The only thing worse than a breakout is not knowing why you have it. Pimples that suddenly emerge on your skin feel like God’s way of mocking you. They’re totally pointless, and they appear on the most visible part of your body, not the bits you cover up with clothes. It’s like some sort of cruel joke.
The trick to fighting back is to know what’s actually going on behind the scenes. Why are you so prone to breakouts, and what can you do about it?
In this post, we take a look at some of the most common breakout triggers so you can avoid a pimple-covered complexion in the future.
You're Using Too Much Cleanser
Doctors used to recommend that people with acne wash their faces every day to prevent the buildup of pimples. However, in many cases, doing that can actually make the problem worse. Spreading bacteria around may infect other pores, leading to further breakouts.
If you are using products to clean your face, make sure that they are specifically formulated for fighting acne, such as Duac gel. Regular cleansers may actually do more harm than good. Remember, the more you strip your face of sebum, the more it will produce.
You’re Going Through Hormonal Changes
If you’re going through hormonal changes, such as puberty, pregnancy, or even garden-variety stress, then it can result in pimple outbreaks. Changes in sebum production as well as skin alterations can make a massive difference in how your complexion manifests.
If you are going through hormonal changes, focus on bringing them back into line with diet and exercise. Eliminating animal products, particularly milk for a while, and replacing them with whole grains, beans and vegetables, can be highly beneficial. In fact, your skin could clear in as little as four weeks, even if you have severe acne.
You Are Using Comodogenic Skin Products
Comedogenic skin care products are a big no-no if you are prone to regular breakouts. Products, such as coconut oil, can actually clog pores and make breakouts even worse.
To be on the safe side, always choose comedogenic products. These are dermatologically tested not to increase the propensity of your skin to flare up.
You Aren’t Drinking Enough Water
Being dehydrated can adversely affect your body’s ability to self-regulate and hydrate. If water isn't present in sufficient quantities, cells will lose their equilibrium and may wind up producing more sebum which affects the skin.
Avoid spending too much time in the sun, which can dry you out. Also, cut down on your alcohol consumption, which is also something that can affect skin health. Wear plenty of sunscreen.
Your Diet Is Wrong
Skin responds directly to the foods that we eat. In fact, researchers have found that nutrients from our meals actually get incorporated into the dermal cells, such as carotenoids from green and orange vegetables.
If your diet is wrong, it can lead to breakouts. However, it depends on how food interacts with genes that regulate the appearance of your skin. Some people can have glowing skin while eating a diet of sugar-sweetened sodas and sausages, while others can have trouble on black rice and beans.
In general, the more you can move your diet in the direction of whole, unprocessed plant foods, the better. These tend to create body chemistries that make your skin look clearer and brighter.
Your Pillowcase Needs A Wash
If you think about the amount of time your face remains in contact with your pillow, it’s a lot. And because of this, its condition has a massive impact on your complexion. Remember, you spend a third of your life in contact with it.
Wash your pillowcase every week. Also, remember to remove all products from your face, such as makeup, before you hit the sack.
You Are Stressed Out Of Your Mind
Human beings are not designed to accommodate long-term stress. If we have an ongoing, gnawing sense of tension, our hormones change which, in turn, can lead to breakouts.
You’ve probably noticed that you get more breakouts during stressful times in your life. That’s because increases in hormones, such as cortisol, change sebum production in your skin, leading to excess oil that can clog pores. Worse still, the resulting acne itself can be stressful, leading to a vicious circle.
The trick here is to reduce the amount of stress that you are feeling. Learn that stress is a choice, not just something that happens to you. If you feel too engaged with aspects of your life, step back from them emotionally and reevaluate what they mean to you.
