On the grand hierarchy of problems we face every day, an acne breakout may seem relatively low on the list. Regardless, acne sucks. 

Even worse, we all have those sudden blemishes that just appear for no apparent reason, right? But it's just not a coincidence. 

There are many surprising reasons that do our skin no favors and can easily trigger an acne breakout. To shed some light, we'll list some of the most common ones in this blog post. So keep on reading! 

Eating the wrong foods

Your eating habits play a large role in maintaining your skin healthy and glowing. Some people have different reactions to foods. Here are some type of foods that mostly affect the skin: 

• Spicy foods - This type of food can upset skin and disrupt its pH levels. It causes blood vessels to dilate, making the skin turn red and inflamed. 
• Nuts - Containing a high concentration of omega-6s which is a pro-inflammatory nutrient, nuts can irritate skin and cause sudden acne flare-ups. 
• Sugar - Eating chocolates may trigger inflammation and acne into skin. 

What to do: First, talk with a dermatologist to examine your skin and find what food can cause breakout and other conditions. Meanwhile, try to moderate your consumption with foods that already triggered your skin. 

Sleeping on a dirty pillowcase

Dirty pillowcase and acne. That's one of the grossest combinations we see more than times than we like. If you don't regularly change your pillowcase, you'll be sleeping in a pool of sweat, oil, and dirt, regardless that you cleanse your face and all that. All these germs accumulated, being transferred to our face while we're sleeping can lead to acne breakouts. 

What to do: Change your pillowcase once a week. Always wash your skin before bed. If possible, set up your room to be cool, where you will not be sweating tons in the middle of the night. For the best result, try using a cleanser like Jumiso All day Vitamin Clean & Mild Facial Cleanser. 

Here's a testimony from one of our customers. 

Juliet:

This cleanser does not only smell good but also feels good when applied. Think of applying vitamins directly to your face. It gives you that fresh look everyday.

Having the wrong hairstyle

If you have bangs or fringes that touch your forehead and face, chances are you have already suffered from those small bouts of acne that just keep cropping in from time to time. This may be due to the dirt and oil that the hair brings to the skin when these two touches. 

What to do: For people with sensitive or oily skin, keep in mind your hairstyles. This is not to say to completely avoid having bangs or fringes, but try to avoid wearing your hair like these when working out and other activities where you might be sweating a lot. 

Working out 

In connection with having the right hairstyle, working out can also lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Sweats and excess oils can find a nice little home in your skin and cause breakouts and clogged pores.

What to do: After a sweaty sesh in the gym, make sure to thoroughly clean your skin of clogged dirt and oils. We recommend using a powerful cleanser like Mizon Pore Fresh Mild Acid Gel Cleanser that can draw out impurities deep into the skin and leave it comfortably clean. 

Using the wrong ingredients 

We all have those moments of having a breakout after using a new skincare product. This is why it's important to know what makes up the product you use in your acne-prone skincare routine. Here are some ingredients that can yield a bad reaction: 

• Mineral oil - It can be ultra-moisturizing when used right, but it's also known to disrupt and clog your pores. 
• Silicones - This is also a pore-clogging ingredient.
• Synthetic fragrance - It irritates the skin surface and causes redness.

What to do: Take the time to research what skincare products you use. For starters, avoid the common irritants we listed above. If you have sensitive skin, make it a habit to go for all-natural and cruelty-free products. Also, non-comedogenic products are skin saviors, specially made to NOT clog the pores of dirt and oil. So if you're on the look-out for a brand that you can always count on to deliver minimalist and cruelty-free results, consider Pyunkang Yul — it's not fussy or frilly, but it's super-efficient. 

Using dirty makeup brushes 

Now, this is no brainers. Dirty makeup brushes are always bad news for your skin. If you neglect to wash your brushes, they can accumulate dirt and dust. And believe us — you don't want those bacteria touching your face even for a second.

What to do: Regularly clean your makeup brush once a week. Simply use water and regular soap. If you want a more thorough cleansing process, get yourself some brush-cleaning tools. 

Alternatively, use a COSRX Clear Fit Blemish Cushion to avoid the daily use of makeup brushes. Of course, always wash the makeup puff as well.

Here's a helpful testimony from one of our customers. 

Car D:

This product is perfect for my sensitive and acne-prone skin. When I first tried it, I was really surprised on its coverage. I love it!! I also didn't breakout. This is highly recommended!!

Stressing out and not having enough sleep 

Beauty rest is one of the easiest skin treatments. It's a free, sure-fire way to take care of your skin. So it's no wonder when you miss out on a good night's sleep, your skin can be a bit dull and prone to acne come morning.

Also, stress can be a big factor in any sudden acne breakout. As you feel the pressure, your skin produces stress hormones and increases your oil production.  

What to do: Self-care is the key to relieve stress. This means sleeping well and doing everything that can help you relax and just...chill. Easy peasy. Make sure to pamper your skin in the process with some rejuvenating mask. Try looking at the wide range of  Mizon Joyful Time Essence Mask. 

 Here's a 5-star review from one of its users. 

Anonymous, Combination: I used this once a week to pamper my skin and it is so nice that it deeply hydrates my skin. I love how my skin so soft and glowy in the morning when I wake up. I recommend this product. 

Pollution 

Pollution can be one of the things we find hard to escape (especially for urban dwellers). Being exposed to the harsh elements can wreak havoc to our skin. The effects range from early signs of aging, acne scars, redness to blemishes. 

What to do: It may be hard to avoid the vile effect of pollution on your skin. To minimize the damage, make sure to do restorative skincare treatment. Unclog those pores of dirt and bacteria. For on-the-go refreshing sesh, include a facial wipe in your beauty kit. We recommend Pyunkang Yul Cleansing Tissue that provides a convenient relief to your skin while delivering moisturizing benefits. 

Here's a review from one of its users:

Anonymous, Sensitive: 

I tried several facial wipes before and most of them doesn’t fit well with my sensitive skin. Most of the results I get are pimples or face not thoroughly cleaned but with this, it gets all the dirts in my face and neck.  

Touching your face/picking at your zits 

The act of touching your face itself can spread the bacteria in your face. Even worse, picking your pimples out of habit can result in an angrier cluster of blemishes as it pushes bacteria deeper into the pores. 

What to do: Our best advice - stop touching your face. Easier said than done, but once you discipline yourself enough, it can make a lot of differences to your skin. Meanwhile, make sure to sanitize your hands if you're still doing this unconsciously.

If you have an existing acne breakout, turn to an actual treatment like COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch, one of the K-beauty's top secrets right now. 

Here's a 5-star review from one of its users. 

Alyssa, Oily: 

I always make sure to have a stock of this pimple patch for that time of the month when I have breakouts. It really works wonders to my face. I love that it comes with different sizes. It really makes the pimples disappear faster. Plus, the patch prevents you from further irritating your pimples if you're the type that touches your face every now and then. This has been a lifesaver, especially if you have an important event coming up in the next few days and a surprise pimple pops up. :)

For alternatives, we also have the ever-gentle Pyunkang Yul Acne Spot Patch Super Thin and the game-changing Mizon Bye Bye Pimple Patch. 

OVER TO YOU! 

When in doubt, visit a dermatologist for a professional check-up to your skin. Use the right skincare products and always read the label. Here in Go Bloom and Glow, you can easily find authentic Korean skincare products that have the corresponding descriptions and functions. Order now and enjoy free shipping for purchases worth P1999 and above.

What are your favorite skin-busting products? Let us know in the comment section below!