How to Know What Causes Your Acne Year-Round

What to Know About Acne

Know Your Skin

If you suffer from acne, you know that some causes may be tied to seasonal situations, yet most causes can prompt a breakout at any time of the year. Having an idea of your skin’s specific triggers will help prevent breakouts and manage them when they do occur.

What Is Acne?

Acne is caused by buildup in our skin’s pores. When sebum, dead skin cells, and dirt mix and fill up a pore, the area becomes inflamed from the stress put on the skin tissue. Acne can also become inflamed when acne bacteria live on the breakouts in severe cases, sometimes resulting in acne scars. Acne can be painful, but there are many ways to identify the cause and develop a treatment plan to reduce it.

What Causes Acne?

There are many ways pores become clogged and inflamed:

• Diet – One of the main causes of acne is from overproduction of sebum from what we eat. Sugar, dairy, and carbohydrates all contribute to higher blood glucose (sugar) levels, which is accompanied by sebum secretion by our pores. When this builds up, it can form acne.

• Water intake – Not drinking enough water can be a cause of acne. When our blood glucose levels rise from something we eat or from dehydration, it’s important that those levels don’t get too high. Drinking enough water keeps our blood diluted and able to process nutrients and toxins.

• Skincare routine – One of the best ways to avoid buildup in your skin’s pores is to regularly cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize. Having a routine that keeps your skin clear of dead cells, dirt, and sebum removes much of the potential for those materials to build up. Not having a routine, or having an overly complicated one, is a primary cause of acne development.

• Skincare products – Lotions, creams, serums, and other products are developed to support our cleansing and skincare routines. Too many products, however, can be counterproductive. Layers of moisturizer or multiple oils can build up in pores and lead to a breakout. Products that aren’t right for your skin type can even be irritating as well.

• Hormones – During puberty and pregnancy, hormones are flowing through the body and prompting glands to be overactive. Oil and sweat are commonly in excess during these periods of life, and they can contribute to acne breakouts if not managed well enough.

• Sweating – For some, sports are only in the summer, some play outside year round, and others bring it inside in the winter. In any case, sweat can mix with the dirt and oil on your face and settle in your pores, causing breakouts. If you’re playing sports or working out, be sure to wash your skin afterwards to prevent congestion.

How to Know What’s Causing Your Acne

When you know what’s causing it, you’re on the path to figuring out how to get rid of acne. Paying attention to those factors above will inform you as to whether or not it could be a cause of your breakouts. Watch for the patterns! If you’re breaking out after holiday parties, drinks while out with friends, or after eating sweets or dairy, consider reducing them next time. If you’re finding yourself sweating more in the summer and breaking out, adjust your cleansing schedule accordingly.

Reach out today for a consultation with one of our skincare specialists to identify the cause of your breakouts and discuss what acne treatments might be right for you.