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

1. 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.
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!
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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!