Causes of Skin Breakouts

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Acne can be caused by sooo many different things, so it’s important that you take the time to reflect on the probable culprit. Then you’ll be on the right track to eliminating your breakout (oooo acne better watch out).

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1. Stress Acne

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So maybe you’re cramming during finals, or super stressed about your friendship drama (we’ve all been there). And while stress is an extremely appropriate and valid reaction during these times, it might actually be the reason why you’re breaking out. 

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According to research, periods of stress increase a hormone known as cortisol in your blood. This hormone is associated with increased oil production in your skin, leading to blocked pores and ultimately more break outs. 

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You can definitely determine whether your acne is caused by stress. Firstly by acknowledging whether you’re going through a rough period, and then by checking where the acne is localized. Acne caused by stress will be found in the oiliest areas of your face. 

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Most importantly, however, is to try not to get stressed about the stress. You’ve figured out the root cause, so take comfort in the fact that this period will pass and so will your acne. Your best solution here is to take part in some self-care, and use a cleanser for oily skin to ensure that the excess oil doesn’t stay on your skin. 

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2. Hormonal Changes

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You’re growing up, and your body is going through immense changes to support that growth. We’re totally here for it! 

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However, some of these changes include fluctuations in certain hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. These fluctuations may cause skin inflammation and increased oil production, leading to hormonal acne. 

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With this form of acne-known as hormonal acne- you’ll likely experience flare ups around the time of your menstruation cycle, and you’ll typically find pimples on your chin, nose, and forehead (T-Zone). 

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So if your form of acne is hormonal acne, can you really do anything about it? Yes, and we’re taking it back to self-care. Try your best to focus on soothing your skin, using products with ingredients such as aloe vera and matcha. Using an oil-cleansing face wash will also help you balance sebum production on your skin and reduce the severity of your flare ups.

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If you find that you’re experiencing severe hormonal acne, you can also always speak to a dermatologist to figure out the best treatment option for you.

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The bottom line is, your body is supporting you through so much growth right now. It’s a beautiful time, and a little bit of acne shouldn’t ruin that for you <3 

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3. Too Much Scrubbing

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Have you been using harsh exfoliators to smooth out your skin? Maybe you’re looking for that soft texture to act as a base for your makeup. 

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Well, we hate to break it to you, but a harsh exfoliator may actually be causing your breakouts. Harsh and repetitive scrubbing causes microtears in your skin, eventually leading to irritation and inflammation that may trigger your flare-ups.

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So what’s the solution? Use milder face scrubs and limit the scrubbing to once or twice a week. Another option is to use a 3-in-1 gel to cleanse and gently scrub the face simultaneously, eliminating the need for a harsh exfoliator. 

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4. Sweaty, Sweaty Workouts

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Okay, don’t worry, we’re the biggest advocates of working out here. In fact, a good exercise regimen will eliminate toxins in the body and reduce your chances of developing irritating skin conditions. There’s nothing wrong with sweat. 

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On the other hand, however, the sweat in your skin can lead to breakouts if left for too long. You can combat this by ensuring that you wash your face whenever you’re done with your workouts, even if you don’t have time to get a full shower in. Also, try your best to remove your makeup before your workout, because that is an almost definitive way to clog your pores. 

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5. No Night Time Skincare Routine

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We’re all aware of the famous Youtube and TikTok “Morning Routine” viral videos, and we love it. 

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But just because you have an awesome morning skincare routine doesn’t mean you can forget to wash your face at night. This is because as you go by your day-to-day actions, your skin naturally builds up dirt and oil. If you don’t wash it off at night, this will accumulate on your skin (and your pillow) and may eventually trigger a breakout caused by excess oil and clogged pores. 

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A good cleanser- accompanied by a face mask for blackheads every once in a while- would do just the trick to avoid breakouts. 

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We’re All in This Together

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We promise this isn’t a High School Musical reference (or is it…)

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We’re just here to remind you that, as frustrating as sudden acne breakouts can be, they are extremely common and nothing to feel ashamed about. Even if you don’t manage to get rid of your acne in time for that special event, you will still look beautiful no matter what.

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Ensure that you’re taking the time for self-care routines to eliminate a build-up of oil and dirt, and that will at least reduce the severity and frequency of your breakouts. And, if a flare-up happens to come along, we hope you embrace the fact that it’s fairly common for a growing girl.

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