Diet? Hygiene? Genetics? Stress?
The illusive cause of acne…which is it?
First of all, there are many types of acne, many types of skin, many lifestyle differences between each of us and therefore many differeing causes of acne.
Some people notice that breakouts are worse after eating a particular food. For some it’s fried food. For others chocolate. Caffeine could be a culprit for some while milk seems to aggravate other’s skin problems. These are just examples, but they might be worth testing. If there is some sort of food or drink that might be affecting your acne, then cut back on that substance for a few weeks and see if you notice a difference in skin breakouts.
Although many of us break out during stressful times, stress is not a direct cause of acne. It is true that some types of stress can cause your body to produce a hormone called cortisol, which can irritate existing acne however. Indirectly, some medication that we take to alleviate or control extreme stress or depression can be factors in the production of acne. In fact, many medications on the market have acne listed as a possible side effect.
Teenage hormones. Another myth. Acne is not just for teens! 25% to 30% of all people between the ages 25-45 battle acne.
There are many more myths and misguided advice regarding acne. You really have to educate yourself from reliable sources, assess that information and determine what causes your acne and what your solution to clear skin may be.