Code Red: 5 Hidden Reasons You May Be Breaking Out

Are you battling a breakout? If you responded with a yes, the next question to ask yourself is quite simply, “Why?” Sometimes the answer is clear—poor diet, stress, hormonal fluctuations, etc.—but other times you might be left completely bewildered as to why pesky pimples are suddenly seeking refuge on your complexion. But don’t fret! Below, we’re sharing five lesser-known reasons your skin is covered in blemishes. Warning: Some of these hidden reasons you’re breaking out may come as a shock to you.  

REASON #1: YOUR PILLOWCASE 

Your pillowcase is subjected to hair product residue, dirt, makeup, dead skin cells, oil, and more on the regular, right? Now, picture this: You neglect to wash said pillowcase for months on end, allowing all of that gunk to build up and continue to come in contact with your skin night after night. It’s like begging for breakouts! To help avoid the transfer of dirt and bacteria onto your skin, consider washing your pillowcase at least every other week. If you’ve used a lot of hair or skin product one day, be sure to change your pillowcase before going to bed that night.

REASON #2: YOUR CELLPHONE

Let’s face it: We’re all glued to our cellphones throughout the day. Are we paying the price with an increased likelihood of breakouts? Pimples—especially around the chin and jawline—could be the result of dirt and bacteria on our smartphones mixing with the oils and makeup on our faces, leading to—you guessed it—breakouts and blemishes. To help keep phone-related breakouts at bay, make sure you wipe down your device to remove pore-clogging gunk. 

REASON #3: YOUR HAIR

Have bangs? You might be experiencing more frequent breakouts as a result. That’s because bangs can grab hold of excess oil on our T-Zone and mix with sweat, makeup, and other impurities lingering on our skin’s surface. Pair that with hair product being absorbed by pores and infrequent showers and, well, you get the idea. When possible, pull your hair back to keep your face free of clutter—especially when you’re sleeping.

REASON #4: YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES

Makeup brushes are a breeding ground for oil, dead skin cells, dust, and bacteria, none of which play well together on your skin. Always make sure to clean your makeup brushes and sponges regularly. We share exactly how to clean makeup brushes and sponges here. 

REASON #5: YOUR HANDS 

Think about how many things our hands come into contact with daily. Keyboards, door knobs, food…the list goes on. Your hands may feel clean, but there’s a high likelihood that they’re harboring pore-clogging bacteria, so you don’t want to bring them in contact with your face. The same holds true for using your hands to pop a pimple—just don’t do it!

Can’t kick the bad habit? Follow these helpful tips to stop picking at your skin once and for all!