There are many factors that can trigger a breakout but there are only four main causes of acne.
Increased keratinization within the follicle [build-up dead skin]
Increased sebum production
Proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes [P. acne bacteria]
Inflammation
Hormonal changes, stress, and certain foods may worsen acne but not create it. One common myth is that “certain food causes acne”. This is not true. Although eating habits do affect our bodies’ functions, it’s the iodides in salt, MSG, processed and packaged foods; especially fast foods can irritate acne—not cause it. Eating fresh vegetables and fruits and increasing water intake help those with acne experience fewer breakouts. Water is always a good way of flushing out toxic from our body. Friction from rubbing or touching the face like phone use, can contribute to acne breakouts. Dirty pillows or makeup brushes can transfer bacteria to the face; as well as, sharing makeup with friends or family and dirty hygiene habits also develops bacteria. Always keep your hand and items that touches the face clean and this will help keep your skin from breaking out.
Hormones are the common trigger of all factors. Androgens, a male hormone, stimulate the sebaceous [oil] glands, and a high level of this hormone testosterone cause an increase in oil production. In the 1st trimester of pregnancy, women have more testosterone, making breakouts common. Adult acne is most common in females, and hormonal influences like birth control pills can lead to acne inflammations. Hormonal acne is often seen on the chin.
Bacteria trapped in our skin follicles are also bad and will cause acne. When follicles are trapped with oil and dead skin build-up, oxygen cannot reach the bottom of the follicle, --resulting in bacteria growth. Because bacteria cannot live in the presence of oxygen, proper exfoliation will minimize sebum buildup and aid in reducing bacteria. Certain ingredients in products like makeup or skin care can also aggravate acne. Fatty ingredients such as waxes and oils can clog pores causing more comedones [white or blackheads]. Products rich in emollients are too heavy for problem skin types. Researching the products before you invest your money, time and “experiment” on your own skin can be costly in the long run as well as emotionally heartbreaking. It’s most wise and better to get your skin analyze by a well educated, licensed skin therapist. Most spas will offer free consultation and skin analysis on the first visit. Caution! If a spa does not offer an analysis on your visit, most chances are, they are not result oriented and you should not be there. If you don’t have the time or the money for any spa or doctor visits, pick up a good skin typing book at your local library. My favorite is, “The Skin Type Solution” by Leslie Baumann, M.D.
It’s important to have skin care products that are Hypoallergenic and Noncomedogenic that will not clog your pores. Always read and do your research on active ingredients. Also, just because the more expensive the product is, DOES NOT, and I stress over the “DOES NOT”, mean that it will works better. Most of the time, the products that you buy at the high end department store, you can get at target for less than $20. I’m going to let you in on a secret; the FDA categorizes all skin care products from department stores to mass retailer like target to be “over the counter”. That means, those products can only have up to 5% of “active ingredients”, and the rest is made up of ingredients that helps the product slip-n-slide on the surface of your face. Look for key ingredients that will aid in helping your skin when buying into new products.
Ask yourself, whether it's a product that's retail $10,$20, $50 or even $150, what am I paying to put on my face? Am I paying $__ for slip-n-slide product like carbomer [Thickening agents] that's just sitting on the surface of my face or am I paying $__ for key ingredient like active enzyme that works with my skin. Knowing the key ingredients is knowing the product cost worth.
Here are some suggestions for ingredients that will help in reducing breakouts.
Vitamin A. A natural vitamin for skin. Physiologically stimulates new cell production; clears up acne impactions and the skin.
Benzyl peroxide. This is a drying ingredient with antibacterial properties commonly used for blemishes and acne. Releases free radical oxygen that kills the bacteria, sterilizes the follicle, and stops the irritating effects of the bacteria; it also irrigated and sloughs out acne impactions. Use with cautions. I like to use for spot treating a pimple rather than all over use because Benzyl peroxide can be drying. However, Benzyl peroxide is great for back acne and ingrowths hair. My favorite is Epicuren Benzyl Peroxide mask.
Beta hydroxyl acids. [salicylic acid, and lactic acids] slough old cells and keep pores opens; not as strong as AHAs because BHA has bigger molecules, but effective when used alone and great for sensitive skin.
Salicylic acid has exfoliating and antiseptic properties, a natural sources of salicylic acid is sweet birch, willow bark, and wintergreen. Aspirins are made from wintergreen and some have used crush aspirins for a mask. [I like this idea, but if you are going to use it in this form, please be caution, because some medical company used fillers in their pills and it can cause a reaction on the skin. Make sure you are using a pure powder form and as always, ask your doctor if you are allergy to wintergreen or willow bark ]
Yogurt. You wouldn’t think that the stuff you eat for breakfast would help your acne, but it works wonderfully! Since yogurt is made of milk, and milk is lactic acids, using yogurt as a weekly mask will help exfoliate the skin. It’ll reduce the sebum on the skin leaving it feeling fresh with a healthy glow. My favorite is Greek yogurt from Trader Joe because it has just the right thickness for the mask. I also like to pair this mask up with a honey mask afterward. The honey gives my face the hydration it needs. Plus eating some yogurt with blueberries during the treatment is not a bad idea also :-D
Tea Tree. Soothing and antiseptic, tea tree has anti-fungal properties and is used in many products. I LOVE tea tree as a toner or to spot treat a pimple. Look for Tea Tree that is 100% pure and is from Australia. You can find Tea Tree at any Trader Joes.
Witch hazel. Extracted from the bark of the hamanelis shrub, witch hazel can be a soothing agent or in higher concentrations, an astringent.
Great Herbs to use as an antiseptic are peppermint, tea tree, clove and mint tea leaves.
