STYLE

Reason #1: You're too stressed out

You know all that stressing you do over school and friend drama? Well, it just might be a leading cause of those obnoxious breakouts. When you let your stress levels or your temper go wild, your body responds by releasing the hormone cortisol. The result? Acne. A lot of times, these breakouts will pop up along your jawline or your cheeks, and we all know how difficult it can be to cover them up.

How to deal: Spot treat your acne

Let's face it, life is stressful, so you can't always control an impromptu stress sesh. What you can do? Find ways to minimize the effects of stress acne. Since these breakouts can pop up unexpectedly at the worst time (like right before a school dance), try a spot treatment that will rush straight to the source of your pimple and attack it fast.

Product pick: Yes To Tomatoes Roller Ball Spot Stick, $10, yestocarrots.com

Reason #2: Your hair products are leaving residue behind

Sounds weird, right? But sometimes, the way you wear your hair or the products you use on it can contribute to breakouts. For instance, when you first get bangs, you’ll usually experience a minor breakout on your forehead since your skin isn't used to having hair hang out there all day. And if you're constantly using heavy, sticky styling products that brush up against your face, your skin could start to rebel.

How to deal: Use a deep facial cleanser

Playing with different hairstyles is one of the best parts of being a girl; so don't abandon all the fun just because you're getting acne. As long as you use a nice deep facial cleanser to wipe away any excess hair product and make sure to wash your face every night, you can take control. Another tip? Let your skin breathe every once in awhile. Wear your hair without bangs for a day, or try skipping the styling products for a day.

Product pick: First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser with Red Clay, $30, sephora.com

Reason #3: You're using too many products

At one point or another, we're all guilty of this one. So many wonderful products out there, so little time to test them all, right? But when you're experimenting with too many skin care (or makeup) products at once, you could overwhelm your skin. And if you don't know what product caused your skin to react negatively, it can take some time to get things back on track.

How to deal: Simplify your skin care routine

In general, the fewer products you use, the happier your skin will be. When you start using a new product, take it slow and give it a few weeks to see how your skin responds before you introduce any other new products into your routine. Better yet, use an all-in-one product like a cleanser that also tones or exfoliates—this can help you cut down on potential skin irritation.

Product pick: Neutrogena All-in-1 Acne Control Daily Scrub, $7, walmart.com

Reason #4: You're not exfoliating

Exfoliating is such an important skin care step, but plenty of girls skip it and end up with breakouts. So what does it do exactly? When you exfoliate, you clear away the nasty dirt and grime that's lurking in your pores. Sometimes, your facial cleanser or makeup remover can't reach the deep down dirt, and that accumulation of gunk can lead to pimples.

How to deal: Find the right exfoliator for you

Whether you prefer an exfoliating wipe or a weekly facemask that deep cleans your pores, there's a product out there for you! In general, exfoliating once or twice a week is plenty but if you have sensitive skin, start off slow and try a mask once a week.

Product pick: Boots No 7 Beautiful Skin Purifying Exfoliator, $10, ulta.com