There’s nothing worse than feeling a breakout coming on. As soon as that small spot on your chin feels sore, you are considering staying home from school, turning down a date, or trying one more restrictive diet because of your acne. It’s even more disappointing to dream about clear skin in your 20s, only to learn that acne breakouts don’t always end on-cue. 

Puberty is history, so why won’t your skin stay clear? There may not be an obvious answer for dealing with acne, which is why we’ve put together a list of some of the most common causes we see regularly at Dermatology Center of Acadiana:

1. Your hormones may be to blame. Ever noticed that your skin problems flare when you’re especially stressed, or you start seeing zits when it’s that time of the month? Your acne may be linked to changes in your mood or menstrual cycle. Both involve the production of higher levels or cortisol or testosterone, which, unfortunately, is just enough to bring on a breakout. 
2. Your products are clogging your pores. Harmful chemicals may be hiding in your makeup or skin care products. Try swapping some of your current cleansers and concealers for products which are oil-free or have acne-treating properties. Struggling with body acne? Try showering immediately after a workout, using a pre-shower scrub, or switching out your body wash. 
3. You’re cleansing too frequently. This may seem counterintuitive, but washing your face too often can actually make your complexion worse. Cleansing more than twice a day may be drying out your skin, causing it to produce more oil to overcompensate for what was lost. If you simply must wash your face again to beat the heat, be sure to moisturize after.  
4. Reaching for the Haagen-Dazs? Your skin deserves better. There’s a proven link between sugar, dairy, and acne. Cleaning up your complexion may mean cleaning up your diet, but trust us, your body will thank you. 

For some of our patients, there’s one clear culprit behind their acne breakouts. For others, flare-ups are triggered by a variety of factors, and therefore requires multiple acne-management strategies, which is why we’re here to help. Our expert dermatologists don’t take a “one size fits all” approach to treating acne. Ready to see the results you’ve been waiting for? Let us help you find a solution to your skin’s unique needs, schedule an appointment with us today.