1\ You're Not Using Moisturiser
We know what you’re thinking: Won’t moisturiser make my face even more oily?
Nope, says Dr Seemal Desai, professor of dermatology at the University of Texas Medical Centre.
If you’re using skin-drying products – like acne facewash – your body may respond by producing even more grease, says Dr. Desai. And that excess oil can clog your pores, trapping bacteria in and causing zits.
But using a moisturizer will hydrate your skin, preventing it from producing too much oil.
The Fix: Gently wash your face in the morning and at night.
If you have oily skin, look for a wash that contains 2 to 3 percent salicylic acid, suggests Dr. Desai. Sensitive skin? Glycolic acid tends to be less irritating.
After washing, lather on moisturiser.
2\ Your Phone is Grimey
Think about it: You touch your sticky keyboard, then send a text, maybe bite your nails, then make a call, holding your cell phone against your cheek.
It’s no wonder your smartphone is a hotbed for acne-causing bacteria.
Each time you put your phone to your face, you risk those germs seeping into your pores, potentially causing pimples.
This type of acne even has a name: Acne mechanica, in which rubbing against external objects causes breakouts.
“I see a lot of patients whose acne is worse on one cheek than the other,” says Dr. Desai.
The Fix: Wipe your smartphone screen with an alcohol pad every day to eliminate the bacteria, suggests Dr. Desai.
And the more you can avoid putting phone to face, the better. Instead, opt for speaker phone or headphones when you make a call.
3\ You're Eating the Wrong Carbs
A diet high in refined carbs like white bread or even sugary energy bars can promote oil production, says Men’s Health deramatology advisor Dr Adnan Nasir.
Skeptical?
In a recent Korean study, people who followed a low-glycemic diet that emphasized whole grains, fruit, and vegetables in favor of more refined carbs had fewer pimples after 10 weeks.
Their oil-producing glands actually shrank, too.
The Fix: You don’t have to give up bread – the Korean study participants got 45 per cent of their calories from carbohydrates.
But if you’re not already watching your added sugar and opting for whole grains, consider doing it for your skin.
4\ You're Too Stressed
Stress really can wreak havoc on your skin, says Dr. Blake.
Anxiety causes an increase in inflammatory markers called cytokines, he explains. These chemical signals trigger oil production – and subsequent breakouts.
The Fix: Reducing your stress is a tall order.
In the meantime, use a spot treatment, suggests Dr. Nasir. Apply a benzoyl peroxide ointment directly to your pimple. The benzoyl peroxide will kill the bacteria inside your zit, nipping the infection in the bud.
5\ It's in Your Genes
So you weren’t blessed with great skin. Bad genetic luck is one of the most common causes of adult acne, says Dr. Blake. It’s frustrating, but not hopeless.
The Fix: See your dermatologist, who may suggest a more aggressive treatment, says Dr. Blake.
Your options may include antibiotic ointments or pills that kill bacteria, or even more potent drugs like isotretinoin (previously known as Accutane), which halts oil production.
This article was originally published on MensHealth.com