Acne is a skin condition when there is a sebum build up on your skin that causes the pores to clog leading to a breakout.
These are often found in the areas of the face, chest, shoulders and neck.
Acne affects almost all people but is prevalent in the ages from 12 to 24 years old and some even up to 50 years old.
There are a lot of things that may cause an acne breakout from genetics to hygiene to an unhealthy diet. It is also different depending on each person.
Damaged skin cells and pores due to constant picking of the infected acne area can lead to recurring breakouts. Picking can result in the loosening of your pore’s cell lining which leads to clogged oil, causing an inflammation resulting in acne.
Here are 10 other reasons for your repeated acne breakouts:
- Dehydrated Skin
Water dehydration can lead to excess sebum production which can again lead to clogged pores. It can also lead to a build-up of dead skin cells that can further cause pore blockage.
It is advised to apply moisturizer and an SPF 30+ sunscreen to prevent your skin from drying up when being exposed to the sun during the day.
Drinking enough water will also help in maintaining your skin’s hydration.
- Lack of Sleep
If you are having a hard time getting some sleep, you might want to reassess your lifestyle or work habits so that you can prioritize your daily bed rest.
Sleep is a very important part of maintaining your skin as cells are being regenerated during your sleep.
Having a complete night rest helps in lowering your stress levels which prevents the overproduction of cortisol, which is the hormone responsible for the production of sebum.
Putting serums, moisturizers and minerals right before going to sleep is the most ideal time as the cells regenerate. This will help in the absorption of those products to the skin.
- Too much stress
As mentioned earlier, stress is one of the common causes of breakouts as there is an overproduction of cortisol when you are in a state of stress. This hormone causes excessive production of sebum. Minimize the stressors in your life or workplace if you want to prevent acne breakouts from happening again and again.
- An unhealthy diet or eating food allergens
Some people have allergic reactions to food as each person has a different tolerance level to allergens. Acne inflammation might be an allergic reaction to these foods. This may occur in the areas of your face, neck, or chests.
Processed foods as well as high sugar level foods disrupt the hormone levels which increases breakouts.
Avoiding oily and fatty foods, nuts, chocolates, and seafood is advised to those who are having breakouts as these are allergen foods.
- Dirty Pillowcase
Your pillowcase accumulates oil and dirt from our body and faces, and since our faces are pressed against it during sleep, this may irritate the skin on your face. It is important to change and wash your pillowcases weekly.
Washing your face before sleep is advisable to prevent build up in your beddings and pillowcases.
- Using comedogenic skincare products
It is important to look for products that have non-comedogenic ingredients. You can also look for products that are specifically made for “acne-prone skin” to avoid skin inflammation and irritation, especially for highly sensitive skin.
- Hormonal imbalance
Hormonal imbalance may occur when you are taking birth control pills, during menopause, or menstrual cycle. It can also occur during the puberty stage where breakouts are prevalent.
During adolescence, the androgen level rises. A high level of androgen causes excessive sebum production and bacterial build-up.
- Hair products
Some hair products may fall or touch your face which may cause breakouts. These hair products aren’t meant for your face and may have comedogenic ingredients.
You can find organic products and “non-comedogenic” hair products to prevent breakouts from these.
- Too much cleansing
Too much cleansing of the face may result in dehydration which may lead to excessive sebum production. The skin produces just the right amount of sebum to maintain its health and hydration. Taking away the oil that your skin needs does not help your skin in its healing process.
- Touching your face and plucking out acne
The constant touching of your face with your hands or fingers will result in inflammation of the skin especially in the acne-affected areas. Plucking out of your acne will also result in acne marks and blemishes.
A lot of bacteria are also present in our hands. Avoiding touching the face will help prevent bacterial build-up that may lead to acne breakouts.Having acne breakouts can be a stressful journey and can also cost a lot of money. It is important to get yourself checked by a professional to know the right medication for you. Acne differs in every person as each one reacts to products and medication differently. If you cannot find a dermatologist in your local walk-in clinic Calgary, try to contact online clinics instead. There are online dermatologists that are more than willing to help you get diagnosed and treated of your skin condition.