If you have been battling acne breakouts for what seems like forever, it can be frustrating to see no improvement. It’s also not uncommon for people with acne to start blaming themselves or their lifestyles.
However, there are actually a few reasons why your acne may be sticking around and they’re all easy fixes!
In this blog post, we will discuss 5 hidden reasons that could be keeping your breakouts from going away and how you can fix them.
5 Reasons Your Acne Won’t Go Away
You Don’t Understand Your Acne
We all have different skin types and acne can affect each of us differently. So it’s important to understand your own acne before you start trying out new treatments or products.
To do this, ask yourself a few questions:
- What is my body type?
- Do I produce more oil than the average person?
- Does my acne get worse at certain periods in time (like when I’m stressed)?
- If so, what does triggering event occurs right before an episode occurs?
- Identify how often you experience breakouts on the forehead/jawline versus other areas like cheeks, chin, etc.?
- Are they isolated pimples or cystic bumps that are painful and take longer to heal?
Once you answer these simple questions, identify which category most closely matches your answer.
You Aren’t On the Right Program
If your acne is not going away despite your best efforts, consider these hidden reasons the breakouts are sticking around.
When you’re experiencing an unusual breakout, the first thing to do is identify which category it falls into blackheads, whiteheads, cystic bumps, or something else.
Knowing what kind of makeup you put on can also help determine whether a breakout goes away in time for school pictures!
Afterward, start by asking yourself these questions about why they might be happening and try out new treatments accordingly:
- Are you too young?
- Is there another underlying health condition like PCOS that needs treatment as well?
- Have you been using harsh products with irritating ingredients lately? Do hormones affect acne flares? If so how much?
- Are your breakouts linked to certain foods?
You Are Overusing Products
You might be taking the all-out approach to clear your skin, but this can actually end up doing more harm than good. “The mistake a lot of people make is using harsh ingredients too often,” explains dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe. When you overuse products that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide – both common acne treatments – it creates an acidic environment which causes bacteria on your skin to glow and makes any open wounds even worse.” In other words, by constantly going for the heavy hitters like retinol exfoliants, glycolic peels, and chemical resurfaces (all great when used sparingly), you’re only causing yourself problems in the long run.
If you want to keep your skin clear, it’s time for a break! “What I recommend is using gentle products and introducing them slowly,” says Dr. Bowe. Your best bet will be going back to basics with daily cleansers that have ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide in the formula but are still designed to be gentler on the skin. Salicylic acid can also help prevent acne by getting rid of any dead cells clogging up pores – but make sure not to overdo it or use too many treatments containing this ingredient at once if you suspect an allergic reaction (which is rare). And finally, don’t forget about sunscreen either since UV rays from the sun can actually trigger acne flare-ups.
You Don’t Stick Long Enough to a Regimen
If you constantly switch up your treatment regimen, it can actually make your acne even worse. The reason for this is because the skin is unable to heal and build a resistance to bacterial growth if it’s not exposed long enough to any one type of product or ingredients. So don’t be too quick to give up on a routine; stick with something you’re comfortable using no matter what!
You Need to See a Dermatologist
- If you’re still getting breakouts at your age, or if no treatment has seemed to work for you yet, it’s time to see a derm.
- Your doctor will be able to diagnose the root cause of your acne and prescribe a medication that matches your skin type.
- A dermatologist can also recommend treatments like laser therapy or chemical peels which might help with scarring as well.
Preventive Actions
- Identify what kind of breakout you have. Blackheads, whiteheads, and cystic bumps require different treatments. Cystic acne is often caused by hormonal changes or another health condition like polycystic ovary syndrome that needs treatment as well. Hormones also affect flare-ups so it’s important to keep track of when they happen concerning menstruation cycles or birth control usage. If the break-out occurs around specific food choices then determine if there are any correlations between eating those items at a time without breaking out first – this will help pinpoint which diet change may be needed for more relief!
- Be mindful of using harsh products with irritating ingredients. Certain ingredients like fragrance can cause acne breakouts, so find a gentle and natural treatment that works for your skin type.
- We all tend to neglect our hands when it comes to maintaining cleanliness – but do they really need the same attention as other body parts? Hand washing is key in preventing bacteria buildup which often leads to clogged pores or worse! Wash your hair daily and make sure you’re keeping them dryer too with controls on hand’s moisture levels.
- Clean out makeup brushes regularly because just one wayward brush could contain dirt and oil from previous use; this goes double if you share them with others who have an oily complexion. Brushes are also home to dust mites – these microscopic bugs actually thrive on powder
FAQs
Why does my acne never go away?
This is a difficult question to answer, and there are many reasons why your acne might not be going away. Here’s what we’ve found may help some people with their breakouts:
- stop wearing makeup that you know triggers pimples for you (i.e., mineral powder)
- use a light oil moisturizer or serum under your heavy cream moisturizer in the winter (this helps prevent moisture loss from harsh weather conditions)
- try using more gentle products during stressful times like when you’re on vacation, traveling, etc. If regular skincare breaks out your skin while it calms down at other times, this could indicate an allergy! Try switching up as much of your routine as possible without any
What do I do if my acne won’t go away?
If your acne is not going away despite your best efforts, consider these are five hidden reasons they’re sticking around :
- Hormonal fluctuations: Acne is often caused by hormonal changes, and some people have recurring acne as a result of hormonally active periods such as puberty or pregnancy. It’s not always possible to completely control hormones but there may be ways you can mitigate their effects on your skin with lifestyle measures like stress management techniques or diet modification that helps balance hormone levels naturally. If this sounds like something worth exploring for yourself, ask your doctor about what options might work best in your case (i.e., birth control pills).
- Medications: Some medications and treatments used for other conditions can cause an increase in acne severity, so consider looking up any new medications you’re taking for their side effects and how to avoid them.
- Diet: Consider what is currently going into your body as there may be triggers from certain foods that contribute to acne flares. Dairy products are common culprits but keep an open mind when evaluating possible causes because everyone responds differently depending on various factors like genetics and gut health among others. If dairy doesn’t seem like a likely contributor, look at other dairy sources such as butter found in many baked goods ( try replacing with coconut oil) and yogurt found in dips or sauces.
- Lack of Sleep: Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can increase the production of hormones like testosterone, IGF-I (insulin growth factor), cortisol which worsen acne severity. If this is your issue, consider going to bed earlier by whatever time you need to lose about an hour each day until you are getting at least eight hours nightly as well as taking a power nap during the afternoon if possible for additional restorative benefits.
- Stress Management: Adrenaline released through stress can lead to increased inflammation and breakouts but reducing it may help prevent flare-ups – see above on how meditation promotes healthy hormonal balance among other perks. Consider using music therapy such as listening to meditative music or theta waves which can help a person relax and feel calmer.
When should I see a dermatologist for acne treatment?
If your acne has not responded to topical treatments or if you have severe scarring, see a dermatologist. He or she may prescribe one of the following:
- