Stuck with Bad Acne?

Anyone who’s ever had to live with pimples—from the occasional breakout to persistent bad acne—has probably wondered the same thing: what causes those dreadful blemishes in the first place?

After all, we figure, doesn’t knowing the root of the problem mean we can remove the cause, therefore banishing breakouts once and for all?

If only it were that easy.

Everyone’s life is different. That means that the triggers for that big bad acne actually vary from person to person. In other words, the things that aggravate your skin might not do anything to your best friend (and vice versa).

But there is hope for those looking to figure out what is causing their own personal bout with bad acne. Certain causes of acne are seen over and over again; meaning that you might just be able to narrow down (and eliminate) some things that are causing those pimples after all. Among the things most guilty of bringing on zits are …

Hormones!

This is the number one reason why so many teenagers are struggling with bad acne. Any time your body’s hormone levels change, your glands go into overdrive. Among those over eager glands are the sebaceous glands—the ones that produce oil. When they’re making too much oil, it clogs up follicles on your skin creating the blackheads (or white heads) that eventually turn into those nasty blemishes. And don’t think that puberty is the only culprit of hormone induced acne, either. PMS, pregnancy, menopause and any number of other factors could be kicking that acne into high gear.

Makeup!

There is a whole category of bad acne (acne cosmetica) that’s caused simply by your face’s reaction to certain cosmetics and beauty products. If you think your foundation, eye shadow or facial lotion might be behind your breakouts, switch brands right away. Also, make sure your makeup says non-comedogenic on the label. That means it’s oil free, and is less likely to clog your pores.

Stress!

It’s no secret that stress and bad acne go hand in hand. Any time your life is hectic, you’re going to face the possibility of a nasty breakout. Make sure you take some time out each day (even if it’s just a few minutes) to relax and do something you enjoy. Your complexion will thank you for it.

Medicine!

Finally, there are quite a few medications on the market that could be the culprit of your bad acne issues. Birth control pills, anticonvulsants (seizure medications) and certain other meds all list acne as a possible side effect. If you think your Rx might be causing your breakouts, talk to your doc about the possibility of switching to a different version. However, it’s essential that you continue taking your prescription according to your doctor’s orders. You can always go see a dermatologist as well, who will help you find a system to combat the acne.

There are dozens of different factors that could be contributing to your skin drama. The real key is finding which triggers are affecting you the most, and then moving on to a skin care routine that tackles those issues.