2. What Causes Acne?
puberty, pregnancy, and the menstrual cycle
squeezing or picking at existing pimples
cleaning or rubbing your skin too harshly
pressure from things like hats, helmets, and backpack straps
high humidity
cosmetics, like oil-based products
some medications
Breakouts can be triggered by hormones, specifically androgen, which
stimulatesTrusted Source sebum production.
Genetics, diet, overuse of skin products, and environmental factors like pollution
can also cause acne and other types of skin irritation.
Other common causes include:
3. Steps
Properly wash your face
1.
2. Know your skin type
3.Use a moisturizer
4.Stay hydrated
5.Don't be a pimple popper
6.Avoid certain foods
7.Try stress-busting activities
4. Properly wash your
face
Pimples can appear anywhere on the skin, but they most
often occur on the face. While the skin microbiome is
complex, scientists have identified a bacteria called
Propionibacterium acnes that can cause acne breakouts.
This bacteria causes inflammation when it turns sebum,
the oil found naturally on skin, into fatty acids.
Removing excess oil, dirt, and sweat daily can help prevent
pimples — but washing your face too much may make
acne worse.
5. Know your skin type
Dry. Your skin often feels flaky and tight.
Oily. Your skin tends to look shiny by the end of the day.
Combination. You have both dry areas and oily areas. The oily area is
usually the T-zone, or your forehead, nose, and chin.
Sensitive. Your skin reacts easily to products and is prone to rashes,
discoloration, or irritation. You can have sensitive skin along with any of
the above skin types.
Knowing your skin type can help you determine which products to use and
avoid. You can use the following parameters to identify your skin type, but
you can also consult a dermatologist for help if you’re still unsure:
6. Use a
moisturizer
Moisturizer help skin stay hydrated,
which makes a big difference for acne-
prone skin. If your skin gets too dry, it will
produce oil (sebum) to counterbalance
the dryness. And, as noted above, an
excess of sebum can cause pimples.
However, many moisturizers contain oil,
synthetic fragrance, or other ingredients
that may irritate your skin and cause
pimples. Be sure to check the ingredient
list before purchasing a moisturizer to
make sure it’s fragrance-free and
noncomedogenic.
7. Stay hydrated
after exercise
when pregnant or nursing
when spending time in a hot, humid environment
If you’re dehydrated, your body may signal your skin’s oil
glands to produce more oil. Dehydration also gives your skin a
dull appearance and promotes inflammation and
discoloration.
To keep your body well-hydrated, aim to drink at least eight,
8-ounce glasses of water each day.
Drink more:
8. Don't be a
pimple popper
becoming inflamed and clogging
surrounding pores
getting infected
leaving behind scars
While it might feel practically
impossible to resist squeezing that
larger-than-life whitehead on the tip of
your nose, your best bet is to avoid
popping zits.
Popped pimples often bleed, but they
can also make the problem worse by:
9. Avoid certain foods
processed foods
dairy products
alcohol
refined sugars
Your diet may also factor into acne.
Some of the common culprits contributing to skin concerns like acne
include:
Reducing your intake of these foods or adopting an anti-acne diet may help
ease your breakouts. If reduction doesn’t seem to help your acne flare-ups,
you can try an elimination diet to more clearly identify the cause.
10. yoga
meditation
journaling
massage
aromatherapy
exercise
Stress doesn’t cause pimples, but it may make them worse.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD),
your body produces more oil-stimulating hormones when
you’re stressed.
Some options to help manage stress include:
Try stress-busting activities