Acne mostly occurs when your glands produce too much sebum, and there is an overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria or a buildup of dead skin cells. You might have the best skincare routine, but there may be certain other factors that could cause an acne breakout, you may not be aware of.
If you have tried every skincare tip that you know of and nothing seems to be working, one of these factors may be responsible:
1. Stress
Though stress cannot cause acne, it can worsen the symptoms for people already suffering from the condition. Stress leads to the release of stress hormones like cortisol, which also leads to an increase in testosterone levels. Testosterone acts on oil glands in your skin to increase production of sebum, a substance that combines with bacteria and dead skin cells to clog pores. This can lead to an acne breakout.
2. Your diet
High intake of dairy products and foods with high carb levels such as bread and potato chips, can make you prone to acne. Chocolate can also exacerbate acne symptoms. You should eat foods such as berries that are rich in antioxidants, because they prevent cell damage by free radicals. Also remember to stay hydrated, because water helps to keep your skin healthy.
3. Over exfoliation
You might think that scrubbing your face as often a possible will help to cleanse it, but this is wrong. Using strong exfoliants too often can remove healthy skin cells, causing acne. Exfoliate 2 or 3 times a week at most. Also, do not put too much pressure while rubbing, apply just enough pressure to remove the dead skin cells.
4. Smoking
Smoking affects the oxygen carrying ability of your body, and a shortfall in oxygen will encourage bacterial growth, leading to acne. The carcinogens present in cigarette smoke also cause skin irritation and dryness. This will increase sebum production, causing more acne.
5. Using products that clog your pores
Some ingredients like lanolin, mineral and petroleum in your skincare products are bad for skin and make it prone to acne. You should use products that have ‘non-comedogenic’, ‘water-based’ or ‘oil-free’ on their labels. Products like these will not clog your pores.
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