Acne
The proper skincare products are the ideal first step for getting acne under control and restoring a clear complexion, but there are several other steps you can take to keep breakouts to a minimum. These small lifestyle changes can add up to make a big difference in the health and appearance of your skin.
Overview
When it comes to acne , skincare is an essential step—but the products you use are just the beginning. For optimal improvement, there are several small but impactful changes you can make to your daily routine that can help you achieve your clear skin goals. This means being gentle on your skin, ensuring the cleanliness of anything that comes in contact with your face and considering the impact your cell phone and even your workout attire may have on your acne. A comprehensive approach that includes daily skincare as well as these lifestyle changes can help minimize acne and maximize the health and appearance of your skin.
Minor changes that can have a major impact on acne
- Avoid over-exfoliating
- Wash your face cloth after every use
- Disinfect your cell phone
- Change your pillowcase at least once a week
- Sleep with a head scarf on
- Skip the headband when you work out
- Use sunscreen
- Wash your makeup brushes
Go easy on your skin. Over-exfoliating can inflame your skin and trigger excess oil production.[1]
Wash your face cloths after ever use. In addition to dirt and makeup, they collect bacteria.
Disinfect your cell phone as it can carry up to 10 times more bacteria[2] than most toilet seats.[3]
Change your pillowcase once a week to avoid a build-up of oils, dirt and sweat.
Sleep with a head scarf on to minimize the build-up of oil from your hair to your pillowcase.
Skip the workout headband. It can trap sweat and bacteria against skin and clog pores.
Sunscreen over sunburns. Sun damage can impact the skin’s ability to resist acne-causing bacteria.
Wash your makeup brushes to reduce spreading bacteria to your face, causing further breakouts.[4]
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References
- Rodan K, Fields K, Majewski G, Falla T. Skincare Bootcamp: The Evolving Role of Skincare.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2016;4(12 Suppl Anatomy and Safety in Cosmetic Medicine: Cosmetic Bootcamp):e1152. Published 2016 Dec 14.
- Chawla K, Mukhopadhayay C, Gurung B, Bhate P, Bairy I. Bacterial ‘Cell’ Phones: Do cell phones carry potential pathogens? Online J Health Allied Scs. 2009
- Matthews E., Susan (2012, August) Why Your Cellphone Has More Bacteria than a Toilet Seat. Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/22822-cell-phones-germs.html
- This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Anisa International from April 20-22, 2015 among 1,113 adult women ages 18 and older, of whom 638 use makeup brushes