Pimple Breakout

Pimple Breakout

So, what causes acne? Mainly the overproduction of oil; blocked hair follicles that don’t allow the aforementioned oil to leave the pore, which often results in a clogged pore; and the growth of bacteria inside the hair follicles called P. acnes. However, along with the above factors and genetics, which plays a role in how your body reacts to different hormones in your body and can cause acne, there are certain patterns you could be repeating on a daily basis that can cause you to break out or can even exacerbate your already annoying issue. Here are some of the most surprising triggers — take heed, acne-prone people!

You’re eating spicy foods. Spicy foods often contain tomatoes and peppers, which contain acidic lycopene that can be an irritant to some people, throwing off their skin’s pH levels and triggering breakouts. However, it isn’t just spicy foods that can irritate your skin. Some people have an aversion to dairy, bread or other types of foods — how your skin reacts to what you eat just depends on your own personal make-up.

What you can do differently: Take a break from eating spicy foods (or whatever you’ve been eating a lot of that you think could be contributing to your acne — if your skin is irritated by a certain ingredient, you’ll recognize tiny whiteheads or even blemishes in a rash-like pattern around your chin or mouth) for a month to see if that’s the cause of your issue.

You’re using products that contain pore-clogging ingredients. Mineral oil is a super-heavy moisturizing agent found in some lotions, but it’s also known to clog your pores and break you out. Silicones in skin care and cosmetics are also another ingredient on the list to watch out for that can clog your pores.

What you can do differently: Make sure all the skin care products you’re using are labelled “non comedogenic,” which means your makeup or skin care has been specifically formulated not to clog your pores. That said, even if the product is “non comedogenic,” if you’re using it continuously and your breakouts continue to get worse, make an appointment with your dermatologist, as you could be allergic to another ingredient in the product that is causing your issues.

Overusing topical salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or sulphur over-the-counter treatments can dry out your skin, causing it to produce more oil and possibly blemishes. Those ingredients can actually make the appearance of your pimples look worse, since the active ingredients can slightly burn the top layer of your skin if used too often, making the pimple appear even redder and harder to conceal than if you had just left it alone.