6 Unsuspecting Causes of Acne

There are 6 unsuspecting causes of acne that most people overlook. Waxing, threading, unkempt space, expired product, and unfiltered water all contribute to acne break outs. We are not here to discuss the causes that you already know of, such as dirty makeup brushes, and your cell phone. I am also not here to tell you to drink more water, because I am more than certain that you have heard that already. These are the sneaky culprits often overlooked when dealing with skin issues. It does sound like a lot of responsibility, but it is not. I want to go more into detail for why each entry creates problems, and how to solve them.

1) Waxing & Threading 🍯

There is no better feeling than leaving the salon looking like a brand new person. That fresh-faced feeling can fade fast if you break out 24-48 hours later. There are so many things to avoid after a wax or threading service. Heat, sun, makeup, vaseline, sweating, pools; that is a lot to restrict. I live in hot humid Florida, where it is almost impossible to not sweat. These services may work for some, but not all.

According to Vogue India’s article titled, ‘4 reasons why you’re seeing more acne around your eyebrows’, hair removal methods such as threading, tweezing, and waxing can lead to breakouts around the brows. Dr. Sethi explains, “You can get folliculitis, which is an infection of the hair follicle if it has been manipulated.” These methods of hair removal can cause micro tears and irritation that open the door to bacteria. A good alternative that is more gentle on the skin is tweezing. Another is the electric razor that shaves the hair without touching the skin.

2) Unkempt Space 🧽

I am not just talking about having things in order. When things sit in the same place for a long time, they begin to accumulate dust and other unseen particles that can harbor bacteria. This is especially true for makeup, skincare, and shower essentials; grime and bacteria thrive here. Alcohol and bleach are very effective for removing this buildup. Also deep cleaning the little spaces in-between and changing sheets often.

3) Dirty Water 💦

Unfiltered water causes break outs as it contains bacteria, encouraging not only break outs, but a plethora of skin issues. This includes eczema and dandruff. Make sure you are using clean water by changing your shower filter twice a year and drinking water filter every 3-4 months. Although, these numbers can vary depending on what kind of filters you use. When looking for a filter, try looking for ones that remove chlorine, heavy metals, and bacteria.

The NY Times goes into great detail and has some great recommendations in their article titled, “Here’s the Actual Deal With Filtered Showerheads“, which was published September 16th, 2024. They also cover if getting a shower filter would be a good idea for you, and some things you should consider before buying into one, and make a great point to regularly clean your shower head, filter or no filter. Soft water not only improves the health of your skin, but also your hair.

4) Expired Products 🧴

Skincare does not last forever. They either expire within a time frame of being opened or to a certain date. To know when your product expires, check to see if you find an open jar symbol that with a number such as 12M. This means ’12 months after opening’. If you can not find this symbol, look for an expiration date instead. If not taken care of properly and cleaned often, they tend to expire even quicker. Avoiding cross contamination will help your products last longer by not introducing bacteria into your products. Make sure you are always using a spatula for product jars. If reusable, clean after every use, and if disposable, throw out after every use. For other products, make sure your hand does not touch the nozzle. Instead, use something clean or dispense onto your hand in the air.

5) Toothpaste 🪥

According to an article from The Hindustan Times, “A skincare expert has revealed a connection between acne breakouts and your teeth-brushing routine. Dr. Mehss, a medical student from Turkey, suggests that the order in which you brush your teeth could be contributing to unwanted pimples.” It is easy for a little left over toothpaste to go unnoticed. When left around the mouth and corner of the lips, the skin becomes a breeding ground for bacteria in your pores. Oftentimes, the bacteria will spread from there onto other areas. After brushing, always double-check the corners of your mouth and rinse thoroughly.

6) Doing Too Much 🧖‍♀️

Sometimes people will overanalyze themselves. They will grab one of those 10x magnifying mirrors and a tiny pimple will turn into a mountain. This causes feelings of self-consciousness and stress, which can be overwhelming. Over-cleansing, using too many products and active ingredients, picking at the skin, and constantly manipulating or over-treating the skin is a problem in itself. Your skin can solve things on their own, if you get a break out, dabbing a bit of salicylic acid or benzyl peroxide on the break out every couple days, and doing your routine as usual is your best bet. Constantly using harsh products and picking and overanalyzing your skin will cause stress and inflammation.

Acne is not always caused by these culprits, but they are often overlooked. It is so easy to forget to check the expiration date of your products, or to not notice the leftover toothpaste on your chin this morning. However, if you are striving for clear, healthy skin, it is crucial to be mindful of these small yet impactful details. As healthy skin obviously does not come from solely rinsing your face with water and sleeping in your makeup, it comes from consistent, attentive care.