Breaking Down Acne Triggers

Have you ever wondered why your skin is clear one day and breaking out the next? While the foundation of acne lies in a complicated interplay of genetics, excess oil, and bacteria, some factors can act as “triggers” that set off or intensify breakouts.

Understanding these triggers is a powerful step toward managing your skin’s health, allowing you to move from reacting to breakouts to proactively preventing them. It’s not about finding a single culprit, but about identifying patterns and making small changes that can lead to big improvements. Here’s our tips and tricks guide below which may help you control breakouts.

Hormones

Hormonal fluctuations are a major trigger for many people, especially women. Androgens, a type of hormone, can stimulate your oil glands to produce more sebum, which can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Acne flares can happen around puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or during menopause. Certain medications, like birth control pills or steroids, can also affect your hormone levels and trigger acne.

Diet

The connection between diet and acne is a popular and often-debated topic. While we used to think chocolate and greasy foods cause pimples, we now know this to be untrue. However a few specific food groups might play a role for some people.

• Dairy: Dairy products, especially skim milk, have been linked to acne in some studies. This is believed to be related to the hormones and growth factors found in milk.
• High-Glycemic Foods: Foods causing a rapid spike in blood sugar like white bread, sugary snacks, and refined carbohydrates, may contribute to inflammation and increased sebum production.

Stress

Stress doesn’t directly cause acne, but it can make it worse. When you’re stressed out, your body produces more cortisol, a hormone that can increase oil production. This is what causes an increase in breakouts during stressful events.

Products and Habits

What we put on our skin and how we treat it everyday can have a huge impact.

• Pore-Clogging Products: Look for products labeled “non-comedogenic” or “oil-free,” which are formulated to not clog pores. Ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and certain silicones can be pore-clogging for some skin types.
• Over-Cleansing and Over-Exfoliating: Don’t over scrub or be too aggressive with your skin. This can strip away the natural oils and cause irritation, prompting your skin to produce even more oil to compensate, leading to more breakouts.
• Dirty Items: Your phone, pillowcase, hats, and even your own hands are covered in oil, dirt, and bacteria. Regularly cleaning these items can help prevent the transfer of germs to your face.

In addition to the common triggers like hormones, diet, and stress, there are a number of more subtle, often-overlooked factors that can contribute to breakouts. Identifying these “hidden triggers” can be key to achieving clearer skin.

1. Rest and Stress

• Stress triggers adrenal glands → more oil production → clogged pores.
• Prioritize rest and stress reduction.

2. Fabric Softener

• Residue can clog pores of acne-prone individuals. You can use anti-static dryer balls to reduce static cling.

3. Detergent

• Fragrance causes irritation – always choose fragrance free.

4. Pillowcases

• Oil and product buildup can cause clogged pores. Always change pillow cases twice a week.

5. Water Softeners

• There is some evidence that water softeners can lead to acne, especially those containing high amounts of potassium chloride

6. Swimming

• Swimming pool disinfectants contain iodides and chlorine which can remain in the water, causing skin problems for frequent swimmers. Consider applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly over your sunscreen before you get into the pool.

7. Sun Exposure

• Although sun exposure causes desirable scaling and drying, it also damages the follicle, exacerbates dark spots, and causes skin cancer and premature aging. Always wear sunscreen SPF 30 or higher, even on overcast or rainy days.

8. Hand Lotions

• If you are using a pore-clogging (comedogenic) hand lotion then leaning your face on your hands or sleeping on your hands, this could exacerbate your acne.

9. Acne Around the Mouth

• If you’re noticing breakouts around your mouth, your lip balm, toothpaste, or even facial tissues could be to blame. Many of these products contain pore-clogging ingredients that can trigger acne. Plain petroleum jelly or aquaphor may be a good alternative for lip balm and choosing a toothpaste that’s free of SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate).

10. Picking or Squeezing

• Rub ice on pustules and pimples for a couple of minutes, twice a day. IMPORTANT: if you pick, squeeze, and break the skin, that scab will leave a red or dark mark that will take months to heal versus if you left it alone.

By paying attention to these triggers, you can start to understand what works for your unique skin. If you’re still struggling with breakouts, a qualified medical professional can help you create a personalized plan to get your skin back on track. Book an appointment with our experts today!