Tired of showing up in public with an unexpected zit on your face? If you’re experiencing acne out of the blue, there’s bound to be a reason. Here are nine reasons your skin may be acting up, plus zit-zapping solutions to fix your breakout woes.
1. You are stressed beyond measure.
When life is hard and your anxiety is through the roof, your complexion may start acting up too. Stress hormones like cortisol trigger the overproduction of a natural oil called sebum. Too much sebum clogs the pores, creating the perfect environment for acne bacteria.
Breakout fix: Make time for self-care.
Beat stress-related zits through yoga, watching a feel-good show, or curling up with a book. Do whatever it takes to calm those nerves.
2. Your skin and hair products are to blame.
The ingredients in any new cosmetics, hair-styling products, and sunscreens could be causing those breakouts. Mineral oils, fragrances, and sulphates are some common culprits. Even coconut oil could be a trigger.
Breakout fix: Choose products wisely.
Look for products that are labelled ‘non-comedogenic’ or ‘non-acnegenic’. Such formulas do not clog the pores, which helps keep pimples at bay.
3. Your skin and hair products are to blame.
The ingredients in any new cosmetics, hair-styling products, and sunscreens could be causing those breakouts. Mineral oils, fragrances, and sulphates are some common culprits. Even coconut oil could be a trigger.
Breakout fix: Try a minimalist approach.
Simplify your skincare regimen with Clearica Anti-Acne Cleanser and Clearica Anti-Acne Cream. The Clearica extract tackles acne and its symptoms but is also gentle on your skin.
4. You are not drinking enough water.
Why is your face breaking out in little bumps? Dehydration could be a factor. Not drinking enough water leaves the skin cells parched, which could bump up oil production. You don’t want that because greasy skin is prone to acne.
Breakout fix: Up your water intake.
Keep a glass of water at your desk and sip from it throughout the day. Some smartphone apps will also remind you to drink water from time to time.
5. Your sleep schedule is out of whack.
If a heavy workload, an active social life, or even just doomscrolling on the phone are keeping you up late, the lack of sleep could show on your skin. Unexpected bumps and blemishes may well be signs that you need to snooze more. (Discover how late nights wreak havoc on your skin.)
Breakout fix: Get your eight hours of sleep.
Sufficient sleep improves blood circulation and skin cell repair, which is great for beating acne.
6. Your skin is reacting to irritants.
All kinds of things could break you out, right from smoking and something you ate to a new laundry detergent. Face masks were such a trigger during the pandemic that the term ‘maskne’ was coined. Even something as basic as shaving could leave you with nasty little bumps.
Breakout fix: Identify your acne triggers.
If your skin is not usually acne-prone, consider if friction, a change in lifestyle and diet, or some new product might be the cause.
7. Your hormones are acting up.
Skin breaking out during pregnancy and through the menstrual cycle is a common problem. Hormonal fluctuations bump up oil production by the sebaceous glands, leaving you with unsightly and uncomfortable blemishes that won’t go away.
Breakout fix: Speak with a doctor.
Hormonal acne is hard to treat with over-the-counter formulas. A dermatologist may suggest prescription-strength medication or contraceptives to ease your acne.
8. You can’t stop touching your face.
Pimple popping is a bad idea, but so is running your fingers over the blemishes. By doing so, you risk moving dirt and acne bacteria to unblemished skin. Cell phone use and sleeping on dirty pillowcases could also aggravate the issue.
Breakout fix: Minimise contact with the zits.
Resist the urge to touch and pick at the bumps on your face. Also, give your smartphone a good wipe-down daily and change your bedlinen at least weekly.
9. If the heat and humidity levels are higher than what you are used to, you will sweat more, oil production will go up, and you may notice new pimples. Some people develop acne during the winter months when dry skin triggers more sebum production.
Breakout fix: Show your skin some love.
Make sure to rinse off the sweat when the weather is warm. If it’s too cold and dry, don’t scrimp on moisturizer.
Not acne? Check with your dermatologist
If your face is breaking out in hives or rashes, acne care may not solve the issue. Set an appointment with your dermatologist and get their informed opinion. Sometimes, you need an expert to point you towards the right treatment plan.
Disclaimer: This page is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a recommendation or for diagnostic purposes. Please consult your dermatologist or doctor before acting on any of the information provided here.