Zits appears on the cheeks when your oil-producing glands get blocked by foreign objects, such as dirt. This leads to the oil, called sebum, to pile up under the skin, eventually forming stubborn cheek pimples that we all hate. Although this is how spots generally form on your skin, there are several factors that lead to increased sebum production and pore blockage. But before we explore the external factors that lead to breakouts, there are the six types of cheek blemishes, all of which range in severity:

• Whiteheads: Also known as a closed comedo. The smallest kind and the most unnoticeable. These remain under the skin.
• Blackheads: Also known as an open comedo. These are highly visible and hard to get rid of. The black and dark brown pigmentation is caused by the oxidation of melanin, our skin’s pigment.
• Papules: This is a common pimple – small, pink, and harmless.
• Pustules: These are the pimples with the pink base with a hard, white substance on top – this is pus that has accumulated inside a pimple.
• Nodules: These are similar to papules but are larger and more severe. These are often painful when touched.
• Cysts: This is the most severe type of zits. Can be extremely painful as it is filled with pus, and requires medical assistance to get rid of.

✘ Hygiene

One of the more obvious reasons for cheek acne is poor hygiene. Throughout the day, dirt from your environment tends to stick and pile up on the natural oils of your cheeks. This is especially important if you’re using make-up. If this piled-up muck is left unwashed for a long period, your pores get clogged and will result in an pimple breakout.

For people living in urban areas, heavy pollution may cause severe problems as compared to those who live in rural areas – thus, regular face washing with the right cleanser is recommended to keep your skin clear and pristine.

✘ Poor Dieting

You may not instantly feel its effects, but a poor diet greatly increases your chances of developing face blemishes. As the saying goes, “you are what you eat,” and it shows through your skin.

The types of food that you should avoid are processed, fried, dairy, refined carbs, and chocolate. All of these food speed up sebum production, causing unwanted pimple breakouts.

New York City dermatologist Dr. Francesca Fusco recommends a healthier diet composed of fruits, vegetables, whole grain, and lean protein if you want to achieve clear, blemish free cheeks.

Read about traditional chinese acupuncture to fight pimples and blemish scars

✘ Unhealthy Lifestyle

If you live an unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle, not only will your body be negatively affected internally, but it will show through your skin as well. Unhealthy vices such as smoking expose your skin to harmful particles that disrupt the natural process of skin regeneration.

Whenever you’re experiencing stress, the body starts releasing hormones such as androgen and corticotrophin. These hormones stimulate your glands to produce excessive sebum, and when dirt builds up on that oil, breakouts are bound to happen.

It’s highly recommended to get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week, as exercise is proven to decrease stress levels in your body. If you’re stress free, this lowers your chances of increased sebum production, resulting in a clear and healthy skin.

✘ Everyday Objects

Who knew that mundane everyday objects can give you a stubborn breakouts on your cheeks? Well, it turns out that it’s one of the leading causes of cheek blemishes, and the two most common culprits are dirty pillowcases and mobile phones.

Both pillows and mobile phones rest on your cheeks when being used. And both of these objects tend to accumulate dirt over time. If left unsanitized, mobile phones can be ten times dirtier than a toilet seat. Imagine that much bacteria passing on to your cheeks?! It’s no wonder that phones can cause such horrible breakouts!

Meanwhile, pillowcases are home to dust mites, harmful chemicals (from detergents and fabric softeners), and bacteria passed on from your body.

These two objects are essential to our lives, and the best solution to avoid getting cheek acne from them is to regularly sanitize your phone, and it’s recommended that you change your sheets at least once a week.

✘ Sun Exposure

Getting regular sunlight is good for the skin – it’s the number one source of Vitamin D. But too much of a good thing can be bad for you. Not only does excessive exposure to sunlight increase your chances of developing skin cancer, but it can also give you massive breakouts.

The UV rays from the sun penetrate right through your skin, causing your sebaceous glands to produce excessive sebum. And because this is the least of what you want your sebaceous glands to do, it’s best to avoid too much sunlight exposure between 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. These are peak hours when UV rays are the strongest.

✘ Hormonal Changes

Breakouts are the bane of adolescence. It has become a popular trope of adolescent ‘growing pains’, along with awkwardness, mood swings, and rebellious behavior.

But not only adolescents suffer from cheek zits caused by the hormonal influx. Adult men and women go through their own moments of hormonal changes, some naturally occurring, while others are caused by environmental factors such as stress.

The main culprits of hormonal breakouts are estrogen and testosterone, both of which is present in both sexes. A sudden fluctuation of either hormone can trigger increased sebum production, therefore it is best to be aware of what triggers a hormone influx in your body.