Surprising Reasons You’re Breaking Out

Struggling with acne is not fun, no matter what your age. Whether you’re 16 or35, dealing with acne can feel like an uphill battle. You may think you’re doing everything right to keep blemishes at bay, but acne can be triggered by a large number of factors. You may be using powerful acne-fighting products, but if your lifestyle and habits don’t change, your skin won’t be clearing up anytime soon. Here are some reasons your skin may still be breaking out.

Stress and Lack of Sleep

A wide variety of negative physical issues can be influenced by stress, and acne is certainly no exception. Cortisol, commonly referred to as the “stress hormone” can trigger breakouts, just what you need during times of stress. Lack of sleep can also trigger cortisol, so try to stay relaxed and get the rest you need to thrive and keep your skin clear.

Questionable Makeup Habits

Are you guilty of any of the following offenses?

• Neglecting your makeup brush cleaning
• Sleeping with makeup on
• Not cleansing your face of makeup properly

If so, you may be welcoming bacteria, clogged pores, and breakouts without realizing it. Practice good makeup habits–keep your face clean, and your brushes cleaner. Your skin will thank you.

You Feel the Burn

Exercise is important and should be part of your routine, but all that sweating isn’t great for your acne situation. Sweating can clog pores and mix with your skin’s natural oils, causing breakouts. Shower as soon as you can after working out, and use an acne-fighting body wash if necessary.

Your Period or Pregnancy

That time of the month? Increases in certain hormones can contribute to breakouts. That’s why in some cases, birth control pills are recommended as an acne treatment. Expecting? Unfortunately, there are fewer safe options for acne treatment in pregnant women, but there are still ways to help keep the problem from escalating.

Face Touching and Picking

Okay, this one isn’t surprising, but it is important that you stop! Acne is much more likely to scar, and you’re not helping anything by popping that whitehead. In fact, you’re probably making things worse. Touching and picking at your face can introduce bacteria, which can increase your chances of further breakouts and other bad news.

Hard Water

How’s the water in your area? If it’s hard water, the minerals in your shower could be preventing your products from being washed away effectively. That residue probably isn’t making your skin very happy!

Laundry Detergent Irritation

You may love the smell of your laundry detergent and other household cleansers, but your skin may not. Irritation can easily occur in sensitive skin after contact with harsh soaps. So if you’re noticing a trend of breakouts, you may want to consider a hypoallergenic soap formula.

The Climate

Change can be good, but it’s not always good news for your skin. If you’ve recently moved and are noticing more acne, the change in climate may have something to do with your troubles. Give it some time, and seek help from a dermatologist to clear things up. You might run into similar problems if you’re a frequent flier–air on planes is typically dry, and can irritate skin.

Side Effects

Medications can have a wide range of side effects–including acne. If you only recently noticed more blemishes, take a look at your prescription and see what you find.

Dirty Linens, Dirty Phone

Much like makeup brushes, dirty linens and cell phones are bad news for fighting acne. Bacteria can flourish and be introduced to your skin, influencing breakouts. Clean your pillowcases, sheets, and towels regularly–as if you needed more reasons. Don’t neglect keeping your phone clean too, particularly if you’re prone to chatting for long periods of time.

Dietary Concerns

Chocolate may not be the root cause of breakouts, but diet does play a role in the formation of acne. Dairy, sugar, soy, and other food types can influence blemishes, so ask your dermatologist for advice on what to cut back on.

Your Products

You may think you’re doing everything you can to fight acne, but you may simply be using the wrong products. Whether they’re poorly formulated or just not right for your skin type, the result is the same–little to no improvement in your acne. If you think you’re not using the right products, it’s definitely time to seek expert advice.

Do You Know Enough?

Internet research can only get you so far when it comes to skincare. You could actually be harming your skin instead of helping if you’re working off incorrect information. If you’re concerned about acne, dull or dry skin, or other problems that just aren’t improving, then it may be time to seek the expert advice of a cosmetic dermatologist. He or she can help you get to the root of your acne troubles and provide advice and treatment for getting and maintaining a smooth, blemish-free complexion. Expert cosmetic dermatologists like Dr. Diane Walder, along with her colleague Dr. Stacy Chimento, also offer treatments for diminishing the appearance of acne scars. For more information, come in for a consultation at their Miami office to learn more about your skin and move forward with acne treatment. Call 305-866-2177 to schedule your appointment.