake, including soda, delicious desserts, and even natural sugars from fruits. Eating high-glycemic foods, like candy, cause blood insulin levels to spike, which results in systemic inflammation, which can manifest itself as a new acne breakout.
To ensure that your meals are not contributing to your breakouts, follow an anti-inflammatory diet rich in healthy fats, like avocados, and wild salmon, which is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. You can also try keeping a food diary to identify your unique, specific foods triggers. In general, blemishes related to your food tend to surface between twelve to thirty-six hours after you ate the potential trigger.
2) Learn to love doing laundry:
The many fabrics that come into contact with our complexion throughout the day could be the culprit in the case against unexpected breakouts. With continued use, our towels and blankets develop a buildup of oil, dirt, and dust, and this can lead to clogged pores. Be sure to sleep on a clean pillowcase each night, and always dry your face after washing with a paper towel or a fresh face cloth. Don’t grab the dirty hand towel that everyone uses! Also, avoid using liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets, as these leave a waxy residue behind that can worsen breakouts.
3) Re-order your shower routine:
If you wash your face while taking a shower, try re-ordering the steps in your routine. Most shampoos and conditioners contain ingredients that are highly likely to clog pores, and these products tend to trickle down on to our foreheads and cheeks, leaving a residue behind. To avoid this, make washing your face the very last step in your shower routine, or wait to do so until you are out of the shower.
4) Wash your makeup brushes:
If applying makeup with brushes is a part of your daily routine, and you suffer from acne, then it may be more than just a correlation. Trapped in the bristles of dirty makeup brushes is not only leftover cosmetics, but also breakout-inducing oil and bacteria. To ensure that your makeup brushes aren’t fighting against you in the war against blemishes, give all your makeup brushes a thorough cleaning with baby shampoo at least once a week. Or, if you have a super busy schedule, try using makeup products that you can apply with only your fingers, and be sure to wash your hands immediately before applying them.
5) Disinfect your smartphone:
Is your smartphone screen filled with smears and smudges? While these might seem harmless, they are actually bacteria and dirt in disguise that can exacerbate acne every time you press your cell phone onto your cheek to make a call. To avoid worsening your acne, at the end of each day, wipe down your smartphone with an antibacterial wipe. You can also try talking on the phone using headphones during long conversations.
Acne is inarguably an annoying nuisance, and fighting it is a frustrating process. While skincare is a stellar first line of defense, there are also many hidden and unlikely aspects of our daily lives that could be making our breakouts worse. But, don’t give up and remember that acne is something almost everyone struggles with. We hope that this guide will help you on your journey to clear skin!
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