The causes of acne breakouts are quite numerous, so it’s not always easy to pinpoint the exact reasons for breaking out. Nonetheless, knowing which are some of the most common causes for breakouts can help you take some precautionary measures to minimize the chances of breaking out. If you’re suddenly dealing with more breakouts than usual, you might want to take a closer look at the these common reasons for breakouts and consider adjusting your beauty routine accordingly:
Touching your face
Touching the face is often an instinctual, unconscious gesture, however, it is also one of the easiest ways to make the face one of the dirtiest spots on your body, since the hands come in contact with all sorts of germs, bacteria and dirt particles.
Making a conscious effort to try and avoid the gesture will make it easier to minimize damage.
Sleep deprivation
Having trouble getting enough shut-eye? If that’s the case, you might suffer from more intense breakouts since the skin cells actually repair themselves over night and a poor quality sleep interferes with the process of skin regeneration.
Not cleaning enough the items that come in contact with your face
Cleaning makeup brushes at least once a week is a good start if you’re looking to prevent acne breakouts, however, it might turn out not to be enough. Cleaning your phone daily, changing pillow cases and towels two times per week are a few aspects to keep in mind to minimize the chances of breakouts.
Incorrect washing habits
Washing the face too much can have the exact opposite effect than the one desired. Washing the face in the morning and in the evening is enough. To clean the complexion correctly, apply a quarter size dollop of facial cleanser to the palm and use gentle circular motions to remove dirt. Avoid applying the cleanser with a towel and rubbing the skin as it will only irritate it.
Traveling
Did you know that air travels can actually worsen acne breakouts? Airplane cabins have low humidity and the skin often becomes drier and can trap oils underneath. Fortunately, this is one of the problems which is quite easy to fix: applying a hydrating gel-based mask and using an exfoliating product afterwards can help you avoid problems.
Stress
Dealing with stress is one of the most common reasons for breakouts. When going through a stressful period, the body’s adrenal glands increase the cortisol production. Cortisol increases inflammation in the body and causes the oil glands to produce more oil, making it easier to develop breakouts. Managing stress effectively will also make it easier to avoid acne breakouts.
Diet choices
Gluten or dairy sensitivity and excessive sugar consumption could be making acne breakouts worse, so tweaking your diet for just a month might prove a good choice in helping reducing acne breakouts. Adopting healthier eating habits and avoiding foods with a high glycemic index will most likely have a beneficial impact on the skin.
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