Acne is something that many people associate with puberty and teenagers. However, according to the American Dermatologist Association, twenty-percent of all adults suffer from acne, and sixty million Americans have active acne on their faces or other parts of their body. Unfortunately, it’s a condition that can affect all individuals, regardless of age, race, or gender. Discovering the common causes of acne can help individuals treat and prevent acne.
Here Are Some Of The Most Common Causes Of Acne
Genetics
Studies show that individuals are more likely to suffer from acne if their parents or other family members have suffered or currently suffer from acne. Genetics determine a person’s genetic blueprint, including the thickness of a person’s skin, how oily it is, and the way the skin reacts to hormones. If a person’s parents or siblings have acne, it’s not a guaranteed thing that they will also have acne, but genetics often do play a part. While there’s no way to battle genes, a thorough skincare routine can do a lot to help prevent acne, and can counteract some of the most common causes of acne.
Dirty, Oily Skin
Another of the most common causes of acne is dirty, oily skin. Even the cleanest individual has to deal with makeup residue, oil, sweat, pollution, and many other types of dirt that can bog down the skin. It’s important to have a daily cleansing routine to care for facial skin; simply washing with bath soap isn’t adequate. According to experts, there are four basic steps to a great skincare routine, including:
- Cleansing – A cleanser should be chosen specifically for the individual’s skin type, whether it’s dry, oily, or combination. Inadequate cleansing is one of the most common causes of acne, often due to individuals choosing the wrong kind of cleanser.
- Exfoliation – The skin should be exfoliated once a week with a gentle facial scrub. This removes dead skin cells and keeps the skin looking younger.
- Moisturizer – A light moisturizer should be applied after cleansing to keep the skin hydrated. Keeping the skin moisturized helps counteract some of the most common causes of acne.
- Sunscreen – Sunscreen should be applied to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Hormones
Hormones affect the skin and can cause breakouts, especially in women before and after their menstrual cycle and during pregnancy. Being one of the most common causes of acne, the link between hormones and breakouts has been studied in-depth. Some experts believe a rise in testosterone levels cause acne in women before and after their menstrual cycle and during menopause. For this reason, many doctors prescribe estrogen-dominant birth control pills to women who are experiencing hormonal acne. These birth control pills often help to eliminate hormonal imbalance; one of the most common causes of acne.
Stress
One of the most common causes of acne, stress has been linked to a number of health conditions. Experts believe that stress triggers the adrenal glands, which produce cortisol. Cortisol is a type of steroid which can make the sebaceous glands in the body produce more oil, especially in the face. Oil is associated with many of the most common causes of acne. Individuals may notice that when they’re more stressed out than normal, they develop acne outbreaks on their face, back, chest, and other places on their bodies. To reduce the negative effects of stress, individuals are encouraged to find outlets that relieve their stress, from meditation to art or exercise. This can help relieve stress, one of the most common causes of acne.
Touching Your Face
Throughout the day, individuals touch their faces many, many times. What they don’t know is that this is one of the most common causes of acne. The hands pick up germs, dirt, oil and bacteria throughout the day, and when a person touches his or her face, all of those things are transferred to the facial skin. This can cause the pores to become clogged, triggering acne breakouts. Some experts suggest that this is the most common cause of acne on the chin or around the jaw line. Although it’s difficult, making a conscious effort to keep the hands away from your face can really help prevent acne outbreaks and pimples.
Excess Dairy and Sugar
One thing many people don’t know is that excess dairy and sugar in their diets is one of the most common causes of acne. When the body takes in too much of these types of foods, the skin acts as a natural purging system, and tries to get rid of the excess and waste. This can result in acne breakouts and pimples. Very little sugar is needed and only a few small servings of dairy each day, so if you’re experiencing acne and you don’t know why, try cutting out the sugar and dairy to see whether it makes a difference in your skin and whether you can eliminate another of the most common causes of acne.
By understanding the common causes of acne, individuals can act preemptively to prevent breakouts and pimples. In addition to that, taking care of their skin with a regular and thorough skincare routine is extremely important for preventing breakouts.
