Acne is one of those incredibly fickle things that almost everyone goes through as they hit adolescence. Pimples and inflammation seem as much a part of being a teen as prom and graduation. Sometimes, though, the acne chooses to stick around into adulthood or is really, really severe.
Doctors can offer medication and symptomatic treatment but if the breakout’s trigger is unknown, treatment can become a needle in a haystack situation. Everyone knows about hormonal acne, stress breakouts, and cystic acne but there are some hidden causes that may be at least partially contributing to your breakouts and discomfort.
A good night’s rest is key in keeping your skin healthy and smooth. When your body is running on fumes, it can become hard for your brain to prioritize which areas to continue to protect. Due to this, your immune system can miss irritants attacking your skin.
Sometimes, though, sleeping can actually be causing your acne! When you sleep, your body goes into a state of repair and tons of dead cells are released. On top of this, as the skin sheds, bacteria flakes off, too.
Can you guess where all of those dead cells and germs go? Right onto your pillow. It is recommended you wash your pillowcase at least every seven days, if not more often, to help combat this bacterial growth. Washing your actual pillows is recommended occasionally, too, especially if your pillowcase is made of a more porous cloth.
Toss it in the dryer with a couple of tennis balls after the wash to keep it fluffy and soft. You can actually go a step further and pick up a silk pillowcase to reduce friction and irritation on sensitive skin.
The sun can also play a role in acne breakouts. Everyone knows that regular tanning and sun exposure can increase your risk of skin cancer but it can also cause some pretty uncomfortable acne. The heat and humidity outside can cause your face to produce too much oil, leaving you with clogged pores and more breakouts.
Many SPF products can actually have the same results, so pay attention to labelling. Skin safety is incredibly important and should not ever be ignored.
Have you ever heard of pomade acne? Many people have not. This type of acne forms from hair product reactions. Basically, anything you use in your hair will migrate to your face. If the product is comedogenic or contains triggering ingredients, you will likely breakout.
This includes hair sprays, shampoos, conditioners, leave in treatments, hair dyes, and a host of other products. Literally anything you put into your hair can cause some sort of acne flare. Perfumes can have the same intense result so be vigilant when you switch up your usual products.
Everyone loves pasta but unfortunately it could be the reason your skin is freaking out. Carbohydrates have been linked to acne breakouts and a host of other skin issues including eczema. In a study, two groups were each given a face wash and told to consume either a high carb diet or a normal level.
The higher carb dieters experienced less results with the face wash and experienced a higher amount of pimples and inflammation. Though there are other factors at play possibly including whether their diets contained processed foods or lots of fatty snacks, if you have acne it may be worth looking into this solution.
Gluten and dairy are also known potential triggers, too. Ask your doctor about an allergy test or elimination therapy if you suspect your diet may be playing a part in your skin troubles.
With sriracha and insanely hot salsas being all the rage right now, tons of people are indulging in spicy foods. If you are one of the chiliheads who seek out wing eating competitions and the hottest of the hot and also have acne, you can maybe attribute some of it to your dietary choices.
Spicy foods usually contain tomatoes and peppers, both of which contain acidic lycopene that can irritate your gut and cause your skin’s pH levels to skew one way or another. When your skin’s pH is off, you are more susceptible to breakouts and infections.
If you think this may be a factor in your own acne, try cutting back on items containing tomato and pepper. If you see results, you have likely pinpointed the cause of your discomfort.
Makeup usage can cause acne if the products you use contain irritants that trigger your skin to react. Shockingly, your brushes and sponges can elicit the same response, too. Not cleaning your makeup tools thoroughly or frequently can allow bacteria to thrive within them.
Since you use them constantly on your face, the bacteria easily transfers over and causes breakouts. Your phone, earbuds, Clarisonic, and any other item that regularly touches your skin should be routinely cleaned out to prevent the spread of germs across your skin.
A spritz bottle full of alcohol will do the trick for hard items and electronics while castile soap or brush shampoo will handle your cosmetic tools; just be sure to get all of the soap off to prevent any irritation from the cleanser residue.
Working out is absolutely amazing for your body. It gives you a boost of energy, clears your mind, and strengths you from the inside out. There are literally almost zero negative facets to having a steady workout routine. Sometimes, though, you may find that you break out after working out.
This is caused by bacteria moving around within your sweat and being transferred to your skin from your workout environment. To combat this, try using a toner directly after working out if you cannot access a shower immediately.
Staying hydrated will keep your immune system ready to jump on any invading germs and also help you power through your exercise, too. Acne is no reason at all to stop working out, just take a bit of precaution to prevent it and you are all set.
If have acne, you know how tempting it can be to pick and pop those bumps. Whiteheads can be unsightly and embarrassing; they seem to go away faster when you give them a good squeeze anyways so why not help them disappear?
Popping zits damages your skin which makes you more susceptible to breakouts. On top of that, the bacteria within your pimple will spread when you pop it, creating new bumps. There are tons of other triggers that may or may not impact your skin.
Everyone is different and if you are concerned be sure to check with a doctor or dermatologist to figure out what course of action is the best fit for you.