1. Scented Body Wash

Scented body washes are famous for their ability to cause acne flare ups. One of the first things doctors recommend you do if you have body acne is to discontinue scented body washes. You don’t have to completely give up body wash; just look for one for sensitive skin or that’s unscented. Neutrogena actually has a body wash that’s specifically for acne prone skin. It’s called “Body Clear Body Wash.”

2. Squeezing

Squeezing can make your acne flare up much worse. It seems as if the opposite would be true, doesn’t it? You feel like you’re ridding your body of acne when you squeeze but you’re actually not. My teenagers’ pediatrician explained it in the following way. Squeezing acne releases the infection onto your exterior skin. This triggers another pimple to make an appearance in 4-6 weeks in the same area.

3. Sugar and Other Junk Foods

There’s been talk about whether or not foods in your diet cause acne for years. WebMD is weighing in and saying that yes, sugary and high fat foods can trigger acne. This link webmd.com can give you the full article to read if you’re interested. Even though the jury’s not completely in on this one, it can’t hurt to eat a little healthier. It could be the secret to getting rid of your acne issues forever.

4. Hair Products

Hair products can be a culprit for acne flare ups. Usually, the hair products in spray form are the ones you have to watch out for the most. You don’t have to give them up but you do want to shield your skin from them. Place one hand against your skin while you spray in that direction with the other hand. This will eliminate this acne trigger.

5. The Wrong SkinCare Products

Using the wrong skincare products could easily cause an acne flare up. If you have issues with acne then you want to look for a skincare line that’s specifically for your skin issues. Look for the word noncomedogenic on the package. This means it’s less likely to clog your pores. Noncomedogenic products cleanse your skin effectively without adding oils your acne prone skin doesn’t need.

6. A Germy Cell Phone

There’s no way you can avoid your cell phone but you can avoid the grime, dirt and germs that build up on it on a daily basis. You’d be amazed and probably horrified if you know how many germs your phone was crawling with. There are grime and germs that can cause an acne flare up as well as making you truly sick. But this doesn’t have to be an issue. Clean your phone daily with an antibacterial wipe and this problem will be a thing of the past.

7. Stress

No, you can’t totally avoid having stress in your life. But you can manage it. Do things that help you to deal with stress effectively such as journaling, working out and having a positive attitude. It’s also important to schedule in time for fun in your life. Having an all work and no play attitude is very likely to make you feel stressed.

These are 7 triggers of acne flare ups and how you can avoid them in your life. What causes your acne to flare up? Your experience could be helpful to others.