Living With Acne: Causes, Prevention, & Managing [Infographic]

Embarrassing zits can affect anyone—from teenagers to adults. However, if your skin is repeatedly affected by blemishes, you may have acne. While acne is not a serious health condition, it can have a profound impact on your self-esteem and social life. Over time, it can even cause permanent physical scarring.

Fortunately, acne can be treated successfully and kept under control. Here’s a closer look at the possible causes of acne and some lifestyle changes that could lead to clearer skin.

What Is Acne?

Acne is a common inflammatory skin condition that occurs when hair follicles under the skin become clogged by sebum (oil), bacteria, and/or dead skin cells. This can cause several types of lesions called pimples, which can be found almost anywhere on the body, including the face, chest, back, neck, and shoulders. The severity of acne can range from blackheads and whiteheads to cysts and other severe inflammatory lesions that can be painful, including:

• Pustules
• Papules
• Nodules

Acne mainly affects teenagers and young adults due to hormonal changes from puberty. In some cases, individuals can develop acne for the first time as adults. For some adults, acne can continue well into their 30s, 40s, and even 50s.

Six Possible Causes of Acne

There are many myths surrounding the causes of acne. For example, many people believe that consuming sugary and fatty foods such as chocolate and fries can contribute to pimples. However, while there is no scientific support for such claims, there are certain risk factors for developing acne, which includes the following:

1. Genetics: Skin type is hereditary; therefore, if your parents had acne, you are more likely to develop the inflammatory skin condition, too.

• Hormones: Fluctuating hormones are common during puberty and pregnancy, which can cause oil glands to produce more sebum. Overproduction of oil can clog hair follicles, which may lead to breakouts.

• Medications: Some prescription medications may cause or worsen acne. These include oral or injected steroids, birth control pills, and drugs containing testosterone and lithium.

• Stress: While stress does not directly cause acne, it can worsen existing blemishes. It could also cause oil glands to produce more sebum, which may result in clogged pores.

• Cosmetics: Oily makeup and personal care products, such as heavy lotions and hair waxes, may cause blemishes. For this reason, be sure to use non-comedogenic (non-pore blocking) products and remove makeup regularly.

• Diet: Some studies indicate that consuming certain foods may aggravate acne. For example, refined carbohydrates and sugary foods, such as chips and bread, can cause inflammation and increase sebum production.

Lifestyle Changes for Clearer Skin

With modern advances in dermatology, acne can be treated successfully. For individuals with severe acne, a dermatologist can prescribe antibiotics and topicals to reduce breakouts. The following lifestyle changes also contribute to clearer skin:

• Cleanse skin. Keeping your skin clean helps reduce oil and bacteria. Be sure to cleanse your skin after wearing makeup and after a workout. Pat dry instead of rubbing harshly.

• Decrease stress. Catching more z’s can help lower stress and prevent the release of cortisol—a hormone that causes inflammation. Practicing yoga, meditating, exercising, and journaling also help reduce stress and pesky breakouts.

• Use sunscreen. Protecting your skin from the sun is vital since it can help reduce further sun damage, scarring, and discoloration. Wearing sunscreen is especially important for those who are taking acne medications that make the skin sensitive to sunburn. Consider using a non-comedogenic, oil-free formula with an SPF of 30 or more.

Acne can be incredibly frustrating and painful, but it can be combatted with the right treatment strategy and patience. To learn more about the causes and prevention of this common skin condition, see the accompanying infographic below.