Blemishes are a common skin condition that are not usually problematic unless they are persistent. Blemishes can be very difficult to get rid of and often require medical attention. The most well-known blemish is acne. This is a skin disorder that causes red spots, papules, and pustules to form on the surface of the skin and often leads to scarring if not treated quickly.
The two causes of acne are hormones and dirty skin. When your body produces too much oil, the oil gets trapped in your pores and clogs them. This is when bacteria grow in these clogged pores, causing pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads.
The first cause of acne is hormones that lead to hormone-related oil production which leads to the clogging of pores and then acne formation. The second cause is dirty skin, which can happen when you don’t wash your face enough or use harsh products on it that make it drier than usual.
There are lots of skincare products out there, designed to help you treat spots and breakouts, but let’s take a look at ten things that can cause acne worse, and what you can do to avoid them.
Stress – Some research suggests that stress can weaken the body’s immune system, which can result in an increase in acne breakouts. Try meditating before or after a stressful day to relieve some of your anxiety and tension.
Diet – Eating foods high in refined sugar and trans fat can also lead to an increase in breakouts by negatively impacting your gut health and inflammatory response. Breakouts can also be caused by eating anything that is highly processed, such as cheese and breads, because they contain gluten which can irritate the skin and cause acne flare-ups.
Skincare Products – Skincare products are not always as clean and pure as we think they are. They can contain carcinogenic chemicals, fragrances, and other impurities that can cause breakouts.
Humidity – High humidity can cause breakouts because it causes a bacteria buildup on the skin. This bacteria buildup is a result of sweat and oil on the skin, which combine with moisture in the air to create an ideal environment for bacteria.
Humidity is bad for your skin because it gives bacteria more of an opportunity to thrive. For example, sweat and oil that accumulated on your skin during the day are combined with moisture in the air to create a perfect environment for bacteria to grow in. The result? A breakout.
Hormones – Hormones also play a role in causing breakouts because they change the pH levels in the skin, which causes clogged pores and irritation that can lead to acne or other inflammatory conditions such as rosacea or hives. Stress hormones can also cause sunburns and age spots due to increased exposure from sun damage or tanning beds.
Genetics – Your genetics can cause breakouts because they are responsible for the production of proteins that create a protective barrier between your skin and the environment.
This is why people who have more oily skin or who have certain genes may be prone to breakouts. With this information, you should be able to find some ways to improve your skin by understanding what your genetics might have caused it.
Food Allergies – Food allergies can cause breakouts for a variety of reasons. One reason is that the food might affect your digestion, which can lead to acne or other skin problems. Another reason is that food allergies can lead to inflammation, and this might cause breakouts.
Too Much Sun Exposure: Exposing your skin to sunlight is an easy way to get a tan, but it’s also one of the quickest ways to make acne worse. The sun will cause your pores to open up, allowing bacteria-filled sebum and dead skin cells to come in contact with your skin’s surface more easily.
Smoking: Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin (which provides nutrients and oxygen), therefore making problems like acne worse. A study found that people who smoke are three times more likely to suffer from severe acne than those who don’t smoke.
Breakouts are an annoying attribute to the human body. However, with the right care and products, you can keep your skin break-out free.
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