Women spend thousands of dollars to create a flawless face. Yet faulty or uninformed uses of moisturizers and makeup can lead to inexplicable breakouts for women.

The two key symbols to remember when applying makeup and moisturizers are cotton and the feather. Cotton symbolizes the need to use clean applicators when applying makeup. The feather represents light application of makeup and moisturizers.

Here are the four biggest mistakes women make in their beauty regime that can lead to acne and ways to remedy them.

1. Re-using a consealer applicator

You have a zit and you want to hide it. So what do you do? Dip your consealer applicator in the bottle and apply the liquid cover directly to the inflamed zit, right. No. Reapplying consealer to your face with the applicator provided by the manufacturer does one thing only, spread more bacteria. Once you apply the consealer to your face with the applicator wand, you simply return it to the bottle where the bacteria have a whole container in which to flourish. Giving bacteria a breeding ground is what causes acne in the first place, so don't give them new real estate in which to reproduce.

Solution:
To avoid this, apply your consealer with a cotton swab and never, ever use the applicator stick provided by the consealer manufacturer. This will ensure that your consealer applications are always fresh and free of as much bacteria as possible.

2. Re-using a foundation sponge

The reasons for not re-using a foundation sponge are the same as the reason for not re-using a consearler applicator, you want to limit the spread of bacteria.

Solution:
Never use the foundation sponge provided by the manufacturer of the cosmetic. Instead, use a cotton ball to apply your foundation. This way, each of your foundation applications will be clean.

3. Applying moisturizers and makeup with a heavy hand.

Do you have the habit of piling layers of makeup onto your face? Caking on your makeup clogs your pores. Clogged pores are an ideal breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.

Solution:
Always lightly apply your makeup and moisturizer. One easy trick for assuring that you are applying your makeup and moisturizer lightly is that you feel a tickling sensation as you apply your cosmetics. The added benefit of light facial handling is that you reduce stretching and irritating your skin, a combination that can help limit the onset of wrinkles and acne breakouts.

4. Not evenly applying cosmetics

If you notice a collection of pimples surrounding your temple or hairline, this could be because you start applying the makeup or moisturizer at the bottom of your face and work your way upward. However, if the makeup or moisturizer collects on your temples or at the hairline, the cosmetic excess may clog the pores and cause zits.

Solution:
When applying makeup or a moisturizer, spread it evenly across the entire face. Keep in mind that hair styling agents may have spread to your hairline and this increases the chances of the pores getting congested and zits arising. Also, while cleansing your face, apply a warm cloth onto your hairline area to help remove the waxy build-up that comes from hair styling agents, moisturizers and makeup.

So next time you are applying makeup or your moisturizer, call to mind the feather and cotton, your metaphor for staying "light" and "clean" with your skin.

Health author and Stanford University graduate Naweko San-Joyz lovingly writes from her home in San Diego. Her works include "Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne" (ISBN: 0974912204) and the upcoming work "Skinny Fat Chicks, Why we're still not getting this dieting thing" (ISBN: 0974912212) for release in June of 2005. For useful acne self-help articles visit http://www.Noixia.com