Change your pillowcase to fight acne

Trying to fight acne? Remember to change your pillowcase. Dermatologist Elizabeth Hale, MD, explains why it's important to keep your bedding -- and your face -- super clean.

Transcript

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ELIZABETH HALE: Every night while we sleep, the oils and sebums from our skin, combined with the dead skin cells that our body naturally exfoliates,

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can build up on the pillowcase. [UPBEAT MUSIC]

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Acne is such a common problem in the United States. And it's really not just about teenagers with acne.

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I see men and women of all ages on a daily basis who suffer from this frustrating condition. Whether you're fighting acne or just trying to prevent it,

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a simple tip I like to recommend is to remember to change your pillowcase on a weekly basis. Every night while we sleep, the oils and sebums from our skin,

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combined with the dead skin cells that our body naturally exfoliates, can build up on the pillowcase. So you may notice, especially if you

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sleep more on one side than the other, a build-up of acne on that side because those oils and those dead skin cells and the bacteria

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that they come along with can actually clog your pores, leading to breakouts. A simple trick that might help you is to get two different sets of pillowcases.

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And that way, you can make sure that you take them off at the end of the week. And even if you don't get a chance to do your laundry right away, you can put on that fresh set.

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This can really help to minimize the effect that having dirty pillowcases can have on your skin. And of course, it's also a good idea

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to try to wash your face before you go to sleep. [AUDIO LOGO]