13 Things You Had No Idea Were Making You Break Out

1. Your smartphone is spreading germs.

If your cell is attached to your ear at all times and you coincidentally seem to be breaking out on one side of your face or jawline, more often than not, you can place blame on your mobile device. When you touch your phone, you transfer all the germs you have on your hands onto your phone — not to mention the feces particles that landed on your phone while you were using the restroom (we all do it). That bacteria gets into your skin, causing blemishes to brew.

2. Your body is low in vitamin D.

When you're system is low in vitamin D, it doesn't function as well and your immune system can weaken. This not only leaves you susceptible to getting sick quicker, it means bad bacteria can invade the body and show up on your skin as acne.

Supplementing your diet with a multivitamin and mineral is crucial for sustained optimum health, energy and a consistent mood. It is nearly impossible to get the necessary vitamins and minerals our bodies need daily from our diet.

Supplementation is easy, convenient and allows us to fill the nutritional gaps created by our modern lifestyles and diets. OptiVite contains 12 essential vitamins and 9 minerals with added salmon oil for its omega 3 benefits and Rooibos extract – the perfect daily vitamin combination to improve your health.

Skin cells consist of nutrients, fats and proteins, and you need to make sure that your body is nutrient-rich so that the cells can function correctly.

3. You started taking probiotics.

Usually probiotics help breakouts rather than cause them, but if there is a disruption in the intestines and you take probiotics, they can stir up the bacteria in your gut and it can show up on your skin in the form of a pimple.

4. Your shower water contains metals your skin can't tolerate.

Metals in water have been known to oxidize the skin and throw off the pH levels of your skin. If the pH level of your skin is out of whack, your skin's outer layer of amino/lactic acids and oils that protect it can become compromised, exposing the skin and resulting in breakouts. Also, certain types of metals and minerals in the water can leave residue behind on your skin that can mix with sweat, dirt, bacteria, and oil — and boom, you've got another blemish.

The Annique Evening Skincare Routine

The optimal order of application for MAXIMUM results

The morning routine is all about moisturising and protecting the skin against the elements.

Step 1:

• Cleanser (suited to your skin) • Rinse with Annique Rooibos Tea OR Green Rooibos Tea

Step 2:

• Serums: (according to your skin concerns)

• *Anti-Ageing Serum • Bo-Serum • Moisture Serum • Returnyouth • Brightening Serum • Skin Detox • Liquid Skin Nutrition • Miracle Tissue Oil • Intense Repair Serum • Firming Neck & Bust Cream

*Apply your Annique Serums in order, according to your main skin concerns.

Step 3:

Eye Therapy • Revitalising Cream • Night cream (suited to your skin)

Step 4:

• Moisturiser (suited to your skin) • Q10 Therapy

Step 5:

• Freshener (suited to your skin)

5. You're drinking too much coffee.

Coffee raises acidity, which throws off the pH balance of your body and creates inflammation on your skin in different areas (even though it shows up most commonly as pimples around your mouth). Coffee is also a soluble fiber so it can throw off the pH of the colon.

Rather drink some Green Tea or Rooibos & Jasmine Tea

6. You're not sleeping well.

Whether you're watching TV or scrolling through Instagram before bed, the light from the device simulates sunlight, causing your mind to keep you awake. The electromagnetic wave frequencies that also come off of a device like your smartphone can run through your body and can throw off your circadian rhythm (aka your internal clock), altering your sleep pattern, which weakens your immune system and stresses you out, among other things.

7. You're using foundation that's too thick.

Makeup that has a thick consistency is occlusive (aka it can clog your pores and cause sweat underneath it to build up) and can attract dirt, which can sit on your skin and cause zits to crop up.

We have a wonderful range of Foundations at Annique, and the range even include BB Cream for those ladies who prefer only Light Coverage. The BB Cream can also be applied before you apply your foundation for a higher cover.

8. You don't use toner.

If you're already eye-rolling because you think toners are a waste of time, allow me to enlighten you: Toners actually rebalance the skin, since soaps can make your skin more alkaline (super-quick science lesson: the outside of the body should be acidic while the inside of the body should remain as close to alkaline as possible).

At Annique we believe that should cleanse only once a day (in the evening) so as not to disturb the skin's pH too much. When the pH is disturbed, it affects the skin's immune system, which could lead to skin problems or premature ageing.

Annique has 6 main differences that make our skincare approach unique from competitive brands. Two of these differences lie in how Annique uses cleanse and protect their skin.

Another difference is that fresheners should be applied last, after all other skincare products. When you apply a traditional toner after cleansing, the pores are closed before you apply the anti-ageing, treatment and moisturizing products. We want our products to draw into the skin and then we want to close the pores.

Top Tip:

Fresheners can be used throughout the day as needed to ensure that your skin's pH balance and immunity stays intact

9. You're eating too much sugar.

Consuming too much sugar, breads, and processed carbs increase the body's glycemic index, causing it to produce more oil. OD'ing on these types of foods also causes glycation, where the sugar breaks the skin cells down, which creates a domino effect, causing your collagen and elastin to weaken, and fine lines and wrinkles to appear. On top of that, the yeast in bread also creates bad bacteria in the body and if there's too much it, the effects can show up on your skin.

Start using the Lifestyle Shake today, and you will curb all those cravings whilst taking in a healthy meal replacement.

10. You're switching up your beauty products too often.

If you get frustrated because your cleanser or lotion isn't living up to its claim on day two, give it some time. Swapping out products too quickly won't allow you to see if they're really effective (products need at least a good two weeks to start working). Applying too many active ingredients from all the different products can throw off the pH levels on the skin.

Let me help you with a skin Analysis, try our products for 30 Days, and see the difference. If there is still no change, and you followed your skin care regime, I will gladly refund the products to you.

11. You're drying out your skin with acne products.

You might think that if you have oily skin, the answer is to dry it out. But when you use too many spot treatments, you can dry out the skin so much that you can ruin your skin's barrier, causing more bacteria to get into your pores.

Annique's skin care regime is unique in this matter, as we will assist you with your skin Analysis and determine exactly what you should be using. We take into consideration Skin Type as well as Skin Conditions when we do a Skin Analysis, so we can recommend the correct products for you to use.

12. You're spreading bacteria with your facial cleansing brush.

Facial brushes are great for exfoliating, but if you have acne, you have to be careful because you could end up spreading the bacteria with the brush head from one spot to another. Plus, if you're using a brush head that's too harsh, it could cause microtears that let in more bacteria into the skin.

13. You're using sunscreen that contains skin-irritating ingredients.

If you find yourself breaking out more in the summer than you do any other time of the month, it might be due to your SPF, specifically an ingredient in it called avobenzone, which has been linked to irritation and inflammation on the skin.

Annique's skin care range include a facial cream specifically designed with a SPF 8, to wear. YOU will not be sorry if you look into the Essense Derma Protect SPF20. Protecting your skin throughout the year is vital, especially during the summer months when we spend more time outdoors. And what better way to protect your skin, than to go for a sunscreen with the highest Sun Protection Factor (SPF), right? Wrong! New research shows that higher SPF’s used on the face are more likely to irritate sensitive skin.

Essense Derma Protect SPF 20 offers gentle protection against harmful UVA rays (ageing) and UVB (burning) rays.

Applying a lower SPF on your face more regularly, offers the same protection as a high SPF.

Derma Protect SPF 20 is the ultimate shield for sensitive skins!