Acne is a skin condition that affects more than half of the world population and leads to insecurities and lower self-esteem issues. Most of the times, you do not even understand what the problem is, which makes this skin condition even worse. Therefore, we have the top reasons as to why you might be getting acne breakouts.

1.   Consuming Too Much Spicy Food

Spicy foods are made with peppers and tomatoes, which have acidic lycopene in them that cause irritations and imbalance the pH levels of the skin leading to breakouts. However, not just spicy food can lead to breakouts. Some people can get breakouts because of bread, dairy, and other types of skin. Keep in mind that every person reacts to certain foods differently, therefore, you should never compare would situation with anyone. Focus on eating fresh fruits and vegetables as much as you can as they contain water and beneficial nutrients that are important to you.

2.   Check the Products You Are Using

There are many lotions that contain mineral oil because it is a “super-heavy moisturizing agent,” but what you do not know is that it can clog pores that lead to breakouts. Another ingredient that you need to avoid putting on your skin are silicone based products. Similar to mineral oils, silicones can cause breakouts as well. If you want to maintain clear skin, you will need to look for products that clearly say “non-comedogenic” as these products will not clog and they will prevent breakouts. If you have Proactive acne, read more.

3.   Stop Smoking

Every time you smoke a cigarette, you are lowering the amount of oxygen that is supposed to go on your face. Not only are you exposing yourself to cancer, but you are also lessening the collagen and elastin present in your skin. Collagen and elastin have the ability to prevent large pores and wrinkles, therefore, the carcinogens in a cigarette eliminate these two vital skin properties. The more you smoke, the more breakouts will occur. Try to avoid smoking as much as you can so you can live a healthier life and have clear skin.

4.   You Might Be Over-Scrubbing

People that have acne-prone skin think that scrubbing their face with rough exfoliants (crushed apricot seeds), hard washcloths, or cleaning brushes, assume that their skin will become flawless. However, it has the opposite effect on it. When they do this the bacteria from the acne spread all over the skin, making the condition even worse. You need to find the right facial cleanser for your skin so you can prevent acne from happening again. Make sure you are aware of your skin type as every facial cleanser has a different job.

5.   Picking Pimples Triggers More to Grow

As tempting as it may be, do not pick on your pimples. Picking on your pimples will most likely leave a red mark that will turn into an acne scar. The worst part about “playing dermatologist” is that when you are trying to squeeze the puss out of the pore, there is a chance that you are making it go deeper into your skin. When the bacterium spreads underneath the skin layer, there is a chance that you will get more pimples. The best way to prevent yourself from touching your pimples is by challenging yourself. If you keep your hands off your face you will not only see a reduction in your pimples, but you will see how your complexion is getting better.

6.   Release All Stress

It is true that stress causes acne. The more you stress out, the more pimples you will have and ultimately you will be stuck in a vicious cycle. When you are stressing, your skin will begin to create stress hormones that include cortisol. Cortisol will stimulate the production of oil glands so they can make testosterone. This will make your skin excessively oily and clog your pores. In order to prevent this from happening, you must make sure you are meditating, working out daily, and taking time out for yourself. All this will allow you to release stress so your body does not keep generating these harmful hormones.