Skin Acting Up? It Might Be Hygiene, Not Hormones.

If your skin’s been irritated, breaking out, or just plain inflamed and you swear you’ve been doing everything right… I believe you!

You’re not gross. You’re not clueless. You’re not doing it wrong.

But… can we talk about your environment?

Because sometimes what feels like a mystery breakout is actually your dog’s paws. Or your toddler’s fingers. Or the pillowcase that hasn’t been washed in two weeks. Or the towel you’ve been using all week because it looks clean.

This isn’t about shame. It’s about awareness. And once you see it? You can shift it.

Here’s what I ask every client who’s breaking out.

After we talk hydration (always hydration first), this is where we go next:

Tell me about your home.
Not your stress levels. Not your cycle. Just your day-to-day habits. The hygiene stuff no one talks about.

Here’s what I ask you to check:

• Are you washing your face morning and night?
  At night, you’re removing makeup, sunscreen, pollution, sweat, bacteria, all the stuff that clogs pores and weakens your barrier.
  In the morning, you’re washing off sweat, drool, pillowcase bacteria, and whatever your skin detoxed overnight.
  Skipping this step? Your skin knows.

• When’s the last time you changed your pillowcase?
  If your skin is acting up, aim for every 2–3 days.

• Do pets sleep in your bed?
  I know. But no. Their paws and fur carry everything. No animals in your bed can help to boost intimacy, too!

• Do your kids touch your face?
  Adorable, yes. Covered in food and playground gunk, also yes. Wash your face afterward.

• Do YOU touch your face throughout the day?
  We all do. Start noticing. And start washing your hands more often.

• How often do you clean your phone screen?
  Ideally, daily. Your phone touches more surfaces than you want to know.

• Have you ever wiped down your steering wheel?
  You should. Especially if you touch your face in the car (spoiler: you do).

• Are your hand towels and washcloths fresh?
  Replace them daily. Especially if they’re in a humid or shared bathroom.
  Roommates, kids, partners, they touch our stuff. They love us, but they’re not always clean.
  Do everyone a favor and switch them out. (Bonus points for telling them why. Consider it a public service announcement for clearer skin. And they can support you too.)

This isn’t about fear or being a germophobe.
It’s about creating the cleanest canvas possible so your products can actually work and your skin can finally chill.

And here’s the kicker: you might notice your sinuses feel clearer, your eyes stop itching, and you’re getting sick way less often. Hygiene helps everything. Skin, health, energy, and mood. It’s all connected.

Clean towels = skincare magic. Make it a ritual.

Here’s your new rhythm:

• Pick two laundry days a week and actually stick to them

• Swap your pillowcase midweek (get extras so it’s easy. I like storing them in a cute basket separate from my other linens for easy access)

• Wipe down your phone, car wheel, and light switches weekly

• Keep your towels in rotation: one for body, one for hair, one for hands, one for face. Bonus: Purchase soft sets you love using. I’m pro washcloths on the face as long as they are soft and, duh, clean.

• Light a candle. Put on a playlist. Fold your towels. Romanticize the ritual.

• And yes wash your face, morning and night, every day. With something gentle. More on that later…

This is skin care. This is nervous system care. This is you care. Just with cleaner habits and a calmer barrier.

P.S. This pairs beautifully with your Water Week.

Hydration and hygiene are the two things I return to again and again with clients who feel like they’ve “tried everything.” Try both for one week. Keep it simple. Then watch what happens. And let me know!