Don't forget the basics.
1. Clean Bedsheets
Yes, you've heard it a million times but we are here to tell you again :)
One of the most important things to do when you suffer from problem skin is to change your bedsheets regularly. You will spend roughly 8 hours in bed every single day and it is not uncommon to sweat during the night. Therefore, it is vital that your body is not being exposed to bacteria that has built up from days before, when you go to bed.
2. Clean Towels
Who would've thought? Clean bedsheets and clean towels.
Towels are great at carrying bacteria, so much so that they have even been linked to spreading diseases. And yes, that is meant to make you think twice about how often you wash them.
It is important to use clean towels every few days if you are serious about preventing skin problems.
3. Balanced Diet
We are not hear to tell you that you have to maintain a strict and healthy diet for all of eternity. However, we want to make it very clear that your skin is in fact an organ and should be treated like one. As you avoid/consume certain foods in order to keep other organs healthy, you should do the same for you skin.
For some people this might mean reducing greasy or sugary foods and for others it might mean incorporating more healthy vitamins into your diet. The idea is to be aware of what causes your breakouts whether it be consuming too much of something or not enough. Everyone's skin is different and you need to learn what's best for you.
4. Avoid Harsh Routines
Now, five-step skincare routines can work brilliantly for some people but, yet again, everyone's skin is different.
It is important to consider your skin's sensitivity and note that some ingredients might cause you irritation. Therefore, when you start using new skincare products you should use them individually or pair them with products that you already know work well with your skin.
For example, if you are new to using skincare products, do not go straight in with five different products. One of those products might work brilliantly on your skin and two might give you irritation, but how are you to know what works and what doesn't if you group them all together. This is why the best routines are built up overtime and are tailored to you specifically.
It's easy to stumble across a video on social media which lists all of the products being used and that's great, but remember everyone's skin is different.
5. Avoid Sweaty Clothes
Next on the list is sweaty clothes. This can be a huge contributing factor to breakouts for people who exercise and workout regularly.
Unfortunately, it is pretty much impossible to prevent yourself from sweating and having bacteria build up on your body during a workout. But as exercise is extremely important, the next best thing to do is wear light, loose-fitting clothes and shower as soon as possible after a workout.
If you sit in sweaty clothes for a prolonged period of time then it is extremely likely that your pores will become clogged and breakout.
6. Rinse Properly
Cleansing your skin is important but it's equally important to make sure that you rinse off shower gels, shampoos and conditioners properly. The majority of these products are not designed to sit on your skin for a prolonged period of time so it can cause irritation and breakouts if you leave them on your skin by not rinsing properly.
7. Clean Hand Towels
Our biggest pet peeve. Hand towels.
Just as body towels need to be changed regularly so do hand towels. If you cleanse your skin and then apply a post-cleansing skincare product such as a moisturiser then please, please make sure that you are drying your hands with a clean towel.
We recommend that you just use your body towel if you do not have a clean hand towel nearby. When multiple people use the same hand towel and it remains damp from being used throughout the day this becomes the perfect place for bacteria to harbour. So think twice about using a dirty hand towel when putting on that final skincare product.