Glasses and Acne: A Complete Skincare Guide
Even with ample hydration, a solid skincare routine, and being mindful of washing your makeup brushes, you may still experience breakouts. When this happens, it’s hard to not let your mind go into detective mode trying to figure out what went wrong and caused the pimple(s) that popped up on your face. While there are always plenty of acne-causing possibilities, one is pretty straightforward and often overlooked: Your glasses.
Wearing your glasses every day without cleaning them can cause acne on your nose, around your eyes, and elsewhere on your face—basically wherever your glasses have contact with your skin. The oil and bacteria on your glasses can easily transfer, clogging your pores and resulting in pimples. So, how can you prevent your fabulous frames from turning into an acne accumulator?
Wash Your Frames, Not Just Your Lenses
When we talk about cleaning the glasses, we don’t just mean the lenses. To fight against acne, make sure to clean the frame, especially the areas that are always touching your skin.
Focus on each earpiece (earpieces are exposed to oil in your hair), the bridge, and nose pads. Those are the parts of your glasses that are going to give your pores the most exposure to dirt and bacteria. One of the best ways to clean your frames is with soap, warm water, and a microfiber cloth. Another quick alternative to cleaning your frames when you’re on the go is to clean with a hand sanitizer (link to Green Apple Hand Sanitizer). Be mindful of cleaning your glasses and make it a point to incorporate this step into your daily routine and you should begin to see results in no time.
Pay Special Attention to The Problem Areas
Developing a solid acne-fighting skincare regimen is the first step to avoid exposing your skin to the bacteria your glasses can leave behind (aside from consistently wiping down your frames). When washing your face, spend extra time on the areas that your glasses tend to touch to avoid that problem area developing into a disaster area.
Look into using a gentle organic ingredients cleanser that won’t further irritate or dehydrate your skin. Using cleansers that have harsh ingredients may strip your skin of its natural oils and prompt your skin to produce sebum as a way to moisturize and protect. The excess production of sebum can cause the skin to be more oily and create an environment for acne to thrive.
You could also try introducing some new products to your skincare routine that include blemish-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or niacinamide. Rosehip and jojoba oils are particularly soothing for acne-prone skin, so adding these natural oils into your regimen after cleansing can help to better nourish your skin.
Store Your Glasses Properly
Putting your glasses in their case not only protects them from damage—it protects your skin as well. This helps to prevent your glasses from accumulating dirt, oils, and environmental dust. You can also be sure that they won’t harbor additional bacteria when placed inside your bag (think your keys, wallet, loose change, yuck!) for when they aren’t in use.
Avoid Putting Your Glasses on Your Head
It may be convenient to put your glasses on top of your head rather than remove them, but that’s also a recipe for acne breakouts! This is especially true if you use hair products often.
This means that some of the hair products you use can get transferred to your glasses frame. Once place your glasses back on your face without cleaning, you’re introducing these hair products to your bare skin. Try using haircare products that have organic and healthful ingredients that won’t irritate your scalp or the rest of your skin.
If you must remove your glasses, what you can do is to put your glasses inside their case. If this isn’t an option, then be sure to wipe your glass frame clean before using them again.
Have Your Frames Adjusted
If you find that your glasses are a bit too tight, it’s time to have them readjusted. Tightness causes pressure on your face, which ultimately may be contributing to your acne breakouts. More specifically, acne mechanica, develops precisely because of constant pressure on certain areas of the skin.
Consequently, if your glasses are too loose, it’s also best to get them adjusted. Moving them frequently causes friction on the skin, which may lead to inflammation. Touching your glasses often may also lead you to transfer the bacteria and germs on your hands to your face, which isn’t ideal for treating or preventing acne.
Consider Some Alternatives
If you have tried everything under the sun, and still get acne because of your glasses, it might be time to change up your routine. If you’re trying to help improve your skin, striving to make the switch to contacts can be a great way to start. This way, you eliminate all of the possible risks of having an acne breakout from wearing glasses regularly. This also ensures that your skin has room to breathe, as it’s free from the constant weight and pressure that glasses put onto the skin.
Overall, your glasses should elevate your style and increase your confidence — not hinder it. Following the tips above will allow you to wear your frames with confidence while helping to prevent acne and irritation.