Have you ever looked in the mirror and uttered these words under
your breath, 'Why am I still breaking out'? Did you wonder why, even in
your adult years, you still have to put up with acne? The idea that acne
should be a thing of the past - a teenage problem - can leave adults
frustrated not knowing what is causing their skin breakouts. Here are 14
things you should know to help you identify the causes of your
flare-ups and ways to prevent them.
#1 Blame it on the hormones
Androgens,
like testosterone, are male hormones (present in women too) which are
responsible for causing acne. Women undergo sharp hormonal changes more
often than men, so women are twice as likely as men to be afflicted with
acne during adulthood. Given this fact, it is no wonder why acne can
strike anytime in a woman's life - during puberty, ovulation,
menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and even after menopause. Female
acne can also be a symptom of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) which
is a disorder caused by hormonal imbalances; however, usually, these
individuals are overweight, have fertility issues, do not have regular
periods and grow excess hair in unwanted areas, such as the upper lip,
chin and chest (more manly distribution of hair). In addition, some
people who have thyroid problems may also have trouble with acne. It is
also interesting to know that although men are at a lower risk for adult
acne, men are more prone than women to have more severe forms of acne
because of the higher levels of testosterone naturally circulating
within a man's body.
#2 Quit smoking
Did you ever notice the
complexion of a longtime smoker? It is not supple and often looks dry,
rough and leathery. Recent studies have discovered a phenomenon labeled
as 'smoker's acne'; the acne in smoking individuals is non-inflammatory
(bumps with no swelling or redness), commonly known as blackheads and
whiteheads. Inflammatory acne, on the contrary, is when the spots are
red, pus-like and swollen. Research shows that for people who had acne
as teens, the probability of suffering from adult acne is four times
higher in smokers than non-smokers. According to a British Journal of
Dermatology, a study of 1000 women aged 25 to 50 found that 42 per cent
of smokers had acne compared to only 10 per cent of non-smokers. It is a
good idea to kick the habit, not only for health reasons, but also for
the reason that smoking has long been associated with premature aging of
the skin, wrinkles and a bad complexion.
#3 Check skin products
Sometimes
the products you are applying on your face can trigger breakouts so pay
close attention to your cosmetics, shaving creams, cleansers,
moisturizers and makeup. Steer away from products with an oil-base which
can block pores resulting in acne. Allow your skin to breathe and only
put oil-free (noncomedogenic) products on your skin.
#4 Side effects of drugs
Since
hormones are the main cause of acne and most acne cases are not
drug-related, do not stop using your medications. However, bear in mind
that some medications can cause acne breakouts. Phenobarbital
(medication used for seizures), steroids (prescribed and illegal use in
bodybuilding), lithium (medication for bipolar disorder), isoniazid and
rifampin (medication used in tuberculosis), DHEA supplements (marketed
as the extremely controversial anti-aging pill which causes serious side
effects and has not been proven to work), hormone therapies and certain
birth control treatments can cause or worsen acne. Again, talk to your
doctor before discontinuing any medication.
#5 Your skin is what you eat
Although
skepticism still exists in the dermatology community linking diet with
acne, some people swear that certain foods cause them to break out.
Until more solid evidence is out, the link between certain foods causing
acne remains to be controversial. With that said, if you notice
something you eat causes you to break out in pimples, avoid the food; by
the same token, there is no guarantee that avoidance will necessarily
cure your acne, but it is worth a try.
-Nuts: Although nuts are
healthy snacks that calm our hunger pangs quickly because they are
satiating, they can provoke acne in some individuals.
-Dairy: Recent
studies have shown that milk and dairy products may trigger acne. It is
not recommended to stop dairy as a means to improve your skin until
more studies are conducted. Calcium is abundant in dairy products and is
crucial for osteoporosis prevention. If your dairy intake is low, make
sure to take dietary supplements to keep your bones strong.
-Chocolate:
Some people experience pimples when they eat chocolate while it may not
even faze others. It is not proven that chocolate causes acne and some
claims have gone as far as saying 'a bar a day keeps the spots away'
suggesting that chocolate can even cure acne!
-High glycemic foods:
There is some evidence that foods with high-glycemic indices (sugared
drinks, sweets, white bread and carbohydrate-rich foods) produce a quick
spike in blood sugar which may aggravate acne. Although debate still
exists in the scientific community around the notion that greasy and
fatty foods worsen acne, many still carry the belief that it is
definitely a contributor to acne. It has also been proposed that
switching to a plant-based, low-fat, high-fiber diet can reduce acne
flare-ups since vegetables and fruits are natural anti-oxidants and have
anti-inflammatory properties. Eating more fish may also pave the way
for clearer skin as they are rich in omega 3-oils which is known to
reduce inflammation.
