During puberty I spent years combating pimples on my forehead and chin. Now in my mid-20s, I tend to breakout along my cheeks. While I don’t deny that hormones probably played a role in my formative years, I feel confident that what my face came in contact with were major factors as well. Quality products and a solid regimen are only as good as your habits, so consider whether you should implement these six practices to banish pimples.
Wear your hair up
When your hair comes in contact with your face, it is transferring dirt, products, and more sebum onto your skin, causing clogged pores and inflammation. I love my afro but I hate pimples more. Consistently wearing your hair loose or rocking bangs is a sure way to counteract the efforts of your skin care regimen.
Don’t like puffs, twists, and crown braids? Consider donning head wraps. After wearing head wraps every day for a month, my constant fight with forehead pimples from wash and go’s were gone. True story. Try it out and see what happens. Don’t think about whether you have “the face” to wear your hair up. Just do it. Give yourself two weeks to a month and I bet you’ll see a difference in your skin.
Cover your hair at night
Satin bonnets and scarves may not be sexy, but if your hair is long enough to touch your face, you may be rolling on it at night, transferring products from your hair to your bedding and onto your face. At the very least, put your hair up and away from your face.
Wash your hands before washing your face
This is even more applicable to those who apply products to dry skin like cleansing oils and cleansing balms. My face is the last thing I clean in the shower because of the perspiration, and before touching my face I wash my hands again after scrubbing my body with the wash cloth. You always want to eliminate any possibility of spreading germs.
Wash your face after you wash your hair
Wiping product off your face will not ensure that it is thoroughly removed. If shampoo is required to remove product buildup from your hair, then the same applies to your face but don’t use shampoo on your face.
After applying my leave-in conditioner, I usually wrap my hair in a Curly Tee Towel to catch dripping product while I wash the rest of my body and complete my facial regimen outside the shower. Being intentional about this has also reduced my amount of back acne.
Wash your hands after styling your hair
The times that your hands do come into contact with your face, you do not want traces of hair care products on your fingers. Never go straight from coifing your hair to applying skin care products without washing your hands. This is also essential before you go to bed. Wash your hands after applying lotion. You may be resting your face on your hands, again, transferring more hair care products to your face.
Wash your face immediately after exercising
I know you may be tired, hungry, or in a rush, but please do not give your pores time to close with dirt, bacteria, and sweat jammed packed in there. Always carry your skin care products to the gym. If your regimen is extensive, at least pack a cleanser, serum or treatment, and moisturizer with SPF.
Simple, right? Keep your hands clean and your face clear.
Featured head wraps are from The Wrap Life.
What poor habits were causing you to breakout?