Pimple problems: 5 common causes and how to prevent them

Are you wondering why your skin is breaking out when you’re well past your teenage years and shouldn’t have to deal with pimples on a regular basis? We know the feeling…but the good news is that you can get it under control if you understand the cause. Here are five of the most common acne triggers and tips to manage them:

Chronic stress: Acne is one of the first signs of a chronically-stressful lifestyle. Adult acne is particularly common among women, who are twice as likely to suffer from severe stress and anxiety as men. Chronic stress triggers an increase in stress-related hormones, which send your skin’s sebaceous (oil) glands into overdrive and slow down cell turnover, creating the perfect conditions for acne breakouts. Stressed skin also tends to look tired, uneven, and prematurely aged.

The fix: To reduce the effects of stress on skin, start with deep, slow breathing, which helps decrease tension and anxiety. As you work your way toward a less stressful lifestyle, incorporate preventative measures into your skin care routine, such as exfoliation and a weekly masque to help reduce congestion.

Hormonal fluctuations: Research has linked the sebaceous glands to the endocrine system, referring to the former as the “brain of the skin.” Stress plays a significant role when it comes to hormones. When the body produces excessive amounts of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, adrenal glands produce less progesterone – which is a natural anti-anxiety substance. This hormonal shift can lead to an internal imbalance, which may lead to breakouts.

The fix: It may be helpful to track when you experience breakouts. If you notice a regular pattern, for example, breakouts after menstruation or routinely stressful encounters, talk to a skin therapist about how to adjust your skin care routine accordingly. If pregnancy, menopause or a medical concern arises, talk to your doctor.

Environmental factors: From smoggy cities to humid summers, your skin might breakout when exposed to certain types of pollution, weather, and seasonal changes. It’s important to switch up your routine to respond to your skin’s changing needs. 

The fix: Exfoliation is an effective way of defending skin against breakouts by polishing away dull, dead skin cells. We love the Daily Milkfoliant – a calming oat-based powder exfoliant that smooths and soothes skin. Daily Superfoliant is a highly-active resurfacer that helps fight environmental triggers known to accelerate skin ageing. 

UV exposure: UV radiation dehydrates skin, which can cause it to over-produce oil – so skin ends up even oilier, causing breakouts. 

The fix: Using the wrong sunscreen can clog pores, worsening acne and breakouts, so make sure you invest in the right sunscreen to give your skin all the protection without all the drama. 

Lifestyle habits: Smoking, under-cleansing, wearing tight or itchy clothing, taking certain medications – all these are lifestyle habits that can affect the severity of one’s breakouts. Certain make-up, hair and skin care products can also contain pore-clogging ingredients that can trigger or exacerbate acne. 

The fix: To help keep pores clear, double cleanse daily with PreCleanse and Special Cleansing Gel.

For more information, visit Dermalogica. 

For more on beauty, visit Get It Magazine.