Clear-Skin Saboteurs: 7 Mistakes That Are Making You Break Out
Photos: Richard Burbridge, Tesh Patel, Davies & Starr, David Stesner, Getty Images (3)
1/7Overzealous Skin Care
Fanaticism first thing in the morning has its consequences: There's a difference between twice-weekly skin-brightening exfoliation (good), and daily obsessive overscrubbing (bad). That's because the layers of our skin near the surface form a protective matrix of proteins and lipids that keep moisture in and acne-causing bacteria out. Aggressive scrubbing can "impair the skin-barrier function and lead to inflammation," says Zeichner. So think of that eager-beaver scouring as a means of exposing your skin to the very things that make it break out—and just don't.
2/7Hats, Scarves, Eyewear, Smart Phones
There's a lot of gunk lurking on smartphone screens, eyeglasses, and the lining of your favorite hat: oil, makeup, and the residue of old hair products. "All of that dirt and bacteria can quickly break you out," says Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research of the dermatology department of New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital. Cleaning the pores thoroughly after wearing accessories and after face time with your tech devices is key. Regularly popping hats, scarves, and head wraps into the wash and treating your hardware to a two-second, end-of-day sterilizing wipedown (with Lysol or Clorox disinfecting towelettes you can keep right by your phone charger) also helps.
3/7Mirrors, Mirrors on the Wall
Studiously gazing at your face in the mirror is bound to instigate prodding, poking, and popping. Instead, use your home's reflective surfaces sparingly. Apply makeup, check your hair, and then move on. While the urge to go to town on a zit (especially when it appears many times its actual size in a magnifying mirror) can seem overwhelming, popping pimples only pushes bacteria further into the pore. So muster the strength to turn away—except, of course, when treating an existing breakout with bacteria-blasting salicylic acid, like Yes to Tomatoes Clear Skin Acne Roller Ball Spot Stick, or masking blemishes carefully with a concealer, like Mark Save the Day Anti-Acne Concealer Stick.
4/7A Splash of Water in the Morning
Splashing water on your face in the morning might seem like an adequate start to the day, since all that's transpired since your last cleansing was a night of restful sleep on clean Egyptian cotton pillowcases. But you'd be surprised by how much settles on the face at night: Waste left from nighttime products and, if you had a glass of wine with dinner, the metabolized remains of alcohol. Wash your face before bed, at all costs, and repeat the process after you get up, since breakouts erupt when old makeup and your face's natural oils meet pollutants and dirt during the day.
5/7Junk Food
We all know that snack foods eventually end up on our hips and thighs. Yada, yada, yada. But tell a true beauty junkie that she's also doing damage to her skin, and that should be enough to make her swear off sugar, white rice, and, well, everything nice. New evidence suggests that eating foods that cause blood sugar to spike—pizza, bagels, and cookies are all culprits—can trigger an avalanche of acne-generating hormones. Treat your skin to foods rich in vitamins A and E, like leafy greens, grapefruit, nuts, and avocado, which can help clear the complexion, and fiber, which slows the absorption of sugar into your system and reduces the risk of acne, says Jessica Wu, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at USC's Keck School of Medicine.
6/7Cocktail Culture
Indulging in alcohol doesn't directly cause acne, although it has been blamed for turning skin blotchy, dry, and dull. It's what accompanies alcohol in the glass that really brings on the breakouts. Ingredients like tonic water, fruit juice, syrups, and other sugary mixers are all offenders. (Remember what we said about sugary junk foods?) Stick with the basics at the bar (no sweetened mixed drinks ending in "tini"), match each round of booze with a glass of water (to combat dehydration), and consider a two-drink maximum as a worthy personal goal if you're prone to pimples.
7/7Air-Drying After Workouts
Skipping a shower after a workout may prolong the Spinning-induced euphoria, but wearing a damp sports bra against your skin will form the perfect breeding ground for body acne, since the moist material pushes bacteria into sebum glands, producing zits. If your studio doesn't have showers, you can wipe away the sweat and buildup with cleansing cloths, such as Pond's Clean Sweep Original Wet Cleansing Towelettes or Ole Henriksen Truth to Go Wipes, and then change into clean, dry clothes. Also, if you're still rocking your middle-school T-shirts and faded black stretch pants (the ones with the totally shot elastic waistband), consider a wardrobe overhaul: Invest in breathable designs made from moisture-wicking, fast-drying fabrics. Ellie and Nike offers many styles.
