Habits that make acne worse

1. Picking or popping pimples

Pimples mainly contain pus, dead skin cells, dirt, and bacteria. Popping them surely gets most of those out, but some of them are pushed deeper. Worse, the skin is getting ruptured and damaged which might cause further infection, inflammation, and even discoloration and scarring. 

2. Not having enough sleep

Contrary to popular belief, sleeping late does not contribute to acne, it is the lack of it. Lack of sleep triggers a cascade of stress responses from the body, specifically causing a spike in cortisol levels. This dysregulation causes an increase in sebum production and inflammation.

3. Sleeping with makeup on

Sleeping with your makeup on is probably one of the worst things you can do to your skin. Even if they are non-comedogenic, sleeping with makeup prevents the skin from recovering well and can definitely cause acne.

Aside from that, it can also cause eye irritation and could damage your vision. So, make sure to wash that makeup off before hitting the bed, or at least use wipes and a good makeup remover.

4. Washing your face too much

Washing your face excessively can strip off the skin of its essential oils and of the moisture it needs. As a response, the face produces more sebum to counteract the dryness caused by too frequent washing - excess sebum can clog the pores and cause acne.

As a general rule, it is advisable to wash the face twice a day: once in the morning, and in the evening before sleeping. 

5. Using too much face scrub

You might have heard it by now, face scrubs are not your “friends”, and they are doing more damage to your face than good. Scrubbing can irritate the skin, cause inflammation, and make existing acne worsen.

Not to be confused, a good exfoliation is beneficial for the face now and then, but overdoing it, especially with a very harsh face scrub should never be it. Instead of scrubbing, use a mild cleanser and exfoliate only once or twice a week.

6. Not cleaning your phone

It is not news anymore that your phone is a breeding ground for bacteria. A study even found that phones contain ten times more bacteria than most toilet seats. Imagine that amount of bacteria comes in contact with your face when taking a call. So make sure to regularly clean your phone to avoid any unwanted breakouts.

7. Not changing pillowcases

Speaking of stuff that comes in contact with your face, your pillowcases probably come in first. Pillowcases can harbor dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria especially when not changed and washed often. These can clog your pores and cause acne when they come in contact with your skin.

Similarly, friction between the skin and the pillowcase can irritate the skin and cause flare-ups and breakouts. Change your pillowcases every week and choose something that has a soft fabric.

8. Changing skincare products too often

Finding the right skincare products for you is a journey that can be really challenging. The market is overflowing with products designed for acne-prone skin, but your goal is not to go through all of them to find one that suits your needs.

Products take time to work, so give them around 2 to 4 weeks before ditching them and trying out a different one. Better yet, consult your dermatologist, it’s definitely better to have an expert weigh in before spending money on new products.

9. Having a bad diet

There is no study directly relating any food to acne, but certain foods are definitely linked to its development. Sugary, starchy, and processed food are said to be linked to acne but there is no need to totally rid your diet of these items, moderation is still the key.

It is also important to talk to your dermatologist and consult a nutritionist before making drastic changes to your diet. You might be depriving yourself of your favorite foods for no good reason at all.