Top 6 Triggers That Can Contribute to Breakouts
Most
people attribute their breakouts to an overly oily complexion, and they aren’t
entirely wrong to do so, but did you know that it takes more than just oil to
form a pimple on your complexion?
Acne
is a disease that affects the skin, and is the most common skin condition in
the United States, and does not discriminate based on age, sex, race, or any
single identifier. It is normally caused by a hormonal imbalance that triggers
an excessive amount of sebum, or skin oil, to be produced by the sebaceous
glands. Too much of this oil can become clogged within pores, where it travels
from the sebaceous glands to the surface of the skin. But the formation of acne
doesn’t stop here! When combined with dry, dead skin cells, bacteria known as
P. acnes forms, and triggers an inflammatory response from the body. This
process is known as the acne cascade, and often leads to
acne symptoms that appear on the surface as red, swollen bumps that we refer to
as pimples.
As
you can see, acne is the result of internal and external contributors, and must
be treated with these aspects in mind. We know that too much oil, and dead skin
cells from the harmful bacteria that can lead to acne symptoms, and we’ve
targeted six triggers that can
The Top 6 Triggers Can Contribute to
Breakouts
- Hormones. Acne is the result of a
hormonal imbalance. Many of our hormonal functions are hereditary, or
influenced by where we may be in life, such as puberty, pregnancy, or PMS. Some hormonal activity can’t be immediately
changed, but there are some things we can do to keep them under control. Sleep
is a major game-changer in this regard because it can affect the adrenal
hormone cortisol, which runs along the pathway of testosterone (known for
triggering sebaceous glands.) Hormone levels can be negatively impacted by
trigger #2.
- Stress. Stress is known to disrupt a normal
hormonal balance, leading the adrenal hormone cortisol to be kicked into
overdrive during the day. It causes a serious increase in inflammatory
chemicals at a cellular level, and since acne is one form of inflammatory
disease, stress will worsen acne, sometimes quite dramatically. Stress can be
lowered in a number of ways, from regular, quality sleep to daily meditation
practices, to exercise. You can de-stress in an instant by simply allowing
yourself to stop and take a couple of slow, deep breaths. It sounds like a
little, but it will go a long way in lowering stress levels and ultimately,
acne!
- Diet. When it comes to skin, obviously the old
adage reigns true: what you put into your body is going to affect what you see
on the outside. The foods we eat can’t cure acne alone, but certain items can
work to curb the body’s Inflammatory response. Pimples occur when the body
sends in white blood cells to “attack” the bacteria that forms within a clogged
pore, therefore, keeping to an anti-inflammatory diet
for acne
is a crucial step in becoming acne-free. Our favorite anti-inflammatory go-to
foods include turmeric, garlic, and ginger.
- Dry skin. We’ve said it before
but it’s always worth repeating: it's not just excess sebum that clogs pores
and causes acne. Dead skin cells pair with the sticky, oily substance to form
bacteria deep within the pore, so eliminating that will give you a good chance
at remaining acne-free. Regular exfoliation, moisturizing, and staying hydrated
both on the surface of the skin and from within can go a very long way in
keeping your complexion smooth and flake-free.
- Pore-clogging makeup. The term
“non-comedogenic” stems from the word “comedones” which are a type of lesion
(or pimple) that can form on the skin. Formulas labeled non-comedogenic are
specifically designed to prevent blockage of the pores, an important part of
the acne formation process you definitely want to avoid. Taking a few minutes
to scan labels for the non-comedogenic seal of approval will be well worth the
effort, and additional words to look out for include oil-free, paraben-free,
and sulfate-free.
- Dirty surfaces. While acne is the
result of a hormonal issue that must be treated at its source, taking measures
to keep the surface of your skin clean will go a long way in preventing
breakouts. Getting into the habit of keeping those fingers and hands off the
face will help prevent bacteria from settling on the complexion. Changing out
those bath towels, hand towels, and pillowcases every week can result in
measurable improvements in the texture and appearance of your skin. Resisting
the urge to pick or pop will also help prevent the spread of contamination, as
the contents of that blemish you’re extracting can spread into surrounding
pores, possibly leading to more acne!
While
the external factors listed can certainly contribute to acne symptoms, acne
must be treated at its source in order to experience real results. Finding a
combination of solutions to address the inner and outer issues of the disease
will be your best bet, with a topical facial wash to cleanse the surface on the
outside, and a systemic treatment solution to target the problem from within.
AcnEase, a safe and effective herbal treatment, is designed to treat all acne no matter how mild or
severe the symptoms. In fact, 96% of AcnEase users say that AcnEase works
for them. We hope you’re next!
We
want to hear from you! Have you noticed breakouts appearing more or less often
when one of these areas is addressed in your life? Have any tips for keeping
your oil, and dry skin, under control? Tell us in the comments!