When it comes to improving your skin health, you may automatically think about a multi-step skincare routine. From influencers to fashion magazines, it can seem like everyone is talking about skin care.

But while moisturizers, toners, and serums can make a difference, skin care doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, you can make improvements to your skin health just by taking a walk around your home to look at what is in it — and then making small changes to the products you buy, the clothes you wear, and how you keep your house.

Here are 7 items in your home that might be affecting your skin health:

1. Window Cleaner: Deep cleaning your home can make you feel good and accomplished — but some of the cleaners you use may be helping your house but hurting your skin. Harsh chemicals in common household cleaning products — like window cleaners — can irritate your skin. Nowadays, many other products are created with more natural ingredients and are less harsh on your skin. You can even make your own cleaning products or glass cleaner with 1 gallon of water and half a cup of distilled white vinegar.
    
2. Your Hat or Helmet: If you often wear a hat or helmet, you may notice breakouts along your forehead. The brim of the hat or helmet will rub up against your skin, causing some irritation — and this can be made worse if it’s a hot day, and you’re sweating as well. You shouldn’t ditch your hat or helmet completely. Hats provide great protection from the sun, and a helmet provides protection from head injuries. Not getting a sunburn or a concussion is better than not getting a few pimples. But, you can treat your forehead with over-the-counter acne medications, and be sure to wash your face well after. You can also wipe down the inside of your helmet after a workout and throw your baseball hats in the wash (or even the dishwasher) to keep them clean as well!
    
3. Air Conditioning: During the summer, it can be nice to walk into a cool home with the air conditioning turned way up. But unfortunately, dry skin isn’t just a winter issue. Your AC can also dry out the air in your home — which in turn dries out your skin. If you notice a dry or cracked feeling in your skin during those warmer months, consider turning up the temperature a few degrees (if you can bear it). You can also get a humidifier to put some moisture back into the air.
   
4. Your Pillowcase: Your pillow should bring you sweet dreams and restful sleep — but it can also be a catch-all for dead skin cells, bacteria, and even residue from your hair or face products. All of these can irritate your skin and impact your beauty rest. There’s no hard and fast rule about how often you should change your sheets, but once a week is a good start. If you are prone to breakouts, more often may be a good idea. You should also replace the actual pillowcases and pillows themselves every 1 to 2 years.
   
5. Tight Workout Clothes: Tight workout clothes, like bike shorts, can rub against your skin irritating it and your hair follicles. Getting more physical activity in your day shouldn’t also leave you worried about pimples or ingrown hairs. Be sure to change out of your gym clothes as soon as you’re done working out. You can also protect your skin at any time by wearing clothing that is looser-fitting and doesn’t rub up tight against your skin.
   
6. Hair Products: Many hair products contain ingredients that can wreak havoc on your skin. One ingredient to look out for is oil, which can clog your pores, leading to pimples that form on your forehead, hairline, or neck. If you notice that you break out any time you use a specific hair gel, for example, it may be a good time to look at beauty products in your bathroom and find some alternatives.
   
7. The Water in Your Shower: It might sound silly, but the water in your shower can actually have a negative effect on your skin. Taking a really hot shower can dry out your skin instead of hydrating it. But beyond just the temperature of the water, what’s actually in the water can also impact your skin.
   
   You may have heard of two “types” of water: hard water and soft water. Hard water has more minerals in it than soft water (primarily calcium and magnesium). These minerals can take away the moisture from your skin, leaving it dry and cracked.
   
   The hardness of water is measured in parts per million or PPM — meaning how much calcium and magnesium is in one million units of water. In Pennsylvania, the water here is considered to be hard (with a rating of 151 PPM or parts per million). This means just taking a shower can have a negative effect on your skin. You can counteract these effects with a more diligent moisturizing routine or even a water softener system for your home.

Protecting Your Skin

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it’s also the most exposed. Taking care of your skin isn’t just about switching out a couple of items in your home — though that can help.

Maintaining your skin’s health means creating strong skin health habits that you can carry with you throughout your life, like wearing sunscreen and regularly seeing a dermatologist. When you take care of your skin today, you’re investing in your long-term health. 

Talk to a Skin Care Specialist

If you have acne or dry skin that isn’t going away with self-care, it might be time to talk to a dermatologist. Find a dermatologist online, or call Physician Referral Service at 800-789-PENN (7366).

Learn more at Chester County Hospital.