Acne is a skin condition that affects almost everyone at some point in life. It’s important to understand what causes acne to tackle it better. Here are 6 reasons for which your skin might be breaking out.
Acne not only disturbs your skins or leaves scars – they lead to insecurities and lower self-esteem issues among many. While people go on an overdrive with various topical applications to reduce or curb the acne formation many don’t even understand where the problem lies. While it’s good to take preventive measures it’s also important to know what causes acne.
What is Acne?
Acne is not just a pimple on your skin, it’s a long-term disease. When the hair follicles are clogged with dead skin cells and oil from the skin it gives rise to blackheads or whiteheads, pimples. Your face can look excessively oily and acne can leave annoying scars.
During puberty, in both sexes, acne is brought upon by an increase in hormones such as testosterone. Acne affects millions of people across the globe.
Let’s Understand What Causes Acne
Acne can be hormonal during puberty but even after puberty people can get acne for various reasons making skin conditions even worse. Here are top 5 reasons for what causes acne.
1. Over Scrubbing Skin
Many try to scrub away the acne using abrasive scrubs and rough exfoliants. Scrubbing around-the-clock with hard washcloths, cleaning brushes, or exfoliators will not scrub away the acne and leave your skin flawless. This over-scrubbing can actually have the opposite effect on the skin. The bacteria from the acne is spread all across the face in this process making the skin condition worse. A facial cleanser made specifically for your skin type with gentle exfoliation works just well.
2. Picking Pimples
Remember what your mom said about picking pimples? She was right and had legit reasons for asking you to not do such a heinous crime on your skin. As tempting as it may be, when you are trying to squeeze the puss out of the pore, chances are you are making it go deeper into your skin! Your fingers and nails have bacteria on them. You are only adding some more bacteria to the affected skin. The bacteria spreads underneath the skin layer causing more pimples! So listen to your mum, don’t touch those pimples.
3. Love Spicy Food? Rethink maybe?
Foods like pepper, tomatoes which have acidic lycopene cause irritation and imbalance of the pH levels o the skin. This may lead to breakouts. Spicy food, oily food, bread, dairy all can lead to acne. Some are allergic to certain foods and knowing your food allergies would be better in understanding what causes acne. Fresh fruits and vegetables, less sugar and lots of fluid (read water) help in flushing out toxins and are beneficial for a clear skin.
4. Quit Smoking for your skin’s sake!
Smoking is bad for you! No smoker wants to accept that initially! Every time you smoke a cigarette, you are lowering the amount of oxygen that your body needs. It creates a havoc on the collagen and elastin present in your skin. Collagen and elastin have the ability to prevent large pores and wrinkles, therefore, the carcinogens in a cigarette eliminate these two vital skin properties. The more you smoke, the more breakouts will occur. If nothing else has motivated you to quit smoking – knowing this fact might push you to quit. Won’t you do that for your skin’s sake?
5. Read the Labels
Today we are an overactive consumer. We like trying out different products for skin care, makeup etc. It’s always wise to read the label before picking up a product and applying it on your skin. Steer clear of products that use ‘mineral oils’ – they are heavily moisturizing agents but they also lead to clogged pores and result in breakouts. Also, avoid ‘silicon-based’ products and look for the moisturizers with skin hydrating element. If you have an acne prone skin try looking for products that say “non- comedogenic” in their labels.
It’s important that you understand what causes acne before losing your mind and applying tons of creams and lotions that promise to wipe out acne overnight! Reduce stress in life to reduce the harmful hormones.
Live well. Stay Happy.
Until Next time.
Cheers.
27 comments
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I noticed that my skin looks clearer when I eat a low carb diet with little to no processed foods. I also try and keep my sugar intake low as well.
What you eat can sometimes trigger your acne and i’m speaking from experience. Back when I was in college, I had a breakout because I didn’t know how to cook food from scratch and I would usually eat frozen and processed foods. Also, you need to have the right products for your skin because not all products work for the same people.Great article!
Very well said. What we eat is what shows on our face. I have seen drastic changes in me by the way i eat or have a lifetyle change. Good points.
That’s true food play an important role,that’s why I always maintain a healthy diet in my daily life and you have written about it very nicely
A great article that is very useful for all those struggling with acne problem. After reading this, I am sure many will try taking preventive measures.
I am right now suffering from acne.i will keep this point in mind for healthy ,clean skin
I get a lot of breakouts usually! Mine are due to hypothyroidism and Pcos… But yes, in general for regular acne, these tips are really helpful! ❤
Oh absolutely agree to this list of no gooders. I feel instead of using wrong products, just splash8ng plain water also is better.
Great pointers on acne. The food, weather, health all affect our skin and become a cause of various skin issues. Taking acre of ourselves and using the right product helps in a great way.
Totally agree to this … leaving spicy food has actually made my skin much better too.
That’s a very informative and useful post on acne. It’s detailed post thanks for sharing.
I remember when I was in teenage I had severe breakouts due to my picking pimples and I swear the resultant was such that I never tried to even touch the pimples ever again in future. Great tips here.
Most people do not realize that spicy and oily foods can harm our skin. Some great points stressed there!
Changing eating and lifestyle habits play an important role in treating acne. One should not pick pimples and should take care of skin by using appropriate skincare products, drink enough water and have proper sleep.
My sister has had acne for many years now and she has been taking care of her skin but her job gives so much stress and her sleeping pattern is not right. I will forward this post to her.
Yes I’m guilty of poking whiteheads… And leads to more… Keeping all these pointers in mind for clearer skin
This was quite informative especially because I have a highly acne prone skin.. n i keep.touching those aches often which leavea my skin with black spots 🙁 will take care now on.
Great insights.. never knew my spicy taste would effect my skin.. possibly that could be the cause i could never identify. Maybe try laying low on spice and see the difference. Thanks
Acne is one of the common skin problems. moatyof us think using some kind of creak will treat these issues but the main culprit is the food we eat. Over apicu, oily, fried food may satisfy our taste buds but it is not at all good our skin.
Luckily I never had an acne problem with my skin but my sis used to get it especially some products really trigger it.
I can so relate to the things you have written out here. Especially the one related to picking on pimples. I have heard a lot from my mother on this and she was right. If you leave them without troubling with fingers and nails they settle down easily. In my case reducing stress and oily food has helped a lot in keeping them at bay.
I have never suffered from acne but my sister has always been troubled with the acnes. Will ask her to look out for moisturizers with skin hydrating elements. Thanks for sharing!!!
Great post Tina, very well written. I too face ance during change if season. It is ind3ed helpful
Acne is a common skin problem for us, but I’m thankful I’m not suffering to that. My friend needs to see and know about what Causes of Acne. Thanks for sharing!
Acne is common skin problem for us, Glad I’m not suffering from this, Thanks for your article about what causes acne, many will benefits from this!
It’s true. There are many causes of acne other than just dirt on your face. For some, acne is a regularly occurring situation, what we call hormonal acne. This kind of acne is actually one of the hardest to combat since it’s caused by something from within the body, but still, there are many ways to minimize its appearance.
Either way, I’m quite surprised that spicy food can actually alleviate acne since most are known as an anti-inflammatory, right? Oh, well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this article. Thanks!