While there are a number of factors that can cause acne, some of which you can’t control (like genetics), there are some things you do every day that could be giving you pimples. Dermatologist reveals the sneaky things that might be causing you to break out—what to do about them.

1. Your cell phone. How often do you clean your cell phone? If you’re seeing pimples on your cheeks or anywhere near the area where you hold your phone, they may be from those hour-long convos with your crush. Your phone picks up lots of dirt and bacteria (from your hands, your bag, the kitchen counter), which can then get transferred to your face when you’re chatting on the phone.Wipe your screen with an anti-bacterial wipe oftento get rid of dirt and germs.
2. Your pillowcase. Not changing your pillowcases enough can also cause your skin to break out. Even if you wash your face every night, your pillowcases carry dirt and sweat from your hair, hands, and build up from the products you use on your face at night, which can clog your pores, so it’s a good idea to change them every few days.
3. Your hands. You know how you rest your face on your hand while you’re studying? That might be the reason for those blemishes on your cheek or jaw. You’re constantly touching things that have germs—anything from your phone to your locker—so putting your hands on your face for a long period of time can cause dirt and bacteria from anything you touch to get into your pores.
4. Hair products. All that extra hairspray on your bangs could be the cause of those annoying pimples on your forehead and along your hairline. After applying hair products, swipe a cleansing wipe across your face and try to keep hair products away from your hairline. In addition to your face, hair products can cause bacne, too. Use a mild body wash after washing and rinsing hair to help keep body acne in check.
5. Lack of sleep. A late-night study sesh or binge-watching your favorite Netflix show until 3am is not healthy for you or your skin. Not sleeping enough can make your hormones get out of whack and raise your body’s stress levels, which can make you breakout. Aim to get at least eight hours of sleep to look and feel your best.
6. Popping your pimples. Sure, squeezing that zit might seem like it’s helping, but that’s only temporary. The more you pop a pimple, the longer it will last. If your hands are dirty, you’re only adding more germs and bacteria to your face, which slows down the healing process and can cause more pimples. Constantly picking at a pimple can also irritate it even more, causing redness and scarring. Instead, try a spot treatment with salicylic acid

Once considered the secret to flawless complexions by Japanese royalty, modern day royals like Meghan Markle also now swear by products infused with this superstar ingredient (the Duchess of Sussex loves Tatcha, a brand with many products revolving around the beautifying benefits of rice). Rice water has been lauded as a wonder ingredient for brightening, softening, and hydrating, frequently infused in luxe products with hefty price tags. But you don’t need to splurge to indulge in this royal beauty secret. Here, we reveal the scientific benefits of rice water for the face and the ultimate DIY hacks to boost its effectiveness.

THE SCIENCE

According to a  rice water soothes inflammation and accelerates healing. Participants with eczema- and dermatitis-prone skin reported a 20% improvement when they bathed in rice water for 15 minutes a day. The calming benefits of rice water for the face is partially ascribed to the significant levels of allantoin in rice, which soothes and moisturises. While sunscreen is the ultimate safeguard against sun damage, rice water has shown promising results in remedying textural skin damage wrought by UVA/UVB rays.  NYC Dermatologist  notes that rice water possesses anti-ageing properties, as it is abundant in nourishing minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, and vitamins B, C and E. Despite the grand claims attributed to this age-old ingredient,  says the jury is still out on the benefits of rice water, as there isn’t extensively researched evidence to back its efficacy. But Dr Schlessinger says current data indicates that rice water has the capacity to “smooth a rough texture, minimise pores, and encourage a brighter complexion”.

HOW TO USE RICE WATER

Licensed aesthetician Alicia Yoon and founder of Korean beauty website  says rice water has been a staple in Korean and Japanese beauty routines for centuries, lauded for its hydrating and illuminating effects. The benefits of rice water for the face also extend towards reducing pigmentation.

Her favourite rice water recipe is straightforward, taking less than 30 minutes to concoct.

• Rinse the rice to dislodge impurities.
• Pour water (it does not have to boiled) into a bowl of rice (the water should be filled slightly above the rice).
• Allow the rice to soak for 30 minutes, with a lid covering the container. Mix the formula thoroughly to ensure the rice is well distributed and saturated.
• Pro tip: When the rice is softer, at about the 20-minute mark, knead the rice to intensify the release of nutrients.
• After 30 minutes, strain the rice particles away from the rice water.
• You can use rice water as a gentle second cleanse (simply massage it over your face and rinse), apply it as a toner with a cotton pad, or mix a few drops into your favourite moisturiser.