Top 5 Causes of Acne (And What You Can Do About Them)

Although acne is very common – people of all races, gender, and age experience acne at least at some point of their lives, it is more common amongst teenagers and young adults.

Acne is caused by the overproduction of oil and blocked hair follicles, resulting in clogged pores, and growth of bacteria inside the hair follicles.

However, aside from these genetic factors, your day-to-day pattern also plays a big role on why your skin’s constantly breaking out.

Here are 5 triggers that causes acne, and how you can treat them.

1) You workout

There are numerous factors that causes the skin to breakout when you workout.

Sweat on its own doesn’t cause breakouts, but it can mix with oils in your pores that can eventually lead to acne. Friction can also aggravate acne, so make sure to wear loose-fitting clothes made up of natural fabrics. Synthetic fabrics like nylon usually rubs against the skin, traps sweat, and clogs the pores.

When showering after a workout, use a body wash with salicylic acid to keep pores clean.

2) You’re using laundry detergents

Laundry detergents and dryer sheets can irritate the skin, especially for people with sensitive skin. Instead, swap your usual detergent to something that is fragrance-free, and skip the dryer sheets.

3) You don’t get enough sleep

Not getting enough sleep can inflict stress on the body, increasing its cortisol or “stress hormone” levels, and causing breakouts. As much as you can, aim for at least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night.

We’ve shared a few tips on how you can get your much needed rest, on our previous post here – https://ivoryaesthetics.com/5-simple-ways-incorporate-wellness-busy-schedule/

4) You don’t regularly change your sheets

Yes, bed linens accumulate dirt very quickly! Make sure to wash and change your sheets at least every 2 weeks, including your pillowcases and towels.

5) You go to bed with makeup on

Going to bed with makeup hinders the skin from regenerating the next day. It traps dirt and dead skin cells, clogging the pores, and leading to chronic inflammation in the form of pimples.

If you’re too tired to go through your entire nighttime skincare routine, remove your makeup off at least with a cleaning wipe.

If you’d like to have your skin checked and analyzed by our experts, you may speak to us on 04 451 5554. We’ll schedule a date for your skin consultation, and provide you with a carefully-tailored skincare plan.