Did you know items in your home could be worsening — or even causing — your acne?

“Skin care isn’t just about products,” said Dr. Karyn Grossman, a board-certified cosmetic surgeon and dermatologist and the founder of Grossman Dermatology based out of Santa Monica and New York City. “It’s also about lifestyle and environment.”

While you may have heard about the most notorious culprits (like your bed pillows and your phone), your home is filled with many more acne-triggering hot spots hiding in plain sight, including your dish towels, air fresheners and office supplies.

“A breakout-free home starts with good clean habits and mindful choices, from your makeup brushes to your pillowcases,” said Dr. Asmi Berry, a board-certified dermatologist practicing at BHSkin Dermatology in Glendale, California.

To help educate us about the biggest causes of acne lurking in our homes, we consulted four dermatologists who identified them and also shared the crucial steps needed to alleviate them.

Bed Pillows

Your bed pillow gets a lot of acne-inducing face time. “We come into contact with them every night for hours,” said Dr. Roger Kapoor, a board-certified dermatologist with the Beloit Health System in the Chicago metropolitan area. “The fabrics of most pillowcases can retain moisture, oil and dead skin, all of which create a wonderful environment for bacteria and fungi to grow. These can then transfer to the face, clog pores and cause acne.”

This is worse for people who sleep on their sides and therefore subject more of their face to contact with their pillow, noted Berry. To help lessen the negative effects, “I would recommend changing pillowcases at least once a week and opting for pillowcases made with natural fibers like cotton or silk,” suggested Kapoor.

Don’t forget the rest of your bedding, too. “Blankets and sheets are similar to pillowcases,” added Berry. “They can harbor bacteria if not washed weekly.”

Couch Pillows

Even if you have a good wash routine when it comes to bed pillows, you may be overlooking another common offender: the pillows on your couch. “Throw pillows are often subjected to daily hugs, butts or [heads] but [are] rarely washed and pampered,” explained Kapoor.

“Throw pillows can contribute to breakouts due to dirt, oils and bacteria accumulating over time,” added Dr. Corey L. Hartman, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. The simplest solution: “Avoid resting your face directly on the throw pillow.”

If that puts too much of a damper on your lounging routine, “I would recommend washing or even vacuuming your throw pillows regularly,” said Kapoor. You can also use “fabric-safe disinfectant sprays in between washes.”

Bath Towels

According to dermatologists, the towels in your bathroom are breeding grounds for acne-causing agents. “Reused towels certainly accumulate gunk-like bacteria, oil and dead skin, which, when transferred back to the skin, can easily clog pores and result in acne,” said Kapoor, who recommended washing your towels often.

It’s also important to dry your towels thoroughly between each use. “Towels can aggravate breakouts or seborrhea if they remain damp [since] wetness allows bacteria and fungi to grow,” Grossman said. “Use lightweight towels, which dry more quickly … and make sure they are placed in a well-ventilated room.”

Even clean, dry towels can cause irritation. “Breakouts can occur due to the rough texture of towels, which can create friction and irritate the skin,” explained Hartman, who suggested picking “soft and gentle fabrics” to avoid this issue.

Dish Towels

Even if you don’t hold them directly to your face, kitchen towels can be equally menacing. “Those dish towels harbor bacteria that can easily be transferred to your face and result in acne,” said Kapoor. The key is “not to wipe your hands with dish towels,” especially if you touch your face shortly thereafter.

Tap Water

Hard water is prevalent in our taps in many parts of the U.S., according to the U.S. Government Survey, and it can have adverse effects on your skin.

“Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium that clog pores, while the chlorine in tap water removes natural oils from the skin leading to more oil production and acne formation,” explained Kapoor. “I would recommend rinsing your face with a filtered showerhead, using a water softener, or using a nice hydrating moisturizer after washing your skin to balance out any drying effects from hard water.”

Furthermore, “hard water can leave a residue of minerals on your hair and skin,” added Berry. “You can combat this with exfoliation or consider getting a water-softening shower filter.”

