If you’re being plagued by pimples well into your 20s and 30s, there could be some simple methods to preventing such breakouts.
Aside from hormones, many of us don’t know what’s responsible for those nasty breakouts.
FEMAIL spoke to dermatologist, Dr Natasha Cook, to find out about the common mistakes that could be standing between us and blemish-free skin.
From holding your phone at your face to touching your complexion too much, the everyday causes are easily avoided.
FEMAIL spoke to dermatologist, Dr Natasha Cook (pictured), to find out about the mistakes that could be standing between us and blemish-free skin
A survey from the University of Arizona found that mobile phones carry ten times more bacteria than a loo seat – to keep them clean, don’t take them to the bathroom and wipe your smartphone a few times each month
1. Holding your phone next to your face
Bacteria on our phones could be the culprit for a pimple breakout.
In fact, a survey from the University of Arizona found that mobile phones carry ten times more bacteria than a toilet seat.
‘The two main pathways that a phone might impact your breakouts is through sweat, which might occlude or block the pores,’ Dr Cook told FEMAIL.
‘The other is though the spread of inflammatory bacteria.’
There are a few ways to keep your mobile free from as much bacteria and as many germs as possible, including keeping your device out of the bathroom and giving it a regular clean.
For those wanting to clean their smartphones, experts often recommend soft microfibre cloths.
Stay away from liquid or spray cleaners, which can damage your phone, and instead give them a once over several times a month.
Touching your face can often transfer dirt and bacteria to your skin, and, in turn, cause breakouts and inflammation (stock image)
2. Touching your face
The average person touches their face between 2,000 and 3,000 times every day – this is the equivalent of two to four times per minute.
This means that you are constantly transferring dirt and bacteria to your skin, which could lead to clogged pores, and in turn, breakouts and inflammation.
‘Touching creates trauma and inflammation,’ Dr Cook explained. ‘Squeezing additionally causes more problems in increasing your risk of scarring.’
Try to avoid consciously touching your face, and wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Lastly, never pop your pimples as this can lead to infection.
3. Over-washing
While you might think that washing would result in a clearer visage, in fact you can hit your complexion too hard with the cleansers and exfoliators.
‘Over-washing and scrubs tend to make acne and breakouts worse as they dry out the skin,’ Dr Cook said.
As well as making your skin dry, your skin will be forced to go into a ‘reactive oiliness – which leads to compensatory over-production of oil and more breakouts’.
Dr Cook added that foaming products are a particularly bad idea, because they ‘break down the outer barrier layer of skin and make you more prone to pick up bacteria in the skin’.
Avoid too many saturated fats if you want good skin, instead opting for a nutrient-rich approach that is also filled with good fats like extra virgin olive oil and avocado (stock image)
4. Eating junk
Countless dermatologists and dietitians believe that eating junk food can lead to clogged-up, spot-prone skin.
And in recent years, there has been a proliferation of brands targeting inner beauty – with the intention of promoting good health from the inside out.
Avoid too many saturated fats or hydrogenated fats if you want good skin, instead opting for a nutrient-rich approach that is filled with good fats like extra virgin olive oil and avocado.
Keep your sugar levels down too, as this can play havoc with our guts and complexions.
The Sydney-based dermatologist (pictured) also said it’s a good idea to cleanse just twice a day with a gentle, non-foaming product
How to prevent breakouts
Lastly, Dr Cook spoke about how you can prevent breakouts as often as is humanly possible.
‘Applying cell exfoliating and blackhead dissolving ingredients onto the skin as part of your regular routine, like salicylic acid and fruit acid help to speed up the healing of a breakout,’ she said.
‘However, they can also help to prevent a breakout in the first place.’
The Sydney-based dermatologist also said it’s a good idea to cleanse just twice a day with a gentle, non-foaming product.
‘And use a light moisturiser, that keeps moisture levels balanced as this will help to regulate sebum production,’ she said.
Lastly, look for skincare products with vitamin B3, which helps to heal and is a powerful topical anti-inflammatory.
For more information from Dr Natasha Cook, visit her website here.