8 Sneaky Acne Causes

[GothicRavenGoddess (3)]

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The Scoop Who knew everything from jewelry to cell phones can cause pimples? Waking up to a blazing red zit can turn your day (or even week) into a game of cover up. Even when you wash your face twice a day with potent cleansers and sloughers, you can still wind up looking like you've lost a battle with a red marker. We talked to Dr. Fredric Brandt about unexpected complexion saboteurs.

Phones The next time you're chatting it up with whomever, don't forget to hang up and wipe down! Dr. Brandt recommends wiping your phone clean with an anti-bacterial or alcohol towelette every other day. "Some office items like keyboards, coffee mugs, telephones are dirtier than toilets," says Dr. Brandt. Plus, a recent study shows the nickel content in some cell phones can cause an acne-like rash known as "mobile phone dermatitis."

Makeup Tools You may be dusting powder onto a freshly cleansed face, but that still doesn't stop bacteria and other zit-causing grime (ick!) from sticking to your brushes and sponge applicators. Wash your makeup tools once a week with baby shampoo to help prevent brush-induced blemishes. If you already have acne, Dr. Brandt recommends cleaning even more often to keep the bacteria away.

Hands "We do not realize everything we touch throughout the day," says Dr. Brandt. "Money, handles, pens, the steering wheel. So it's extremely important to wash our hands!" Bottom line: Keep your hands away from your face. And that means no resting your chin in your hand or picking current outbreaks.

Antibacterials Sure, it sounds like a swell idea to douse skin with germ-killing serum or lotion to prevent acne. Wrong. Put down the anti-bac unless you've actually got a breakout! "The more antimicrobial ingredients you use, the greater your chances of creating resistant strains," says Dr. Brandt. "We are facing that problem now with the overuse of antibiotics."

Jewelry If you've got a case of chest-ne, don't scrub your decollete and slather on the drying lotion. You may be allergic to that fabulous piece of costume jewelry you wore last night - or even your latest floral spritz. Dr. Brandt notes that many women have metal and fragrance allergies that can cause breakouts.

Your Diet Aqua, water, H2o. Whatever you call it, drink lots of it. "Drinking plenty of water will help your skin look its best," says Dr. Brandt, who recommends going light on the fatty, fried foods and soda. A Hershey bar isn't going to be the sole cause of Mt. Fuji on your face, but too many fries can take a toll over time.

Pillows Before you say "sweet dreams," think about the last time you changed your pillowcase! "We sleep with millions of microorganisms – we are never alone," says Dr. Brandt. Refresh your pillow at least twice a week if you are especially acne prone. "The micro-environment created between your skin and the surface of the pillow is great for bacterial growth."

Towels Pillowcases aren't the only linens to consider. Check out the rest of your trousseau. Using a wash cloth or towel more than once can foster bacteria growth, particularly for those with constant breakouts. Like pillows, it's best to use white cotton and clean them in bleach to kill any lingering bacteria, adds Dr. Brandt.

Plus! We track a popular acne treatment's many reported ties to birth defects, depression and bowel disease.

Edited October 27, 2009 by GothicRavenGoddess

[GothicRavenGoddess (3)]

7 views and no responses lol

i figured people would add things they think had attributed to their breakouts.. mine are probably all these and the extra testosterone I got in my blood from the PCOS. yeah... ode to joy lol

[Sparrow]

I'm probably necroing, but I seriously didn't know all that stuff caused the mountainous protrusions on my face! I will take this to heart and memorize it as if I were an actor/tress memorizing a theatre piece!

Edited November 20, 2009 by Sparrow

[Rev.Reverence]

I'm probably necroing, but I seriously didn't know all that stuff caused the mountainous protrusions on my face! I will take this to heart and memorize it as if I were an actor/tress memorizing a theatre piece!

...necro-posting good...

*pats head*

[torn asunder]

...necro-posting good...

necro-post good...

[Rev.Reverence]

necro-post good...

[AstralCrux]

I only get acne before the female stuff, so I recommend not being a girl.

[GothicRavenGoddess (3)]

cuz you know... we all can control that....

[Fidget(+)]

yeah doesn't help me.

-sniffles in a corner-