What Causes Acne and How to Manage Acne-Prone Skin?

Blackheads appear as black dots. They appear black as a result of the pimple being open and the skin oils oxidizing in the air.

Whiteheads are closed pimples that are filled with pus.

Pustules are similar to whiteheads, but are inflamed and therefore red at their base.

Cysts contain pus, are painful and deeper in the skin, meaning they often scar when they heal.

Nodules are hard, large, and painful bumps that appear deeper in the skin.

Papules are small hard bumps that often arise in groups on your skin.

Acne is very common in teenagers because puberty involves changes in hormones. During puberty, sex hormones called androgens are stimulated, and this can lead to an overproduction of sebum oil, causing follicles to become blocked.

The same is true for women during their menstrual cycle and pregnancy when many hormonal changes take place, including an increase in androgens.

Additionally, as women get older, their estrogen levels naturally decline whilst testosterone (an androgen) levels increase. This can result in larger pores and more skin oils that can lead to acne flare-ups.

Your diet might also impact your skin. While there are still debates around the relationship between diet and acne, some studies suggest that certain foods can worsen acne. These include foods with a high glycemic index, such as white bread, fries, cakes, sugary foods, dairy, processed meat, and refined grains. If you have acne-prone skin, you may want to reduce these foods in your diet. 

Similarly, some studies indicate that eating more foods with omega-3 fatty acids, like oily fish, could benefit your skin as can probiotics - such as those found in yogurt.

There may be a link between family history of acne and your likelihood to develop this skin condition. Research suggests that having a parent who had acne increases your risk of developing acne at a younger age, especially if both parents had acne.

A history of acne on your mother’s side appears to be a more important indicator of your risk of getting acne earlier, compared with acne on your father’s side.

Some medications can cause acne as a side effect. These include some birth control pills, corticosteroids, lithium, and barbiturates. If you think your acne may be caused by your medication you should speak to your doctor.

It’s well understood that smoking is bad for your health, but did you realize that it could also harm your skin? Some studies have found a link between smoking and adults with acne.

Acne is not triggered by dirty skin. If you have acne, you may be tempted to wash your face a lot, but you should only wash your face twice a day – morning and evening – and after sweaty activities like physical exercise. Repeated washing can actually irritate the skin, leading to more breakouts.

While young adults and teenagers are more likely to get acne because of hormonal changes, it can affect people of any age. As much as one-half of women in their twenties, one-third of women in their thirties, and one-quarter of women in their forties experience acne. It’s far more common for women than men to have acne beyond their teenage years.

Waiting out acne can take years. With a proactive approach the condition is more likely to improve. The most severe forms need the help of a dermatologist and medication, while other types can be managed with acne-targeted skincare products and a good skincare regime.

While some studies suggest that diet might play a part in the severity of your acne, there isn’t enough evidence indicating that greasy food alone causes acne. 

Research suggests that sugar and not grease has more of an impact on acne. Scientists believe that this is linked to the fact that eating high-sugar foods spikes your blood sugar, which in turn can cause inflammation throughout your body. Sugar spikes can also push your body to produce more sebum. The combination of inflammation and sebum production is thought to lead to acne.

While you may want to pop your pimples, this can actually push pus and bacteria deeper into your skin, often making acne worse. So try not to squeeze any pimples!

Salicylic acid can help clear acne and prevent future breakouts – including mild breakouts, whiteheads, and blackheads – by helping to remove dead skin cells and clear clogged pores. Try Cetaphil Gentle Clear Clarifying Acne Cream Cleanser, which contains salicylic acid, soothing aloe, and white tea extract to nourish your skin.

Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing BPO Acne Cleanser contains licorice root that can help to soothe irritated skin and to reduce acne-related redness. It also contains micronized benzoyl peroxide (BPO) that kills acne-causing bacteria while being known to be less irritating than traditional BPO formulations.