Acne breakouts may be normal in teens, but they are never just a breakout. It’s not a trivial cosmetic problem that’s easy to ignore, let alone fix. Acne is a serious problem that affects both skin health and mental health. After all, no one wants to dress for a date only to see pimples strewn across their face when they look in the mirror. But the good news is that acne breakouts can be treated with the right skin care practices and good lifestyle habits. Say goodbye to acne breakouts by following these 4 surefire ways to prevent breakouts:
Choose the right acne products
If you want to prevent acne breakouts, you need to incorporate the right products into your routine. Our previously published article on Common Skincare Myths highlighted different products that are falsely touted as cures for acne, and there are plenty of them. To repeat: it’s best to use your toothpaste for your teeth and apply coconut oil to your hair. Instead of applying these harmful products to your skin, you should follow a proper acne skin care routine. Most importantly, use skincare products that contain acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. This ensures that you are using scientifically proven remedies instead of hacks that can just damage your skin.
Maintain good hygiene when using makeup
Speaking of beauty myths, it’s time to set the record straight: your makeup products aren’t causing your acne breakouts. So yes, it’s completely normal to hide your blemishes with a high-coverage foundation or concealer on days when you have breakouts. However, it is not acceptable to wear your makeup overnight, as these products can clog your pores if worn for too long. If this happens, you could develop skin irritation and acne breakouts. So, although makeup products are not the main cause of acne breakouts, the lack of proper beauty hygiene can lead to it. So don’t forget to cleanse your face and remove your make-up before going to bed.
Stop using tight clothing or items
If you’ve noticed acne breakouts all over your body, it’s time to take a look at what you’re using. Dermatologist Dr. Ata Moshiri says tight clothes and gear can cause breakouts because of the friction they create with your skin. This friction irritates the surface of your skin and traps oil and bacteria. This process can also occur if you use tight sports gear, backpack straps, headbands, hats, and even underwear. So let your skin breathe by using more fitted items. This will not only stop irritation and rashes, but it can also prevent you from feeling any discomfort.
Reduce your stress level
High school and college can be very stressful, especially during exam season. However, you need to take the time to take care of yourself and relax during these trying times, as your stress levels can affect your breakouts. Although stress doesn’t directly cause acne, your acne breakouts can still be made worse by a stress hormone called cortisol. Once your cortisol level rises, this hormone triggers your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. The increased oil production can then lead to acne breakouts. So if you want to avoid acne breakouts, it’s important to take care of yourself whenever you have tight deadlines or exams.
Acne breakouts can be caused and triggered by many things, so it’s important to take a holistic approach to skin care! The right skincare products can treat your acne, but you can also prevent breakouts from developing by stopping the practices that trigger them.
