9 Factors That Can Cause or Worsen Your Acne!

Acne can become quite frustrating, especially if you can’t seem to pinpoint the cause for such a bothersome skin condition. There are so many factors that can cause or even worsen your acne, so you need to pay close attention to your body in order to resolve the issue!

9 Factors That Can Cause or Worsen Acne!

1. Heredity
   Genetics is a factor you cannot (unfortunately) control. If one of your parents suffered from acne, you’ll be prone to this skin condition as well. Sorry!
2. Hormones
   Hormonal acne is a common problem amongst teenagers. During puberty, levels of androgen hormones increase and this causes your sebaceous glands to enlarge and produce more sebum. Excess sebum in your pores can cause your skin’s cellular walls to rupture and encourage the growth of acne-causing bacteria.

    

   Women also suffer from hormonal acne when their hormone levels fluctuate, during their monthly cycle or throughout their pregnancy.

3. Diet
   While foods don’t necessarily cause acne, they can and do affect your hormone levels. So it’s always best to decrease your consumption of sugar, dairy, soy, caffeine, and alcohol if you want to avoid aggravating your acne condition.
4. Stress
   Stress is the number one factor affecting your overall health! It’s sometimes called the “silent killer”. Stress messes with your hormones and your hormones in turn wreak havoc on your skin! It’s sort of a vicious cycle! Stress elevates your levels of cortisol (stress hormone), and cortisol causes your sebaceous glands to secrete more sebum, which can trigger the proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes (p. acnes bacteria).

    

   Find ways to manage your stress. Meditation is a great way to reduce stress and can prove beneficial at reducing the frequency of acne breakouts.

5. Lack of Sleep
   Stress not only affects your hormones. It can also lead to lack of sleep, therefore compounding your skin issues. Sleep is a time when your skin regenerates and repairs itself. Lack of sleep prevents your skin’s processes from functioning optimally.
6. Medication
   Certain medications, such as oral contraceptives or drugs containing corticosteroids, testosterone, iodides, bromides, or lithium can trigger acne flare ups.
7. Environment
   Pollution is often overlooked as a contributing factor to acne. But just think of the amount of dust and dirt floating in the air that can deposit itself onto your skin and settle into your pores! If you don’t wash your face right away when you get home, this dirt can clog your pores and allow bacteria to grow. That sounds like a recipe for more PIMPLES!
8. Friction
   Tight fitting clothes such as hats or headbands create friction and heat. When your skin perspires, it permits bacteria to grow and spread and can lead to an acne outbreak.
9. Poor Hygiene
   When dirt and bacteria get into your pores, they remain trapped inside by sebum, and can cause your pores to become clogged. This is the perfect place for p. acnes bacteria to grow!

    

   Things such as dirty makeup brushes can transfer germs onto your skin. Dirty brushes also contaminate your make-up jars and compact cases.

   Makeup buildup can also be the culprit for clogged pores! It’s important to maintain a rigid skincare regimen. Cleanse your skin at bedtime to prevent clogged pores and stop the growth of acne-causing bacteria.