Why Do I Have Acne-Prone Skin?

This is a good question. Acne-prone skin can be very oily all over the face, a combination of oily and dry skin, or sensitive skin. An oily complexion looks shiny all over because the glands produce more sebum (oil) than is needed. The shiny areas may be located only in the T-section of your face, or your skin may not like the products you are currently using, causing a breakout. There are many reasons why your skin reacts the way it does. 

Sometimes acne doesn't just appear on the face, but can also affect the chest, back, and tops of the arms. We will endeavour to unravel the main causes.

If you haven’t already, check out my article on “What is my skin type and why is it important to know this.” This will help you understand the differences in skin types.

Is There An Acne Gene?

There is no known specific acne gene that causes breakouts however, hormones can play a part in how much sebum is produced in the skin. Your main aim is to keep the skin clean so that dead cell build-up is not an issue.

The pores can become clogged when dead skin cells combine with extra sebum production. This traps bacteria in the pores resulting in a white head, a black head or a big shiny red and purple painful bump.

It’s not easy to deal emotionally with problem skin but there is a solution for you. Your natural reaction is to want to squeeze the bump to get rid of it but this only damages your skin further and can lead to scarring. Squeezing pimples can also cause the bacteria to hang around longer giving the infection more time to completely disappear and heal.

Puberty, Environment, and Other Factors Causing Acne

Reaching puberty may cause hormones to overreact and combined with excess sebum, can contribute to breakouts. You may notice this around your menstrual cycle if you are a woman or assigned female at birth. This is because your skin is more likely to produce unwanted spots on your face. In men or assigned males at birth, a reaction to the overproduction of testosterone can also cause breakouts. This may last until early adulthood. 

Other factors to consider are stress, certain types of medication, not cleaning your skin directly after a workout or the environment you are in. It could be that your work is in a restaurant where the kitchen prepares a lot of fried foods, hence there is a lot of oil around that can find its way onto your skin. Alternatively, you could work in a humid environment. Excessive humidity can also cause extra sebum production. Any and all of these can contribute to the condition of your skin.

Looking After Your Skin

If the skin is not properly cleansed, including exfoliation once or twice a week, depending on the severity of the acne, this can cause buildup that clogs the pores. This then leads to acne. If you have a severe acne problem, exfoliating is not for you. Exfoliating will only cause further irritation due to the nature of the scrubbing action.

Keeping your skin properly hydrated will reduce the size of your pores. This in turn gives you less chance of dead skin cells invading the pores and becoming infected. The more hydrated the skin is, the less likely pores will clog. A good moisturiser helps hydration of the skin by ensuring it doesn’t escape the surface. It is highly recommended to drink one to one and a half litres of water per day. More if you are doing strenuous exercise or physical work.

A healthy eating plan combined with an exercise routine will very likely improve the health of your skin. As they say, you are what you eat and if you are leaning more towards fresh fruits and vegetables and less sugar-laden and deep-fried food, it stands to reason that your skin will be healthier too.

Keep your bedding clean, especially your pillowcase. I came across this wonderful Slip silk pillowcase from Anthropolgie where the silk chosen to make these slips are considered a beauty product because they improve the radiance of your skin, not taking too much moisturiser off the face while you sleep. It also boasts less tangling of your hair and a reduction of split ends while you sleep which is a bonus. It is rather luxurious and hypoallergenic.

You may be in a situation where you need medical advice from a professional. Be proud of the fact that you are seeking the right kind of help. It is much better to do this combined with some gentle products to help reduce and get rid of acne than to suffer in silence. From my point of view, the right skin care products can go a long way to maintaining healthy skin. Medical professionals will know whether you also need medication to regulate hormones to keep them at a more stable level. This will reduce the overreaction at certain times of the month.

Top 5 Skincare Tips for Treating Acne-Prone Skin

Tip #1: Use a Gentle Cleanser.

• Wash your face at least morning and night.

• If you have had an exercise session and are sweaty, wash your face again.

• Use a gentle cleanser with ingredients like olive oil, Castille, raw honey, aloe vera, or glycerin.

• You may like to make some soap for sensitive skin. You are looking for a product that has anti-inflammatory and healing agents in it and is non-comedogenic, meaning it doesn’t clog pores.

Tip #2: Trying New Products.

• It’s always a case of holding your breath when looking for new products, wondering whether this will be the one or not.

• Use products with mild ingredients if you’re not sure how your skin will react.

• It’s sometimes worth asking for samples before you buy a bottle of cleanser or tub of moisturiser that may not be suitable for your skin type.

• Keep your routine simple with a cleanser and moisturiser in the beginning.

Tip #3: Minimise Your Time in Direct Sunlight.

• Minimising your time in direct sunlight so that it does not irritate your face is a big plus and remember to wear a hat, if possible.

• Use gentle sunscreen. One formulated for babies could be worth investigating.

• If it’s a hot day, the heat will most definitely cause your skin to flair up and lead to a breakout.  

Tip #4: Try Some Natural Acne Treatments.

• Dab some diluted Apple Cider Vinegar on the affected area or add 2 cups to your warm bath. With its anti-microbial properties, it can reduce the bacteria in the affected area. It can also balance the pH level of your skin.

• If your skin feels hot from the acne, cool it down with a block of ice wrapped in a zip-lock bag. This will keep the bacteria from the ice off your skin.

• Raw honey or Manuka honey is full of goodness and anti-inflammatory properties. Dab some on affected areas to reduce swelling. Wipe off after 5 minutes.

• Tea tree oil is another natural healer. Pour a little onto a cotton tip and dab on the affected areas.

• Limit dairy and excess sugar. If you must have chocolate, there’s no harm in that on occasion.

Tip #5: Stick To Your Treatment Plan.

• With any new routine, it’s important to give it a chance to work. I recall when my two daughters were trying new products to reduce acne and they complained after a few days that there was no difference in their skin. I asked them to persevere with the treatment and after a couple of weeks, that’s when they could start to see the difference and had fewer breakouts.

Acne may not disappear forever but you can improve the condition of your skin by being sensible. I have two young adult daughters and I still get the occasional pimple once or twice a year. Our skin doesn’t always play nice but knowing what affects it and what to avoid can make all the difference to the overall appearance of your skin.

I hope you have found these skincare tips helpful and recognise there is a way to treat acne-prone skin. I would love to hear your stories in the comments below.

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This article should be used for informative and educational purposes only and is not intended to be taken as expert advice. If you’re concerned, consult a health professional before introducing any major changes to your routine.