9 Main Causes of Acne | What to Avoid?

Main Causes of Acnes- As we all know summers are approaching. Moreover, we all are well aware of how this season can be very harmful to our skin if ignored. Summer heat means more sweat, more oil, and speedier skin cell production as well. It is believed that hot weather increases the amount of water loss from our body which further leads to dehydration. It also leads to many skin problems such as irritation, redness, dryness, acne, breakouts, melasma, and so on. So it is high time that you guys need to update your skincare routine so that you can deal with the challenges that the summer season is going to put in your way. 

However, my today’s article is not about the effects that the summer season will leave on our body. Today in this article I’ll be talking about this common problem that has been troubling not only me but many other people around. 

I hope you guys have come across sentences like ‘acne is a sign that you are reaching your teenage’ and also sentences like ‘I’m not a teenager anymore, why do I still have acne?!. Now the question is does age factor is responsible for acne or are there some other reasons too. On this note let me introduce you guys with my today’s topic that is ACNE AND ITS MAIN CAUSES | WHAT TO AVOID

⚫What is acne?

In simpler terms when the tiny holes of our skin which are also known as pores get blocked due to oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, dirt, etc., there develops a pimple or zit and if our skin is repeatedly affected by this condition, it further takes the form of acne. Acne that appears on our face or skin affects us both physically and emotionally. It may also leave a permanent physical scar.

There are different types of acne. If you are dealing with acne you will witness white or black pimples on your body. It can be anywhere like on your face, back, neck, chest, and shoulders.

Types of Acne

*Blackheads and whiteheads– blackheads appear at the surface of your skin giving it a black appearance whereas whiteheads appear just under the surface of your skin giving them a white appearance.

*Papules- These are small red, raised bumps that are caused by inflamed or infected hair follicles.

*Nodules-These are painful solid lumps that develop beneath the surface of our skin.

*Pustules- These are pus-filled small red pimples.

*Cysts- These are large lumps that are found beneath our skin that contain pus and are hence painful. 

Now that we know a bit about acne and its types let’s move towards the main section of our blog that is the cause of acne.

⚫9 Main Causes of Acne

Many people are of the thought that acne is caused due to hormones and genetics but there are several other reasons too. So let’s look at those other reasons that are responsible for acne which is as below.

1. Hormones

Some androgens are present in both boys and girls. However, there is an increase in androgens in both of them during their puberty because of which the gland sebaceous, present under the skin enlarge and produces more oil/ sebum. The presence of excessive sebum damages the pore cellular wall and results in bacterial growth. Hormonal changes during periods, pregnancy, and so on can also lead to the fluctuation of the amount of sebum in our body. Which will further result in acne. 

2. Heredity

According to clinical experience, acne appears to run in a family. There were studies conducted and some major evidence was found which proved a genetic influence on acne. So if your parents are suffering from acne then there is a high probability that you will suffer from it too.

3. Oil-based beauty products

While buying any beauty product whether it be a cream, lotion, sunscreen, foundation, do keep in mind that it should be noncomedogenic, oil-free, and unscented. The cosmetic products that contain pore-clogging sulfates, mineral oil, coconut, and cocoa butter, and silicones can encourage the blocking of your skin’s pores. 

4. Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can do a lot worse to us. It can affect not only our mental state but can also lead to many hormonal changes which can further lead to skin problems like acne. Emotional stress directly affects the hormones cortisol and adrenaline which can make acne worse. These stress hormones further indulge our oil glands to make testosterone which increases oil production and clog our pores.

5. Medications 

It is suggested that drugs that contain androgens, corticosteroids, or lithium can make acne worse. 

6. Diet 

For a very long time, it was believed that greedy food and chocolates are responsible for acne but later on it was proved there are other food products too. A study was conducted and was later published in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics proved that diets high in dairy products, sweets, rice, bread, potatoes, and pasta are widely responsible for acne. Read about the Diet For Healthy Skin.

7. Too much sun

As we all know the harmful rays of the sun can cause a lot of trouble to our skin. The sun rays cause dryness which further triggers the production of more oil to compensate and this excessive oil leads to acne. 

8. Pressure on the skin

When a human being keeps on touching their skin frequently or exposing it to repeated friction can aggravate acne. Products like cell phones, hoodies, hats, helmets, tight collars, and even our own hands can cause sweat. Hence clogging pores and producing pimples. So it is highly suggested to not touch your face repeatedly and wash it once you come back from outside to avoid settling of dust.

9. Poor internal health

Acnes are also caused by many internal health problems that can be sign of some big health issue. It may be due to problem in digestive system, kidney and bladder, liver. Stomach and colon problems can also cause acne. It is always said, that our body starts giving a lot of signals about our poor health of which we may not be aware of. So, get your full body checkup after every 6 months if possible.

⚫What to avoid to prevent acne?

In this section, I will talk to you people about some do’s that you should opt for if you want to avoid or reduce the amount of acne on your body.

• Try not to go to bed with your makeup and sleep.
• As I mentioned above go for cosmetic products that are non-comedogenic, oil-free, and won’t clog pores.
• Avoid facial oils and hair products that contain oil coz it can worsen your acne.
• Don’t forget to put your sunscreen (5 Best Sunscreens) on when you are about to leave your place. No matter what the weather conditions might be. 
• Avoid repetitively touching your face.
• Try to keep a check on your diet and avoid the products that I mentioned above.

Hence this list includes a limited number of Do’s and don’ts that you must adopt to avoid acne.