Sneaky things causing your breakouts
So you've tried every face wash at Priceline, every tip in the DOLLY beauty pages and even a funny tasting tea, and those pesky pimples are still popping up? One of these innocent looking little things could just be the culprit bringing on your blemishes!
1. Your pillow slip
One of the main causes of pimples is bacteria or dirt on your skin which clogs pores. If your pillow case has germs on it and you rub your face into it for eight hours every night, that's a recipe for blemishes! It might drive your parents crazy, but change your pillow case every few days and only lay on it with a clean face. See if it makes a difference!
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2. Your make-up brush
Just like the dirty pillow case, dirty make-up brushes could be causing you to break out. Think about how grotty your bronzer brush is, rolling around in your make-up bag and laying on the bathroom counter. Try washing your brushes after each use with soap or hand wash, or a special brush cleaner if you feel like splashing out, such as Napoleon Perdis Brush Cleaner, $40. Place it on a surface with the brush head hanging over the edge to dry, or if you need to take it with you, put it in a sandwich bag.
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3. Your face wash
It might seem like a good idea to get the most hard-core pimple fighting face wash available when your skin's freaking out, but this can actually do more harm than good by over-drying your skin, which in turn makes your skin produce more oil to compensate, causing more pimples! If you've been using an acne-fighting cleanser and it's not helping, try something gentler that's still oil-free, like Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, $13.99.
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4. Your hands
The hands are one of the germiest parts of our bodies, and it's not surprising when you think about what they touch — keyboards, money, the handrail on the train, eeeeeeew! Often we can touch our face without realising it, when we're watching TV or talking to someone. Carry some hand sanitiser like Dettol Instant Hand Sanitiser, $3.39, with you at all times and get into the habit of using it a few times throughout the day and/or after touching anything a bit suspect. Douse your hands before you apply make-up and you'll be saving your skin from icky grime and germs, which will hopefully prevent pimples!
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5. Exercise
Or not exactly exercise but the lack of cleansing one's face of sweat after said exercise! If you've just been for a run and are super-sweaty, definitely do not sit down and watch the telly for half an hour, get thee to a basin or shower ASAP! Of course, this is not always possible, in which case you must carry face wipes! Try Biore Daily Deep Pore Cleansing Wipes, $8.99.
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6. Your fringe
We know you're not going to like this — that hot little fringe you’ve been sporting lately? If you've got pimples on your forehead, there's a chance that's what could be causing them. But don't freak! There are a couple of things you can do. Try to keep your fringe as clean as possible. Try washing your fringe (but not the rest of your hair) in front of the sink every day, even if you only wash your whole head of hair every second, third, 12th day. Just wet it, use a little shampoo and conditioner (for oily hair), wash it out and blow dry. Also, keep your fringe off your forehead when you can, when you're playing sport or just hanging at home. Hair bands are great for this and are SHRN.
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7. Your phone
The Little Miss Talkatives among us will be horrified to learn that all that time spent with your phone to your ear could be causing you to break out! Just like the pillow case and the make-up brushes, if your phone is covered in germs (which it definitely is unless you disinfect it daily), they will rub off on your face while you're yapping away. Wipe over your phone with the hand sanitiser you'll be stashing in your bag (see number four) every morning or night, and see if your skin clears up at all.
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8. Your collar
Same deal again guys, if the collar of your shirt or jumper (or even your scarf) is rubbing against your face, and it's dirty, we all know what will happen. Try to wear things that don't rub against your face, or if you do, make sure they're clean.
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Make sure you let us know how you go by coming back and leaving a comment!
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