For some reason, a myth that acne only lasts during your teen years exists. The idea that your zits will be confined to your time spent in high school and maybe college is comforting during these years; the absence of it is just one more thing to look forward to when it comes to being an adult.
Treating any kind of acne can be tricky and time-consuming. It doesn't help that there are so many tips and tricks out there that it feels overwhelming to pick which would be right for you. But it turns out there could be some simple thing you're doing that could be why you're still getting pimples all the time.
1. Not changing your pillowcase weekly
Acne can be caused by so many different things that it's easy to overlook the little triggers. One is a dirty pillowcase. Your pillowcase can hold a lot of germs and bacteria that can lead to breakouts, even if you wash your face each night - even more so if you don't. You can help avoid breakout by changing your pillowcase every second day.
2. Using makeup wipes instead of a cleanser
Some nights, you might feel too tired to totally wash your face. Instead, you grab a pack of makeup wipes and wipe everything away, then climb into bed and call it a night. Eventually, this super-lax skin-care routine becomes habit, and you've replaced cleansers with wipes completely. This isn't a good idea. For one thing, makeup wipes don't remove all of your makeup or all of the dirt that has accumulated throughout the day, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
For another thing, a makeup wipe leaves behind a residue - unlike a cleanser, which shouldn't leave anything behind. That residue can also cause clogged pores. You're much better off taking an extra few minutes to wash your face with a cleanser after (or instead of) using a makeup wipe.
3. Using heavy sunscreen
Sunscreen is always an important part of any skin-care routine, including when you're treating acne. But certain sunscreens can cause breakouts.
4. Reaching for the spot treatment every time you break out
One of the best acne-treating inventions out there is spot treatment, which can make a zit disappear quickly when necessary. Here's the thing, though: it's not going to prevent more acne from happening, it's just going to get rid of the zit that's already there. It's fine to use a spot treatment when you have a pimple that really needs to go, but it's not the only way you should be treating any acne, even that specific zit.
5. Wearing glasses all the time without cleaning them
If you wear glasses every day, or even just the same old sunglasses all the time, that could be making you break out. You probably have heard that a dirty cell phone screen pressed against your face can transfer bacteria and dirt, causing acne. Well, dirty glasses can do the same thing, according to Prevention. Be sure to keep yours cleaned.
6. Washing your face too much
Over cleansing will dry out your skin, which makes it produce more oil to make up for that dryness. If your skin is naturally very dry, only cleanse at night. At the most, cleanse twice a day, no matter what.
Cleansing is an essential step in fighting and preventing acne, but there's definitely such a thing as too much of a good thing.
7. Exfoliating too much
Are you scrubbing away at your skin to get rid of dead skin cells in the hopes that your breakouts will stop? Exfoliating can be good for you, but you might be doing too much of it. Exfoliating a pimple can pull away healthy skin cells and create an open wound and higher risk for scarring. Only exfoliate two or three times a week.
8. Using too many hair products
If you can't figure out what's causing your pimples, it could be what you're putting in your hair. Certain hair products can lead to skin breakouts, which can happen anywhere, but especially along your hairline. Be careful about how you're applying your hair products. Don't spray your roots as much and keep sprays away from your skin. Pay attention to your shampoo and conditioner, because that could also affect your skin.
