Three Common Little Habits That Can Cause Acne To Linger Even With Treatment

Are you following all of your dermatologist's instructions for treating your acne, but still experiencing breakouts? Pills, creams, and medicated washes can all be highly effective for treating acne, but if you are engaging in other little habits that perpetuate breakouts, their effectiveness may be limited. Here's a look at three habits you may need to break if you want to be truly acne-free.

Sleeping on a dirty pillowcase.

No matter how clean your face is at bedtime, it still contains some oils and bacteria. You transfer these substances to your pillowcase as you sleep. Then, during the day, the bacteria replicate. By the time you go to bed again, there are loads of bacteria that get re-introduced to your face, perpetuating breakouts. The only way to break this cycle is by changing your pillowcase each night. Or, you can get two nights out of one pillowcase if you flip your pillow over. Keep a stack of white pillowcases, use a new one each day or two, and then wash them all in bleach water at the end of the week to kill germs.

Touching your face.

Do you pull on your skin when you're in the bathroom, trying to get a closer look at the breakout on your chin? Maybe you put your makeup on with your fingers or use your hands to itch your face throughout the day. Think of everything you touch with your hands – they get dirty rather quickly. And then you introduce that dirt and bacteria to your face, where it leads to breakouts. See if you can go an entire day without touching your face. Ask friends and family members to remind you to stop if they see you touching your face, and use a makeup brush or sponge (which you should wash daily) rather than your fingers to apply products.

Using cosmetics from a tub or jar.

Some moisturizers, sunscreens, and foundations are sold in little pots or jars rather than in bottles. If you're using this type of product, you're probably introducing acne-causing bacteria to your face each time you put the product on. It only takes one dip into the product with dirty fingers to contaminate it with bacteria. Switch to cosmetics that come in bottles that dispense the product cleanly. If you're really sold on a product in a jar, use a clean cotton swab to scoop out the product, rather than using your fingers.

For more information, contact local professionals like Associated Skin Care Specialists​.