You’ve dialed in your skincare routine and you’re making smarter food choices—now it’s time to look at another powerful piece of the puzzle: your lifestyle.
Daily habits you may not even think about—like laundry, sleep, stress, sun exposure, and phone use—can quietly trigger breakouts. The good news? Small, intentional changes can make a big difference in how your skin responds.
Could Your Laundry Be Causing Breakouts?
If you’re acne-prone, what touches your skin matters. Follow these acne-safe laundry guidelines to reduce pore-clogging residue and irritation:
1. Skip Fabric Softener
Fabric softeners and dryer sheets leave a waxy coating on fabrics that transfer directly to your skin—especially pillowcases, towels, and sheets. This residue can clog pores.
✔ Use wool dryer balls instead to reduce static naturally.
2. Avoid Laundry Pods
Laundry pods dissolve and coat clothing in a way similar to fabric softener, leaving behind residue that can trigger breakouts.
✔ Choose liquid or powder detergents instead.
3. Use Fragrance-Free Detergent
Fragrances can irritate sensitive and acne-prone skin.
✔ Acne-safe options include:
Seventh Generation Free & Clear
All Free & Clear
Tide Free
Arm & Hammer Free
Charlie’s Soap (liquid or powder)
4. Be Cautious With Water Softeners
Some water softeners—especially those using potassium chloride—have been linked to increased breakouts in acne-prone individuals.
5. Change Your Pillowcase Frequently
Your pillowcase collects oil, bacteria, demodex mites and product residue.
✔ Flip your pillowcase to a fresh side each night, then inside-out on each side.
6. Sleep in Clean Clothing
Wearing the same t-shirt to bed night after night can lead to body breakouts (especially on the back and shoulders).
✔ Treat sleepwear like underwear—clean is best.
7. Wash Workout Gear Often
Re-wearing sweaty clothes, hats, or headbands traps bacteria and sweat against your skin.
✔ Wash workout gear after each use to prevent breakouts.
Sleep More, Stress Less
Stress and lack of sleep increase cortisol, which stimulates oil production and inflammation—two major acne triggers.
Supporting your nervous system supports your skin.
Simple ways to reduce stress-related breakouts:
Get 7–8 hours of sleep nightly
Take a 30-minute walk outdoors
Practice prayer, meditation, or slow breathing
Stretch, practice yoga, or gentle movement
Limit phone and media exposure
Create boundaries with stressful relationships
Drink coffee with meals, not on an empty stomach
Don’t Skip Sunscreen
Sun exposure may temporarily dry the skin, but over time it:
Damages follicles
Worsens dark spots and post-acne marks
Increases inflammation
Accelerates aging
Raises skin cancer risk
Some people experience “sunshine acne” (Mallorca acne)—a rash of inflamed bumps triggered by heat, humidity, and sun exposure.
✔ Wear acne-safe sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days—especially if using corrective acne products, which increase sun sensitivity.
Our skincare experts are happy to help you choose the right acne-safe SPF.
Swimming & Acne: What You Need to Know
Chlorine and iodides in pools can aggravate acne-prone skin.
Before swimming:
Apply an acne-safe, highly water-resistant sunscreen (such as TIZO® 3) Apply a thin barrier layer (like Vaseline) to protect from pool chemicals
After swimming:
Cleanse immediately
Moisturize right away to restore hydration
Ice It, Don’t Pick It
Picking spreads bacteria, increases inflammation, and raises the risk of scarring and dark spots.
✔ Instead, ice inflamed breakouts:
Ice for 3 seconds on / 3 seconds off
Repeat for 2 minutes, twice daily
Best results occur when icing early
Follow with acne-safe spot treatments recommended by your specialist.
Breaking Out Around the Mouth?
Perioral breakouts often come from contact triggers.
1. Avoid Touching Your Face
Hands carry bacteria and often have pore-clogging lotion on them.
2. Clean Your Phone Daily
Phones collect bacteria and transfer it directly to your skin.
✔ Wipe daily with a damp microfiber cloth.
3. Check Ingredient Labels
Common culprits include:
Lip balms
Toothpaste (look for SLS-free)
Facial tissues
Hand Lotion
✔ Acne-safe lip options include Vaseline or Aquaphor.
4. Choose the Right Facial Tissues
Some tissues contain coconut oil, isopropyl myristate, or fragrance—all acne triggers.
✔ Choose unscented tissues or soft cotton cloths.
5. Medications, Recreational Drugs & Acne
Some prescription, over-the-counter, and recreational drugs can trigger acne—even in skin that was previously clear.
One of the most common and often overlooked acne triggers is marijuana. Marijuana use can stimulate androgen activity in the body, which increases oil (sebum) production in the skin. Elevated oil levels lead to clogged pores, inflammation, and persistent breakouts—especially around the jawline, chin, and cheeks.