Air Fresheners

“Air fresheners have fragrances and chemicals that can often irritate the skin, triggering allergic reactions, inflammation or skin sensitivities, leading to breakouts,” explained Hartman. “To help reduce the risk of irritation and breakouts, try essential oils as an alternative or fragrance-free products and use them in moderation. Ventilate your space like open windows or use air purifiers and clean surfaces regularly.”

Another easy solution, added Grossman, “is a HEPA filter air purifier, which will remove small particles, odor, dust, dander, etc. and doesn’t put anything into the air which can bother you.”

Candles

Though not all candles are culprits, certain kinds are more likely to trigger acne. “Some scented candles can release chemicals and soot into the air when burned, which can cause skin irritation, clog pores or trigger allergic reactions,” said Hartman. “To minimize the risk of reactions, you can opt for candles with natural fragrances, burn candles in well-ventilated areas, and try to limit candle usage.”

According to dermatologists, paraffin candles are the biggest offenders. “Opt for natural wax candles, like those made from beeswax, soy or coconut,” suggested Berry.

Laundry Detergent

“Laundry detergents often have chemicals, dyes and fragrances that can irritate the skin, which may lead to breakouts. The buildup of detergent residue on clothing, sheets or towels can also contribute to clogged pores and irritation,” said Hartman. “To help reduce irritation and breakouts, I suggest choosing fragrance-free or hypoallergenic detergents. Try gentle or natural detergents, avoid fabric softeners, and rinse clothes thoroughly.”

Don’t confuse “fragrance free” with “unscented,” added Kapoor, as the latter “can still contain chemicals that can irritate your skin.”

“Other things to look for are chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), which can leave residues on clothing that can irritate the skin. You can find products that are ‘SLS free,’” he said. “The same is true for optical brighteners that make clothes look brighter but also cause your acne to shine brighter as well. In this case, look for ‘eco-friendly’ brands that do not contain these.”

Exercise Equipment

Those using home gyms, beware: “The hot environment of the gym encourages bacterial growth,” Grossman said. When your skin comes in contact with gym equipment and surfaces, it can cause acne.

“Using your own gym mats and cleaning them regularly can help,” Grossman added. “For gym equipment, bring a wipe to wipe it down before you use it.” In addition, Grossman suggested washing your face and changing out of your sweaty workout clothes as soon as possible.

Pet Hair

“Pet hair by itself will not result in acne, but pet hair does harbor dirt, bacteria and dander that could be transferred to your face and result in a breakout,” said Kapoor.

“If your pet sheds, vacuum frequently with a HEPA filter-powered vacuum and keep your furry friend well groomed,” advised Grossman. “Keep them away from your face (I know this can be hard to do), off your pillows, and [keep] your hands clean.”

Office Supplies

Try not to touch your face while working in your home office (or any office, for that matter). “Office supplies like keyboards, [mice], pens, desk phones all collect bacteria that can come into contact with your fingers and then easily be transferred to our faces,” said Kapoor. “Remember to disinfect these areas frequently.”

Makeup Brushes

Aside from the makeup itself, your makeup brushes could be worsening your acne. “Makeup brushes are a particular pet peeve of mine,” said Grossman. “They are on your face, placed in makeup, thrown in bags, dropped on floors, shared with friends, and are all over counters and bathrooms — yet I have many patients who tell me they have never, ever washed their brushes.”

“The bacteria, oils and makeup residue that accumulate on dirty brushes can clog pores and lead to breakouts,” explained Hartman, who recommended cleaning brushes regularly and not sharing them with other people.

“Wash foundation and concealer brushes weekly, while powder brushes should be cleaned every two weeks,” added Berry. “Use a gentle brush cleanser, and make sure [your brushes] fully dry to prevent mold.”

Your Phone

“Phones have been notorious for aggravating acne on the cheek and jawline, even long before cellphones came about. Much of this has to do with the pressure of the phone against your skin — something called acne mechanica,” said Grossman.

Smartphones present an even bigger issue. “Our fingers are always on our phones and our fingertips carry lots of oil. When we hold our phone up to our cheek, we can trap that sweat and introduce some heat, making our skin develop breakouts,” said Kapoor.

“To reduce the risk, wipe your phone daily with an alcohol-based disinfectant [and] use speakerphone or wear headphones to minimize contact,” advised Berry.