This common nightly skincare habit can lead to acne breakouts

Acne.

This common skin condition is an actual b*itch and if you've ever suffered from it, you'll know how distressing it can be. There are a number of factors that can aggravate acne including diet, stress, sleep deprivation and hormonal activity but the good news is there are steps you can take to help improve matters. You've probably never thought twice about applying moisturiser before bed but if you suffer from regular breakouts, stop doing so immediately. It's a standard part of a nighttime routine, similar to brushing your teeth, but it's bad news for oily, blemish-prone skin. Moisturiser is usually applied overnight to rehydrate the skin but if your skin is even the slightest bit oily, applying a rich product is only going to clog up your pores. Neal Schultz, M.D., a New York City dermatologist and founder of Beauty Rx, spoke to Women's Health to explain the reasoning behind this theory. He believes that you should only use products that serve a purpose and can actually do something for your skin. It's easy to be lured in by the sheer choice available when it comes to the beauty industry but Schultz reminds us:

 “It’s important not to be oversold on skin-care products".

If you have oily skin, you're better off using an antioxidant serum which will cleanse and brighten your skin without clogging pores. Using this product at night will allow it to absorb into your skin and get to work properly. As Schultz points out, using these products at night is the perfect time to treat specific skin issues. The skin expert advises:

“The purpose of these products is to solve a problem".