The culprit responsible for your skin breakouts could be closer than you think. We need it everyday and most likely can’t live without it. We’ll look for it first thing in the morning, bring it together to the toilet and it’s the last thing we bid goodbye before we sleep. The culprit is our precious smartphones.

Our phone is the last thing we would think of as the cause of irritable pimples and ugly blackheads. We know for a fact that acne is usually caused by bacteria, clogged pores, dead skin cells, and excess oil production by our skins. So how does these relate to smartphone usage?

Your phone is dirtier than a public toilet

A 2010 study found that the average smartphone contains 18 times more harmful bacteria than a public toilet in the UK. In other words, you’re pretty much dipping your fingers into a toilet bowl every time you use your phone.

Now, think about where you put your phone closest to when there’s a call… That’s right, these harmful bacteria are easily transferred to your face, infect your clogged pores, and develop red bumps.

Where do germs come from?

Let’s all be honest and admit that, for at least once in our lives, we’ve brought our phones with us to the toilet. Even if you’re not scrolling through Facebook or Instagram in the cubicle, there’s still a high chance that germs like salmonella can get to your phone. This is especially the case if you flush without closing the lid.

Those with a habit of using their phones during meals are also exposing their phones to food particles and oil. Food particles will eventually decompose, which will result in your phone being really unhygienic.

Don’t forget that our hands also help transmit bacteria and dirt from other areas (tables, chairs, dirty towels, etc.) onto the touchscreen. One research even found that 82% of hands are covered in bacteria. They get dirtier when we fall sick too.

Is there a way for us to keep our phones and faces clean?

Lucky for us, there are a few ways we can clean our phones before we use it for calls. You’ll need antibacterial wipes made specifically for cleaning electronics. This is because normal wipes contain alcohol, which isn’t gadget friendly. Give your phone a thorough wipe daily, focusing on the common areas such as the screen, the sides, and the home button.

Besides that, you should also make the effort to keep your hands clean before using your phone. It’s good to have a hand sanitiser with you so you can clean your hands wherever you are.

Last but not least, just keep it away from the toilet. It’s for your own good.

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If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition, you should seek immediate medical attention from your doctor or other professional healthcare providers. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website.