These Habits Might Be Causing Your Breakouts

The only thing more frustrating than getting breakouts is getting breakouts and having no idea why. It makes sense if it's your time of the month, or if you've skimped on cleansing, but when zits pop up for no explicable reason, it can be pretty troublesome — but you may have more control over it than you think. There are several common habits that can make you break out, so you may be contributing to pimples without even realizing it. Whoopsies.

You take the best care of your skin that you can — I mean, no one wants zits — but there are things you could be doing, even things totally unrelated to skincare, that cause pimples to pop up on the regs. Since they seem unrelated, it's hard to connect the dots sometimes, but if you're doing anything on this list, then your monthly may not be the only thing to blame for those breakouts.

Having to make lifestyle changes isn't always simple, but clear skin is totally worth the extra effort. If you do any of these things regularly, they could be the cause of your breakouts, so it might be time to make a change. Old habits die hard...

1. Going Too Hard With Acne Products

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You're trying to fight zits, so you amp up your product game, only to find more zits popping up. What gives?! Acne-fighting products are notoriously drying, and overly drying out your skin can cause breakouts, so use these products sparingly, moisturize well, and add a more gentle cleanser into your routine.

2. Eating Junk Food

Not to kill your spirt or anything, but sugar greasy foods, white flour, etc. can cause acne, so make sure you eat these foods in moderation.

3. Not Washing Your Sheets

They don't look dirty, so they're fine, right? Wrong. Bacteria can build up on your pillows, and when you sleep on them every night, they can get on your face and cause pimples, so wash and change them once or twice a week.

4. Using Oily Hair Products

I know what you're thinking — what does your hair have to do with your skin? If you have bangs or your front pieces touch your forehead/face regularly, your skin comes in contact with whatever product is on your hair, and if it's one with oil, silicones, or plasticizers, it can clog your pores and cause pimples.

5. Not Cleansing After The Gym

If you're sweating, you need to wash your face. Period.

6. Kissing

Boyfriend has a beard? That can irritate your skin and cause breakouts. But you don't have to swear off making out altogether. Just try these tips to help heal next time your skin gets irritated.

7. Not Washing Your Makeup Brushes

Think of all the dirt and bacteria you are spreading to your face from those brushes. That alone should make you want to clean them on the regs.

8. Talking On The Phone

Bacteria can transfer from your phone to your cheek when you talk on it, so make sure you clean your phone case, or just switch to text/bluetooth.

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