Six reasons why you (maybe) wake up with breakouts on your face One day your skin could make Hailey Bieber jealous, the next day total panic, why?
I don’t know if it’s ever happened to you, but probably yes: you wake up one morning with redness, irritation, itching and a whole collection of tiny breakouts scattered pretty much everywhere. After putting two and two together and taking a look at what I’d been doing over the previous few weeks, I realised there probably wasn’t just one culprit. There were lots of little things that, combined, could have contributed to throwing my skin completely out of balance. And since I’m probably not the only person to have suddenly experienced a breakout without being able to figure out where it came from, I thought it was worth sharing what I found out.
Six reasons why you might be waking up with breakouts
Air conditioning and dust
@elleololol Combination skin is looking more like dry skin #elleololol #skincare #skintok #ac #dryskin #acmakesskindry #skincaretips #blackgirl #blackgirlskincare original sound - Lasẹ (Lash-Eh)
The first thing I hadn’t thought about was air conditioning. I recently stayed in a hotel and basically forgot to turn it off during the night. So, in that case, I can’t exactly say I didn’t bring it on myself. Spending hours sleeping with cold air blowing directly onto your face can contribute to drying out and irritating the skin, especially if it’s already feeling a little stressed. Then I started wondering: how clean are these systems, really? Air conditioning filters and components can accumulate dust and other particles which, if they aren’t regularly maintained, can then be recirculated into the surrounding air. This is even more relevant when we’re talking about air conditioning in places used by lots of people, such as trains and aeroplanes: besides dust, the air is constantly being circulated through shared spaces where there may also be germs, bacteria and allergens such as dust mites. That doesn’t necessarily mean any of this is enough to cause a breakout, but it certainly doesn’t help.
Synthetic fabrics
@shelbyglitch I have rosacea so that’s where my redness comes from but, omg the acne I was getting from my pillowcase and my mask was unreal it was huge cystic bumps #silkpillowcase #psa #acne #acneproneskin #beautytips #girlypop #fyp Hinoki Wood - Gia Margaret
Another thing I’ve started paying more attention to is the fabrics that stay in contact with your skin for hours. And I’m not just talking about clothes, but also bedding. Just think about your face resting against a synthetic pillowcase all night. Generally speaking, these materials tend to trap heat and sweat more easily and allow the skin to breathe less. If they stay against your skin for eight hours, especially when it’s already a little irritated, it’s not exactly ideal. The same goes for tight-fitting tops, pyjamas, bras, scarves, hats and anything else that stays in contact with your skin for long periods of time.
A change of environment
Even changing environments can affect your skin more than you might think. Not necessarily because of the stress that comes with a change - we can already factor that in - but because of everything else that changes around you. The air you breathe changes, as do humidity, temperature and, above all, the water you use to wash your face and drink. Water hardness can also cause some initial irritation: just as it can affect your hair, very hard water can leave residue on the skin and contribute to making it drier or redder.
Hair products
@carolinecitelli Thats about 5k in dermatologist apts and facials Ill never get back
And then there are hair products. If you notice that breakouts always appear in the same places, such as your temples, hairline, forehead or upper back, you might have found your answer. Masks, conditioners, oils and styling products, when they come into contact with the skin, can, for some people, contribute to clogging pores. So, especially when washing your hair, make sure to rinse conditioner and masks thoroughly, avoiding leaving any residue on your face or back.
Double cleansing, if you’re doing it wrong
@natalie_oneillll These mistakes are taking away from your results
One last thing I’ve started questioning is double cleansing. If the first product isn’t properly emulsified and rinsed off, it can leave residue on the skin and, especially if the formula is particularly rich or not suited to your skin type, contribute to clogged pores. So yes to double cleansing when you need it, but actually give it enough time to properly clean your face. Avoid rushing through it when you’re exhausted after a night out and the only thing you want to do is go to bed: in that case, it’s better to opt for micellar water and a foaming cleanser and take your time.