A surprising number of reasons can cause problem skin and prevent you from achieving a clear, pimple-free complexion. From lifestyle habits to dehydrated skin, hormone changes, blocked pores and the ingredients in your skincare products, there are many factors to take into consideration when you’re trying to get to the bottom of what is causing your breakouts.
Keep reading to discover the most common causes of breakouts and what you can do to prevent your skin from flaring up in the future.
STRESS
Technically stress doesn’t cause breakouts, but it does cause a hormonal imbalance. Stress causes the body to release cortisol which stimulates the oil glands to go into overdrive which can lead to blocked pores and problem skin.
HOW TO AVOID IT
In today’s fast-paced world, it is pretty impossible to avoid stress but being aware of when you’re going through a stressful time and taking extra care of your skin can help you manage flare-ups. Using a cleanser with salicylic acid can help, as well as making self-care a priority.
This could be through sticking to your workout routine, meditation, deep breathing or binge-watching your favourite reality TV show. Taking time out and showing yourself some self-love will help to lower your stress levels and have a direct effect on your overall skin health.
SKIPPING YOUR PM SKINCARE ROUTINE
Dirt particles, pollution and oil naturally accumulate on the surface of the skin throughout the day, as well as makeup if you wear it. By skipping your evening skincare routine and not washing your face, you’re creating a hotbed for bacteria to grow which means you’re more likely to experience blocked pores, inflammation, irritation and breakouts.
HOW TO AVOID IT
Make your evening skincare routine so simple that you don’t have an excuse to skip it. You don’t need to use hundreds of products, just a good quality cleanser, hyaluronic acid and moisturiser.
If you wear makeup, we suggest double cleansing and if you have an oily complexion, you could try using a salicylic acid cleaner which helps to break down oil without leaving the skin feeling dry and tight.
DEHYDRATED SKIN
Dehydration is one of the leading causes of problem skin. Common causes of dry skin include the environment we live in, not drinking enough water, air-conditioning and sun exposure, as well as using intense spot and acne treatments. When the skin is dehydrated it is likely to compensate by producing more oil which creates ideal conditions for blemishes and breakouts.
HOW TO AVOID IT
Use good quality hydrating products in your morning and evening skincare routine such as a hyaluronic acid and moisturiser and add a sheet mask like our Ultra Hydro Plumping Mask into your routine at least twice a week.
Suitable for all skin types, this mask deeply hydrates the surface and deeper layers of the skin and provides long lasting hydration. If your skin is very oily, try using oil-free, gel-based products that are easily absorbed into the skin.
OVER-EXFOLIATING
Although exfoliating is needed to de-clog pores and remove the impurities that build up on the surface of the skin throughout the day, over-exfoliating can cause the skin to become inflamed and irritated. Using harsh exfoliators can aggravate current breakouts and damage the skin barrier function which can trigger even more breakouts.
HOW TO AVOID IT
Only exfoliate twice a week and always use a good quality exfoliator that’s made with premium ingredients instead of gritty face scrubs. Depending on your skin type, you could also try using a mild chemical exfoliant such as lactic acid, salicylic acid and glycolic acid.
NOT CLEANSING AFTER A WORKOUT
Leaving post-workout sweat sitting on your skin can lead to a build-up of dirt, oil and bacteria. This is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, as well as being one of the leading causes of blocked pores.
HOW TO AVOID IT
Before your exercise, be sure to remove your makeup and as soon as you finish your workout, wash your face thoroughly with a gentle cleanser. If you forget to take your cleanser to the gym with you, rinse your face with warm water as this helps to break down oil and sweat on the skin.
PICKING YOUR PIMPLES
We know how tempting it can be to pick and pop your whiteheads and blackheads but by doing do, you risk pushing the bacteria deeper into your pores and causing even more congestion and inflammation. Every time you touch your skin with your fingers, you’re risking transferring dirt and bacteria onto your face and into your pores.
HOW TO AVOID IT
Avoid touching your face as much as possible and make your skincare routine a priority. Seeing results from your skincare can encourage you to refrain from touching and squeezing your face. If you’re experiencing a flare-up, we suggest treating your skin to our Instant Rescue Purifying Mask. This mask features a high concentration of allantoin which gently calms and soothes irritated skin and it also helps to reduce inflammation.