-Acne-fighting foods: Essential fatty acids
(flax seeds, fish), Vitamin A (carrots, green leafy vegetables, sweet
potatoes), zinc (whole grains, spinach), Vitamin E (green leafy
vegetables), Vitamin C (citrus fruits, green peppers) Vitamin B-complex
(brown rice, bananas), chromium (whole wheat breads, broccoli) and
selenium (fish, lean meat, garlic, barley) are a sample list of foods
that are rich in acne-suppressing vitamins and minerals. It is best to
get these nutrients by eating enriched foods; do not take supplements
without consulting a medical professional as overdosing can occur.
#6 Stay regular
Constipation
can trigger acne by keeping toxins in your body. Eating a diet rich in
fiber, drinking water and maintaining an active lifestyle will help
prevent constipation and may be just what you need to clear up your
skin.
#7 Stress-management
Stress-induced acne has been a
highly debated topic and, recently, numerous studies have proven that
stress does, in fact, worsen acne. Stress causes acne by lowering our
immune system's ability to heal and causing androgens and cortisol to be
activated which are acne promoting hormones.
#8 It is in the genes
Your
genes may control your skin type. Adults with oilier skin are more
prone to acne breakouts; also if acne runs in your family, chances are
you will develop acne in your adult years. People who have the
'perfect-skin gene' should really know how lucky they are.
#9 Climate
Does
the weather affect acne? It is not hard to believe that hot and humid
weather may cause more break-outs due to excess sweating; however,
sweating alone does not clog pores, rather the mix of sweat with
exposure to oils and polluted air provides a better environment for acne
to erupt. It is also important not to use the sun to dry out your acne
as over-exposure will prematurely age the skin, darkens spots and may
flare up acne, let alone the cancerous effects of the sun's harmful
ultraviolet rays. How about the cold weather? Winter tends to worsen
acne since cold weather causes the skin to dry out and the pores to
shrink, leading to more clogging of pores. It is essential to
moisturize, year-around, to help keep acne from worsening. Just because
the weather is cold, does not mean you should skip the sunscreen since
the sun's rays are still strong and can penetrate even on a cloudy day
or through the windshield while driving. Sunscreens should, not only be
used in the summer, but also in the winter.
#10 Pressure and Friction
Adult
acne can be caused by certain types of constant physical pressure to
the skin, such as tucking a phone under the chin, or the friction from
the straps of a backpack or purse. Tight clothing and undergarments,
such as tight bra straps, and even excessive phone use can contribute to
acne.
#11 Dehydration
Not only does too much sun exposure and
cold weather worsen acne by drying out the skin, but dehydration from
lack of fluid intake can also cause breakouts. Hydrating the skin by
hydrating the inside of your body will help prevent clogging of pores.
Any caffeinated drinks, such as soda, tea and coffee, are dehydrating
because they have diuretic properties (increase urination) so limit
their intake. Water is the best fluid for your skin.
#12 Dirt
Clogged
pores cause acne. Acne strikes when bacteria, excess oils and clogged
pores are present. Although, dirt itself does not cause acne, it is
essential to maintain a daily hygienic skin regimen in order to remove
dead cells, dirt and excess oils to prevent blockage of pores. Avoid
touching your face because your fingers have oils that can exacerbate
acne. Dirty, oily hair touching your skin can also clog pores.
#13 Work out
There
is strong evidence suggesting that exercise may clear up skin by
lowering stress levels. Sweating is a normal bodily function and does
not directly cause acne; nonetheless, it is still recommended to pull
your hair away from your face during exercise to avoid oils from your
hair touching your face and wash away or towel off sweat when you finish
working out.
#14 Get good sleep
Not getting enough sleep
increases stress which can lead to acne. In addition, studies have shown
that sleep deprivation increases inflammation, thus exacerbating acne.
Sometimes,
more than one factor may be causing your acne and it is not always easy
to figure it out. Achieving clear skin may be as simple as switching
your facial cream to a complex problem that requires a specialist. You
might be surprised that just by lowering your stress, your complexion
might improve. Remember sometimes, you might feel worse than your face
actually looks and, without a doubt, you are your own worst enemy. Keep
in mind that a natural glow comes from within, not just from an absence
of pimples.
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