5 Things That Are Making You Break Out

Yes, all skin is beautiful but if some of the things we are doing unknowingly cause dryness or oiliness, our pores to clog and increase breakouts, a little education and healthy habit forming to prevent that and live in our best skin, doesn't hurt.

Here are 5 things that may be causing your breakout…

1. Candy, soda, fast food, oh my!

Cut out, or at least cut back on, highly processed foods like white bread, pasta, sugary drinks, fried foods and baked goodies. These foods raise our glycemic index and increase blood sugar which can lead to increased insulin production which in turn spikes sebum production the oil that clogs our pores and creates pimples, blackheads and acne). Keeping our blood sugar stable by eating clean, minimally processed foods and lots of leafy green veggies helps our body run smoothly and our skin to stay clear.

2. Face contact with everyday objects

Keep face touching to a minimum and make sure your pillowcases and phone screens are kept clean. Sleeping on pillowcases that are infrequently washed and using a phone with a dirty screen can cause a transfer of bacteria to your skin which leads to break outs. The oils, make up and haircare products get trapped in the fibers of pillowcases and build up, when you sleep on a dirty pillowcase, that dirt goes to your face, clogging your pores. The same goes for dirty cell phone screens and touching your face.

3. Using too many skincare products too frequently

Over washing your face or using too many acne combating products can irritate and dry your skin out, when our skin becomes too dry our body increases oil production to over compensate, which will, you guessed it, clog our pores and lead to breakouts and skin congestion. The same thing happens when we alow our bodies to become dehydrated so make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

4. Unchecked stress levels

We've all heard the phrase "Don't sweat the small stuff", well its some of the best advice. Stress not only keeps your heart rate elevated and mind busy with clutter but it also prevents acne from healing quickly AND has proven to increase sebum production, the more sebum clogging pores the more break outs and the slower healing can cause the pimples to build up and hang out longer. So take a few deep breathes, go for a walk, practice yoga and/or meditation and get a good night's sleep. All things to help manage stress and keep your skin healthy.

5. Poor hygiene

Under-washing your face can also lead to break outs. Not showering after a good sweaty workout or going to sleep without washing the make up off your face can lead to dirt, oil and bacteria build up, which as we have learned by now, can lead to break outs. So make sure to use a gentle cleanser, preferably one recommended by your esthetician or dermatologist, and wash up at the end of your day.