Is Your New Relationship Giving You Acne?
What’s more exciting (and anxiety-inducing) than a new relationship?! So, it’s not surprising that it could be wreaking havoc on your skin for a variety of reasons. No matter how old you are, the first few dates are likely to send you into a hormonal tailspin and throw you off your skincare game, especially when you are in the overnight phase. Breakouts may be inevitable, but don’t say we didn’t warn you. While we can’t keep you from spiraling when your new potential partner doesn’t text you back, we can save your skin a spiral, or two, with these “ah-ha!” moments.
You aren’t cleansing your face (with your stuff)
You may think their drugstore cleanser is fine once in a while, but when all of the sudden you are breaking out – don’t be too surprised. Pore cloggers hide EVERYWHERE. Cetaphil is one of the most common culprits, containing Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (a 5 out of 5 on the pore-clogging scale). And CeraVe PM lotion is another common pore-clogger that boasts an acne-safe label (but yet contains acne-causing Cetearyl Alcohol + Ceteareth 20). It may feel fine and you may think it doesn’t bother you – but let us tell you that in relationships and skinships, hindsight is always 20/20. Just pack your stuff. If you can’t handle all the things, at least your Skin MPLS-approved cleanser and moisturizer will keep your skin stable here and there. If you are spending more than one overnight per week, it’s time to break the seal and talk about your skincare needs.
You can’t get enough sushi dates
By now you should know dairy is a major skin culprit, and the easiest things to avoid (without going cold turkey on cheese plates) are drinking cow's milk and eating ice cream. But, did you know sushi can be a huge acne culprit as well? Seaweed and some fish are extremely high in iodine which irritates the skin when you sweat it out (read more here). Also, soy can trigger some people’s acne which is obviously one of the best parts of the sushi experience. We try to change as little as possible when it comes to your lifestyle while still clearing acne, but if your partner and you have made sushi night a Tuesday tradition, it’s time to consider other options. Also, we’ve seen skin go downhill when people start dating a vegan. Fruits and vegetables will do your skin wonders, but tofu, soy, and algae-based meats will be a shock to your system and your skin.
There’s something in their laundry
Does your partner smell like Downy? It may be a lingering way to remember them, but it may also be clogging up YOUR pores. If you are frequenting overnight where pillowcases and towels are smelling like dryer sheets or fabric softener, don’t be surprised if in a few weeks you are noticing some breakouts – especially on your cheeks. Clean pillowcases are important, and making sure they are cleaned with acne-friendly detergent and not using fabric softener or dryer sheets is even more important. The best detergent is free and clear of any fragrance, dyes, and sodium lauryl sulfate. Worried your partner might think you are high maintenance when you start shaking up their laundry? Well, you are. So, it’s about time you just get it out in the open.
Their rugged scruff is irritating your skin
Has watching Yellowstone turned you on to scruffy mountain men? Also, are you noticing that patchy beards and careless facial hair seem to really be trending right now? While you might like the look, chances are your face doesn’t love the friction (nor the beard oils). New love comes with lots of smooches and our skin barrier can get stressed. If you have become red and irritated from their facial hair, you may have to make some skincare changes. Use a combo of antibacterial and soothing ingredients to keep it under control. We recommend Mandelic Acid Wash, Skin Nourishing Toner, lots of O2 Calming Gel, and Dual Barrier Lotion right after a major make-out session!
You are stressin’
Hormones and stress are the leading cause of uncontrollable acne. This means that we have a hard time removing these triggers and then just have to work around them. One of the most common problems with stress is picking. We can picture it, you’re waiting at home (looking really good) and anxiously picking your skin in front of the mirror while watching those three dots on your iPhone pop on and off, over and over again. We don’t get it either, just finish the text – right?! Anyway, whether it’s love or lust, the waiting game is not fun. Watch those fingers though, skin picking is the saddest thing we see people do to themselves. And oftentimes, it’s the only thing keeping them from feeling confident in their skin. While we wish we could take the anxiety that causes picking away, all we can do is reinforce (and beg) you to keep your fingers off your face!
