The Truth About Pimples: How Do We Get Them?
Pimples are the bane of many people’s existence. They can come seemingly out of nowhere, and they seem impossible to get rid of! We’ve all tried different pimple remedies – but what if it’s not just your skin that’s causing the problem? Instead, what if the culprit behind your pimples is something in your diet? Fortunately, this is one truth about pimples that we can all put our minds at ease about!
Hormones Cause Acne
Hormones play a role in acne development and hormone fluctuations during puberty causes a surge in androgen, causing excess oil production and outbreaks. For some, acne problems can linger into adulthood; for others, it seems to disappear. Hormones don’t completely explain acne, though. Skin pores may be open because of excess dead skin cells that have built up on skin’s surface. Many beauty products like makeup or fragrances also contribute to excessive sebum secretion or block pores, resulting in blemishes. What’s more—your pillowcase may also be adding to your problem! A dirty pillowcase that clings to your skin as you sleep is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria to grow upon overnight.
Stress Makes Acne Worse
Acne occurs when sebum (oil produced by skin glands) and dead skin cells clog up pores. If you live a stressful life, your body produces an excess of cortisol, a hormone that triggers breakouts in acne-prone people. When exposed to heat or sunlight, these lesions are more likely to turn into pimples—which is why stress can make acne worse. Controlling stress levels can help prevent or treat breakouts, making it a natural remedy for many who battle acne problems. Before anything else, do your best to relax—you’ll feel better overall as well as look better on your next date!
Poor Diet and Lack of Exercise Can Cause Acne
The foods you eat and how much you exercise can affect your skin in a variety of ways. Not only can poor diet and lack of exercise cause acne, but also getting too little sleep and using certain medications. Don’t make these mistakes that could lead to more breakouts! Eat a clean diet that avoids processed junk food. Exercise regularly (and smartly), get enough sleep, and avoid any medication that could worsen your acne. If you want to know what I mean by clean diet, check out my post on eating paleo for healthier skin!
You Can Control Your Skin Care Routine
You might be quick to blame your mother for your love of pimple-inducing foods or to blame your genetics for giving you super-sensitive skin, but neither of these things are true. Skin type and skin care routine go hand in hand. You see, our skin is actually a dynamic organ that’s constantly renewing itself from deep within our bodies. The oils and bacteria that live inside us eventually bubble up to create visible pores on our surface—and how they react to what we put on them is what causes breakouts, dryness, or other issues. We can control our oil production levels with food choices and exercise routines; and we can control over-production with daily cleansers and moisturizers. All it takes is practice! Use any good moisturizer three times a day.
The Best Way to Deal With Acne is Preventive Maintenance
If you’re always breaking out and suffering from acne, then I’ve got great news for you! Keeping your skin clean is, in fact, a great way to prevent acne. At any time, our skin contains dead cells and sweat that get mixed together, resulting in clogged pores. Doing facial cleanses at least once a day helps to prevent these impurities from being stuck to your face for too long, preventing pimples before they even form. Also try switching to natural products like coconut oil or olive oil as part of your cleansing routine to avoid adding chemicals and harmful agents into your pores.
Conclusion
Though we may sometimes feel like our skin is a life-ruining burden, there’s no reason to sit back and allow acne to dictate your self-esteem. The key to clear skin is through consistency, but different steps will work for different people. No matter what your situation, chances are there’s something you can do about it. Whether you want to try over-the-counter remedies or natural treatments (or some combination of both), just find something that works for you and stick with it—your skin will thank you for it!
Acne affects nearly everyone at one point in their lives, though our experiences with it vary wildly. Some of us have pimples on occasion; others struggle daily with blemishes and clogged pores. Still others have permanent scarring as a result of their condition. If you suffer from severe cystic acne and seek professional help, or if your acne causes physical pain that interferes with your quality of life, consult a dermatologist as soon as possible to determine if any underlying medical conditions are present.