Acne: those tiny little bumps you get on your face that seem to just appear overnight. It's easy to say your occasional breakouts are a result of a stressful day at work but in reality there could be a number of things you're doing or coming into contact with that could be causing pimples to appear seemingly overnight. Even if you follow a strict skincare routine, there's still a chance acne and redness can creep up on your skin. Whether the cause is hormonal, environmental or simply because your skin is oily, we'll help you uncover the hidden factors that might be causing your pimples and the natural skin care products you can use to help you get rid of them!

Acne appears when

• Your follicles produce too much oil
• Your pores are clogged with dead skin cells
• Bacteria starts to grow in a clogged pore

Top Ten Causes of Acne and the Products That Can Help

1. Your cell phone

Think about the many places your cell phone goes in a day - from your bedroom, to the kitchen to work and yes, even to the bathroom. That's hundreds of potential bacteria-causing germs that could be landing on your phone, that are then being transferred to your face whenever you make a call.

2. Your body is low in Vitamin D

A body low in vitamin D doesn't function very well which can result in a compromised immune system. A compromised immune system means you are more likely to get sick making way for bad bacteria to enter your body and show up on your skin as acne.

3. Your daily coffee habit

As much as you might need that morning cup of coffee, having it could be the reason you're breaking out. That's because coffee raises your overall acidity level, which then throws of the PH balance of your body and creates inflammation on your skin.

4. You're wearing foundation when you work out

Thick makeup like foundation can clog your pores and cause sweat underneath to build up. Your skin then attracts dirt, which sits on your skin and causes acne.

5. Your lack of sleep

Not getting enough ZZZ's every night can lead to stress which in turn causes your cortisol levels to rise. This can cause you to break out as cortisol causes the skin to secrete more sebum, which then results in acne.

6. You're skipping the toner in your skincare routine

You're not alone if you go straight from cleansing to moisturizing without using a toner. But doing so can actually be contributing to the acne on your face. That's because toners help to rebalance the skin - soaps and cleansers can make your skin more alkaline.

7. You eat too much processed food

What you put into your body can have a huge impact on your skin. When you consume too much sugar, bread and processed carbs your body's glycemic index increases, cause it to produce more oil. Processed food can also cause glycation, a term used to describe the process of sugar breaking down skin cells. This can cause the collagen and elastin in your skin to weaken, leading to fine lines and wrinkles. What's more the yeast in breads creates bad bacteria in your body and when there's excess, the effects are reflected in your skin.

8. You constantly switch beauty products

When it comes to beauty products, many of us want instant gratification. We often get frustrated if our cleanser or lotion doesn't do exactly what it claims after the first or second use. But be patient - it can take at least two weeks for a product to start working. And swapping out products too often can throw off the PH levels of your skin which can then result in a breakout.

9. You ignore your pillowcase

You might not realize it but your pillowcase is actually covered in bacteria, sebum from your scalp and oily residue from the hair products you use. And where does all that stuff go when you lay your head down? Directly on to your face where it's bound to clog up your pores.

10. You constantly wear a baseball cap

Acne can often happen as a result of friction from hats or other athletic gear resting on your forehead. Sweat and other bacteria gets trapped underneath your hat and can cause your skin to become inflamed. Try to change up your hats often and always wash your athletic gear regularly to get rid of the sweat and bacteria.

So now that you know the causes of acne, here are the natural skin care products we recommend to help you prevent and treat your oily or acneic skin.

How to Create the Perfect Acne Skin Care Routine

1. Pure Fiji Purifing Cleanser

Why it works for oily/acneic skin:

• Hydrates while it cleanses
• Suits all skin types
• Helps gently cleanse acne prone skin
• Natural oil regulator
• Sulphate free (Sulphate strips the skin of natural oils that our skin actually needs for protection)

2. Pure Fiji Balancing Toner

Why it works for oily/acneic skin:

• Returns skin to the perfect pH to utilize and moisturize as efficiently as possible.
• Natural oil regulator
• Helps clear acne prone skin
• Alcohol free
• Suits all skin types

3. Pure Fiji Exfoliating Scrub

Why it works for oily/acneic skin:

• Removes dead skin cells & impurities in the skin
• Natural oil regulator
• Will not clog pores
• Helps fight inflammation of the skin
• Helps clear acne prone skin

4. Pure Fiji Dilo Oil

Why it works for oily/acneic skin:

• Wound healing with antibiotic properties
• Dry oil will not leave skin greasy
• Helps repair and minimize acne scars
• Soothes irritation and inflammation
• Hydrates the skin

Breakouts happen to the best of us but thankfully they are often both preventable and treatable. That's why it's good to know the reason pimples appear overnight and how to get rid of them, especially as we approach the holiday season. The last thing you want is to have an unattractive zit on your face right before your office work party or that holiday picture with your family! Whether your acne is hormonal or because of oily skin, doing your best to avoid the causes above will definitely help to minimize any breakouts that do appear and the redness, scars and dark spots that come with it. Be sure to follow our blog for choosing the best natural products for your skin care routine and you'll surely keep any potential breakouts at bay!

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