Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in November, 2023 but has been updated for freshness and accuracy. Capital Femme is now a space where skincare meets Scripture 💛
At some point in our lives, we all have experienced a breakout. In the USA, approximately 85% of individuals between 12 and 24 experience acne, with a higher percentage being women.
Acne isn’t limited to a particular age group. So you’re not alone. You may know the reason why you’re breaking out or you don’t.
Today let’s talk a bit about possible reasons you may be experiencing a breakout. First, let’s start by stating what a breakout is.
A breakout, also called acne, is when pores or hair follicles get clogged with oil, dead skin or bacteria producing whiteheads, blackheads and pimples.
Breakouts for oily, acne-prone skin present themselves in the form of pimples like pustules and papules. Pustules are pus-filled bumps usually with yellow or white coloured centers while papules are small, red bumps on the skin.
Here are 8 reasons why you may be experiencing a breakout on your skin, along with some recommendations on how to prevent acne.
1. Hair’s dirty
Hair that needs to be washed can have dandruff that can spread to your face by sweating or scratching your scalp. Try washing your hair and keeping it clean.
2. Dirty pillowcases and sheets
Constantly sleeping or coming in contact with fabrics or materials that have dust or product buildup on them won’t be good for your skin. You should change your sheets every week or two.
3. Hormonal changes
This can cause acne due to the body producing more of an oily substance called sebum. This leads to inflammation, buildup of bacteria in hair follicles and clogged pores.
Hormonal acne normally occurs during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.
Stress, medical conditions and medications can also cause hormonal changes. For hormonal acne, you can try Good Molecules’ Gentle Retinol and stress management techniques.
4. Not exfoliating
In addition to hormonal changes, you can have a build-up of dead skin cells. This can allow dirt or bacteria to become trapped and not only lead to breakouts but also rashes and dullness.
While exfoliating helps the surface, don’t forget that what’s in your products can go much deeper. Some ingredients might even disrupt your mood and hormones. Curious? [Check out this post.]
5. Touching your face often throughout the day
Our hands touch so many other things during the day including door handles, surfaces and fosits. This can cause bacteria to build up and lead to breakouts. Try to minimize how often you touch your face and only do so with clean hands.
6. Unhealthy diet
What we put in our body is just as important as what we put on our body. Try to avoid foods high in trans fat, sugar and greasy foods. Your diet should be filled with whole foods such as fruits, veggies, fish, nuts and beans.
7. Not cleansing properly
Things like sleeping in your makeup can worsen acne. Not cleansing properly can lead to dirt and other impurities left on and in your pores resulting in breakouts. Try to cleanse twice a day, morning and night.
Before we dive into how your product choices may be affecting your skin, it’s worth exploring how certain toxic ingredients can impact more than just your face — they may be affecting your emotions and overall health. [Read more here]
8. Using the wrong products
An example of this is if you are using a moisturizer for dry skin which may be heavier or thicker and you have oily skin. This can clog your pores and make your oiliness worse.
Choose products with ingredients good for oily, acne prone skin and that are non-comedogenic (meaning they won’t clog your pores).
As is customary here we recommend using clean skincare products that are gentle to mild because anything too harsh can worsen acne. This applies to cleansers, toners, acids and other skincare products.
Curious how toxic ingredients might be impacting your health and emotions? Don’t miss this eye-opening post: 5 Toxic Ingredients to avoid in skincare and their effects
Finally, if you find yourself questioning what is causing your breakouts try to observe your routine more, and then make some adjustments.
Remember even through having breakouts you are fearfully and wonderfully made -Psalm 139:14. Hope this helped!
Thanks for reading Sapna ✅
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you are right because of wrong selection or underestimate breakouts can cause bigger skin problem.
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