During the teenage years, I think everyone has had that thing called acne. It was there with you and it always made sure that it never left. You waited for your 20s because everyone told you that it will be better.Newsflash: your skin still has pimples and it’s even worse.Your confidence drops hard and you don’t know what to do.
“But I have intense skincare which has prescribed by a specialist, how does it get worse and worse?”.I’m here to tell you that you’re not alone and many of us still struggle with acne and our skin looks like the skin of a 12-year-old who has just hit puberty.I’m also here to tell you that this is not a dead-end. You can totally get over this, but first of all, we must analyze the core of the problem. With that being said…
…what actually causes acne?
Basically, it’s all about clogged pores. Pores have sebaceous glands, which secrete sebum (that oily thing from your face and hair). But if it’s just that, you will be fine, but add to this recipe dirt, bacteria and dead skin cells and there you have it! The pimple!
This is the classic reason why people get pimples, but it’s not the only one.
Some people (including me) struggle to maintain their skin pimple-free and their journey is much more difficult.
There are other lesser-known acne causes that are relevant, especially during this pandemic:
1. Stress
Stress is a crucial factor when it comes to everything if you ask me. Stress does every possible negative thing to you, so it shouldn’t be a surprise when I talk about what it does to your skin. The hormone cortisol does that to you. When you’re stressed, your body has lots of it and it starts messing up with your skin.
2. Hormones
I’ve previously mentioned the hormone cortisol as an important factor when it comes to stress, but hormonal fluctuations are responsible as well. Hormones such as progesterone and testosterone increase sebum production and the latter plays a role in the appearance of acne in both genders.
3. Pollution
The environment where we live is very important as well. If you live in a large city, where pollution is flourishing, chances are that your skin will suffer as well. I’ve had this problem when I moved to a bigger city. My skin was messed up and I looked like I had chickenpox instead of acne.
4. Junk food
While this isn’t a general truth when it comes to everyone, it still affects the skin of many, many people. Food like chocolate, dairy, or fried foods can really mess up your skin in some cases, but this can be decided with a specialist and then you’ll be told if you should make changes in your diet.
5. Not using the right products
When it comes to your skin, you should always do what’s best for it. It’s important to use the right products for your skin and, if you don’t want to risk it, it’s better if you visit a dermatologist and then he/she’ll tell you what to use in order to make your skin smooth and shiny.
How can I cure acne?
1. Look for these ingredients in your products:
– Salicylic acid: It is a crucial ingredient when it comes to skincare. The good thing is that it can be found in almost every product and that it does wonders for your skin. Find it in these products:
– Azelaic acid: It is a stronger acid that cleans the bumps that are under your skin. I don’t recommend using anything azelaic acid-based unless it’s prescribed by a specialist.
2. Medication
If you have very bad acne, you should resort to medication, which consists of either antibiotics or medication that manipulate your hormones.
The most important thing with acne is that while you think that it’s the end of the world, with the right specialists and the right treatment, it will heal. Having it is a total dread, but the good side is that skincare will have a greater place for you, which is cool!