Marijuana can also:
Increase inflammation
Disrupt hormone balance
Slow skin healing
Worsen existing acne and make it harder to clear
Other medications and substances—including certain birth control methods, steroids, lithium, and supplements containing iodine or biotin—may also contribute to acne.
✔ Never stop prescribed medication without consulting your doctor.
✔ A certified acne specialist can help identify medication- or substance-related triggers and guide safe, skin-supportive alternatives when appropriate.
Look for Our Acne-Safe Badge
To make things easier, Art of Skin Care labels acne-safe products with a dedicated badge. While many products are suitable for most skin types, those with active or inflamed acne should prioritize acne-safe options.
If you’re unsure, our acne specialists are always available via live chat or online consultation.
Lifestyle & Acne – Frequently Asked Questions
Can my lifestyle really affect my acne?
Yes. While acne is a genetic condition, lifestyle factors such as stress, sleep, laundry habits, sun exposure, hygiene, and daily routines can significantly influence inflammation, oil production, and breakouts. Small changes can make a noticeable difference in acne-prone skin.
Can laundry detergent cause acne?
Yes. Detergents with fragrance, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, and laundry pods can leave pore-clogging residue on clothing and bedding. Acne-prone individuals should use fragrance-free detergents and avoid fabric softeners to reduce breakouts.
How often should I change my pillowcase if I have acne?
Ideally, flip your pillowcase nightly and wash it several times per week. Pillowcases collect oil, bacteria, and skincare residue that can transfer back onto your skin while you sleep.
Can re-wearing workout clothes cause acne?
Yes. Sweat, oil, and bacteria trapped in workout clothing, hats, and headbands can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Washing workout gear after each use helps prevent acne.
Does stress make acne worse?
Absolutely. Stress increases cortisol levels, which stimulates oil production and inflammation—two major acne triggers. Managing stress through sleep, movement, and relaxation techniques can significantly improve acne.
How much sleep do I need for clear skin?
Most adults need 7–8 hours of sleep per night. Poor sleep increases cortisol and oil production, making breakouts more likely and slowing skin healing.
Is sun exposure good or bad for acne?
While sun exposure can temporarily dry the skin, overexposure worsens inflammation, increases dark spots, and can trigger “sunshine acne” (Mallorca acne). Daily use of an acne-safe sunscreen is essential, especially when using acne treatments.
Can swimming cause acne?
Yes. Chlorine and iodides in swimming pools can irritate acne-prone skin and trigger breakouts. Protecting the skin before swimming and cleansing and moisturizing immediately afterward helps prevent acne.
Should I pick my pimples?
No. Picking spreads bacteria, increases inflammation, and raises the risk of scarring and dark spots. Icing inflamed breakouts is a safer and more effective alternative.
Why am I breaking out around my mouth?
Breakouts around the mouth are often caused by contact triggers such as hands, phones, lip balms, toothpaste, or facial tissues with comedogenic ingredients. Using acne-safe products and reducing contact can help clear this area.
Can my phone cause acne?
Yes. Phones collect bacteria and transfer it directly to the skin. Cleaning your phone daily with a microfiber cloth can help prevent breakouts along the jawline and cheeks.
Can toothpaste cause acne?
Yes. Toothpaste containing SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) or certain flavoring agents can cause irritation and breakouts around the mouth. Switching to an SLS-free toothpaste often helps.
Can medications cause acne?
Yes. Some prescription, over-the-counter, and recreational drugs can trigger acne or worsen existing breakouts. Never stop medication without consulting your doctor, but an acne specialist can help identify possible triggers.
What does “acne-safe” mean?
Acne-safe products are formulated without pore-clogging or acne-triggering ingredients. At Art of Skin Care, acne-safe products are labeled to help acne-prone clients choose confidently.
Is skincare alone enough to clear acne?
Skincare is essential, but long-term acne clearing often requires addressing lifestyle factors as well. Consistency with both skincare and daily habits produces the best results.
Clear skin isn’t just about products—it’s about creating an environment where your skin can heal.
Small changes. Consistent habits. Real results.
Struggling with breakouts?
Join the FREE AOS Clear Skin Club for expert acne guidance, routine support, and ongoing help from licensed estheticians.
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Author
Celine LeClerc
Celine LeClerc is a licensed esthetician, Certified Acne Specialist, and the lead esthetician at Art of Skin Care, where she also serves as the Director of Education and Research & Development. With 14 years of experience in the skincare industry, Celine is renowned for her deep expertise and exceptional ability to match clients with the most effective, results-driven skincare solutions.
Guided by a passion for innovation, Celine scours the globe in search of cutting-edge, science-backed products that deliver visible transformations while supporting skin health at every stage of life. Her expertise spans everything from clearing stubborn acne to creating advanced, holistic routines for healthy aging.
At Art of Skin Care, Celine leads with a commitment to education, training both clients and estheticians on the latest advancements in skincare. Her mission is to empower individuals with the knowledge, tools, and routines they need to achieve radiant, resilient skin without compromise.
