There’s no getting around it: we’re a nation of mobile lovers. From endlessly scrolling through social media to answering emails on the toilet. We even sleep with our smartphones.

Of course, there are many benefits to having technology at our fingertips, but we must also be aware that the constant presence of our digital friend can have health consequences.

And while we know about potential side effects like eyestrain, headaches and sleep disturbances, we may not realize that our cell phones can also have negative effects on our skin.

Can cell phones cause spots and acne?

In short: yes! It’s because of the amount of bacteria they harbor. On average, smartphones harbor ten times the amount of bacteria found on the average toilet seat. Cruel.

The problem is that when you hold your cell phone to your ear to make a call, bacteria are transferred to your facial skin.

“Our phones are one of the main culprits in transferring bacteria to our faces,” explains clinical aesthetician Kate Kerr of Kate Kerr London.

“They are an essential part of our daily lives, but we expose them to millions of toxins, bacteria and dirt throughout the day just to have them pressed against our face. This buildup of germs disrupts the barrier function, causes inflammation and accelerates oil flow, which can then lead to acne.”

Kerr says heat is also generated by your phone when you hold it in your hand and place it to your ear or face.

“This activates your sebaceous glands, which stimulates further oil production,” she explains. “And finally, the HEV light emitted from your phone can cause oxidation and inflammation on your skin, damaging the barrier and potentially leading to acne.”

Fortunately, with a few simple steps, you can avoid the blemishes caused by your phones.

How to prevent acne caused by cell phones

Wipe it off

A recent study by MattressNextDay found that a bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, commonly found in cockroaches and their feces, has also been found on our phones.

This bacterial pathogen can be particularly dangerous for people with weakened immune systems. It can also often cause skin irritation.

The problem is that we don’t clean our phones nearly enough or with the right products. Another survey by Mattress Specialists found that over half of us (51%) never use antibacterial products and another 10% only clean their phone once a YEAR!

“But by implementing simple hygiene measures, such as regularly cleaning your phone with antibacterial wipes, you can significantly reduce the risk of rashes,” says Kerr.

Wash your pillowcases and bed linen more regularly

If you’re one of the 74% of people who take their phone into the bedroom at night, you may want to consider finding somewhere else to store it.

Not only can cuddling up to your cell phone disrupt your sleep because the blue light emitted tricks your brain into thinking it’s time to wake up, but it can also cause skin blemishes because bacteria are transferred from the phone to your pillowcase and bedsheets.

“These bacteria can cause stains and clogged pores,” warns Martin Seeley, CEO and sleep expert at MattressNextDay. “This can be even more pronounced if you then sleep on a pillowcase that has accumulated bacteria from your phone.”

If you sleep with your phone under your pillow, Seeley recommends washing the pillowcase twice a week.

“This will ensure that there is no buildup of bacteria that can be transferred to your skin, especially if you don’t clean your phone regularly,” he adds.

Use headphones

To prevent bacteria present on your phone screen from coming into contact with or sticking to your face during a call, you can use headphones.

You can also opt for a headset or hands-free device, or avoid the problem altogether by handling all communication through WhatsApp.

If you can’t resist the temptation to make a call the old-fashioned ear-to-face way, try reducing skin-to-phone contact by holding the phone away from your face or just loosely against your skin to avoid unnecessary pressure on your skin.

Be proactive with products

If you’re past the prevention phase and are already suffering from a phone-induced pimple rash, there are some products you can use to treat the problem.

Hydrocolloid is the key to gently drawing out an infection. “Not all acne is the same,” says Dr. Sara Imani, physician and skin expert at SkinChoice. “While there are different types of lesions, each requires a different treatment method,” she explains. “For visible pus, such as whiteheads, papules and pustules, hydrocolloid is particularly effective at gently drawing out the infection, reducing swelling and protecting the area from further irritation while promoting healing.”

Try using blemish patches to heal the skin

Instead of popping or picking at pimples (and damaging the skin in the process), Dr. Imani recommends trying pimple patches. “They work by applying a dose of hydrocolloid to the inflamed area, which flattens the pimple and heals the skin,” she adds.

LED is the solution to eliminate skin impurities and heal the skin from within

Blue light has powerful antibacterial properties that relieve and cleanse acne and problem skin while helping to normalize sebum production. “For effective acne treatment at home, LED is ideal,” adds Kerr.

Read more about skin care:

Regard: Six facts about acne you may not know