Wondering why your skin is breaking out even though you’re well past your teens and shouldn’t have to deal with breakouts on a regular basis? We know this feeling… but the good news is that you can control it if you understand the cause. Here are five of the most common acne triggers and tips for managing them:

Chronic stress: Acne is one of the first signs of a chronically stressful lifestyle. Adult acne is especially common among women, who are twice as likely to suffer from intense stress and anxiety as men. Chronic stress triggers an increase in stress-related hormones, which cause your skin’s sebaceous (oil) glands to become overactive and slow cell turnover, creating the ideal conditions for acne breakouts. Stressed skin also tends to look tired, uneven and prematurely aged.

The fix: To reduce the effects of stress on the skin, start with deep, slow breathing, which helps reduce tension and anxiety. As you progress toward a less stressful lifestyle, incorporate preventative measures into your skincare routine, such as weekly exfoliation and masking to help reduce congestion.

Hormonal fluctuations: Research has linked the sebaceous glands to the endocrine system, calling the former the “brains of the skin.” Stress plays a big role when it comes to hormones. When the body produces excessive amounts of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, the adrenal glands produce less progesterone, a natural anti-anxiety substance. This hormonal change can cause an internal imbalance that can lead to breakouts.

The fix: It can be helpful to know when you experience breakouts. If you notice a regular pattern, such as post-period breakouts or regularly stressful encounters, talk to a skin therapist to learn how to adjust your skin care routine accordingly. If you are pregnant, menopausal or have a medical problem, talk to your doctor.

Environmental factors: From smoggy cities to humid summers, your skin can break out when exposed to certain types of pollution, weather conditions, and seasonal changes. It’s important to modify your routine to meet your skin’s changing needs.

The fix: Exfoliation is an effective way to defend the skin against breakouts by removing dull, dead skin cells. We love it Daily Milkfoliant – a soothing oatmeal-based powder exfoliant that smoothes and soothes skin. Daily Superfoliant is a highly active resurfacer that helps combat environmental triggers known to accelerate skin aging.

UV exposure: UV rays dehydrate the skin, which can cause it to produce too much oil – so the skin ends up becoming even oilier, causing breakouts.

The fix: Using the wrong sunscreen can clog pores, making acne and breakouts worse, so make sure you invest in the right sunscreen to give your skin all the protection without all the drama.

Life habits: Smoking, not cleaning well, wearing tight or itchy clothes, taking certain medications: all lifestyle habits can affect the severity of rashes. Some makeup, hair care, and skin care products may also contain pore-clogging ingredients that can trigger or exacerbate acne.

The fix: To help keep pores clear, cleanse twice daily with Pre-cleaning And Special Cleansing Gel.

For more information, visit Dermalogical.

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