10 Mistakes That Are Making Your Skin Break Out

Oct 19, 2018

If your skin drives you insane even when you feel like you are taking all the right steps to keep it happy, trust us, you’re not alone! Despite proper washing, moisturizing, and even the use of all of the best skincare products on the world, there are several secret culprits working against you.

Here are a few common, yet unexpected, causes of skincare problems, that many of us might have never even heard of before!

It can be so incredibly frustrating to try out a new product and then have to wait to see the results. Unfortunately, skincare regimes are just that – strict regimens, which take persistence and dedication along with tight continuity.

It often takes time to see results, so it is important to use the products that you’ve been recommended. Mixing these with other products or changing your routine too soon can have negative effects.

Two things that people often get wrong about moisturizing are the method of application, and the area of application. Many folks believe that moisturizer must be applied to a face that has been washed and dried. In actuality, the key ingredients in moisturizer are there to create protective barriers on the skins surface. This barrier actually locks in existing moisture, which allows the treatment to go into full effect. This is why it’s better to apply the moisturizing product to slightly damp skin, rather than fully dried.

In addition to this, it’s highly recommended to add moisturizer to both the neck and chest areas, along with the normal facial area that we all tend to focus on.

We all know the dangers of sleeping with our “face on,” yet we still go to bed without indulging in a face wash here and there – or may even more than that! It’s actually important to wash your face at least twice per day, ideally in the morning and right before bed.

This ensures that your skin isn’t having to deal with not only your makeup, but with dead skin cells, excess oils, dirt and bacteria.

While it may seem annoying that exercise is actually important to our skin’s health, it’s very true. Skin is, after all, an organ. Netflix on the couch definitely has its place, but regular exercise is an absolute necessity in skin care. Working out doesn’t mean you don’t have to wear makeup, but it is recommended to wear a sweat band around your head for your skin’s protection.

Always shower after working out, paying special attention to the face – it has probably had excess sweat and oil to deal with during gym time! In addition to this, avoid any irritating clothes that rub your skin, and exercise equipment that does the same.

While couch time isn’t the best for your skin, it is, on the other hand, very important to get a good night’s sleep. This is when your cell repair process takes place, so you want to definitely give that enough time.

Well, this one might not be too much of a surprise to you, but the sun is of course a damaging factor to the skin. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen approximately 20 minutes before going out into the sun, to avoid those UV rays and the redness, inflammation, and blemishes that they cause.

We all do this one – we rub our eyes, rest our head in our hands, or even worse, we pick at our pimples! Not only are these bad for obvious reasons (especially the scarring that can come from pimple popping), but also because oil and even bacteria can spread to our faces.

What’s to be said about this? Water is basically just the cure for anything. Stay hydrated out there, and your skin will thank you! Toxins will be cleared away, reducing blemishes and inflammation. Nutrients and oxygen will be more readily available to skin cells, keeping your skin young, soft, and hydrated.

We all know that what we eat affects our skin, but it can be very difficult to determine some of the subtle offenders. Keep an eye out for any high-glycaemic foods, and be sure to eat a diet with plenty of plant fibers and very little processed foods.

Look for whole-gran carbs, like oats and bran, and substitute your cereals or pasta for whole wheat.

Some people believe that this is unnecessary; after all, you’re just using the same makeup on the same brush! In fact, the reason brushes must be washed is because of the bacteria and dirt that they can pick up. Washing these frequently (once a week for foundation and cream-type makeup, every two weeks for powders) will likely come with a noticeable improvement in your skin over time.

Sadly, it’s true – your smart phone is likely one of the causes of skin issues. The touchscreens are known for harboring dirt and germs, which are making their way to your face every time you have a phone conversation.

Luckily, there is an easily solution! Just grab a pack of antibacterial wipes and keep it in your purse. Even wiping your phone down only once per day will make a huge difference.

Whether you have an in-depth and lengthy skincare routine, or you barely have one at all, keeping these little tips in mind will make a great difference for the overall look and feel of your skin! Pass this on to your beauty loving friends!