Five Everyday Items Making Your Acne Worse

We’ve compiled list after list of comedogenic products and ingredients (including products recommended by “experts”), acne-causing health foods, supplements and workout powders, and even lifestyle choices that may break you out. We’ve even made lists of “things you would never suspect” that can break you out. But here’s a simple, short list of everyday items that could be sneakily causing some issues to your pores. Take a read and consider your breakouts to see if these things could be causing your acne some unnecessary extra grief.

1. Hockey Helmets

We know hockey is time-consuming, but please take an extra minute post-game or practice to thoroughly wipe your helmet down with alcohol wipes after each use. Your hairline breakouts will thank you! The same goes for softball and baseball helmets – and any other sports that require helmets! Forgive us; we’re not very sporty!

2. Sports Bras

Be sure to remove your sports bra as soon as possible after your workout. Never use fabric softener or dryer sheets when washing your sportswear, and please do NOT re-wear without first washing! Check out more laundry tips here.

3. Your Hair

It’s not your fault you were born with luscious locks! However, if you’re prone to breakouts near your hairline or the sides of your neck – you’ll want to limit the types of styling products you use and also try to keep your hair pulled back on days when you use more hair products. We also recommend keeping your hair off your skin the longer you go in between shampoos because there’s likely more product and oil build-up in it – and we want to protect your pores from that build-up.

4. Your Partner’s Scruff

While facial hair is hot, the friction it creates during your smooches is even hotter – causing all sorts of irritation and acne on your chin. :( If your chin is prone to irritation and acne, ask your partner to sacrifice their chin scruff so your chin can be smooth.

5. Makeup Compacts

Even if you’ve done your due diligence to ensure your powder compact only includes acne-safe ingredients, it can sadly still break you out. Be cautious of the sponges with which you reapply the compact’s powder. That sponge now holds your oils and any other bacteria, product, makeup, or debris that were also on the surface of your skin – AND you’re supposed to store it right back in the same compact. It’s a “no” for us, dawg (we heart you, Randy Jackson!).