By @FionnualaMcNult
At some point in our lives we have all had a spot, whether this a tiny pimple that happens every once in a blue moon or continuous acne that can carry on throughout life. It is not pleasant waking up in the morning and finding a new friend on your face however there are so many different factors that can cause these breakouts, some you may not have even considered. Do not worry there is always a way to get rid of spots. It's about finding the right treatment for you and the best place to start is to find out what has caused the outbreak to begin with. So here are 6 possible reasons your skin is breaking out right now and how you can stop it from happening again.
Photo credit: Unsplash
Cloth Facemask
Covid is still very much present in our day to day lives and so are face coverings unfortunately, it is something I think we all have to adjust to however it is important for your skin to pick the right face mask. There are so many different options of facemasks to choose from it can be hard to find one that will not irritate your skin. With a cloth face covering you are more likely to create more humidity under the mask which traps oil, sweat and bacteria which can lead to breakouts on your chin and around your mouth. The friction from a cloth facemask can also irritate the skin. This can happen whilst you are speaking which also causes more breakouts. I would recommend swapping the cloth face masks for the disposable ones, don’t worry you can still get them to match your outfits, Amazon has a range of colours so you don't have to stick to the traditional blue ones. Changing the masks regularly can prevent the buildup of bacteria and minimise the possibility of spots, you can also try not wearing makeup underneath the masks and try to take breaks from wearing them where you can to keep the area fresh. If you are feeling a little extra, you can opt for a silk face covering which will not irritate the skin and help reduce breakouts.
Not washing your pillowcase and face enough
It may seem like an obvious one but it is essential to wash your face twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening before bed. I know we’ve all been doing this since as long as we can remember but sometimes life gets in the way and twice a day is not achievable. There’s been many times I have woken up with makeup all over my face because I have been too tired to wash it off, this can do so much damage to your skin and always causes a breakout. Try to wash your face with soap and water, avoid anything with harsh chemicals in or perfume as this can dry out your skin even more. If you are having one of those days, still get that makeup off your face! Using a makeup wipe or micellar water is better than nothing. Washing your pillowcase 2 to 3 times a week is a great way to ward off spots, try to choose a silk pillowcase that is not only great for your skin but also your hair as cotton pillowcases can pull and cause friction which in result ends up with breakage on your hair and breakouts on your skin.
Laundry detergent is irritating your skin
This is another one which may seem so obvious however something so simple as the detergent you wash your clothes with can be causing a lot of damage. Make sure you go for washing powder which doesn't have harsh chemicals and nothing you would be allergic to. This can cause breakouts not only on your face but it can result in spots on your chest, back, bum and arms. Try to opt for a detergent which is fragrance-free, dye-free and has been dermatologically tested to ensure it suits sensitive skin.
Your diet
It is no surprise that having a poor diet can have poor effects on your health, I have experienced this first hand as living off takeaways as a student did not do wonders for my skin. However what may bring on spots for one person may not do the same to another, it is important to visit the doctor and find out which foods may be contributing to breakouts. Try to incorporate healthier foods into your diet and above all else drink water. Again these are simple and obvious changes that can make a huge difference in the appearance in your skin.
MORE: Five ways to help combat scalp acne
Picking your spots
We’ve all seen the pimple popping videos and whilst they may look so satisfying to watch it is not something you should try at home. Picking, prodding and poking at your spots can leave scars or cause the spot to multiply. It is best to try not to touch your face where possible, this will reduce the amount of bacteria being transferred to your face and minimise the amount of spots. When you try to pop spots you run the risk of pushing bacteria further down into the pores, you can try a pimple patch to stop you from picking and it will help to stop the transfer of bacteria if you end up touching your face. You can also wash your hands more regularly so if you do touch your face there will be a reduced amount of bacteria being processed on to your face.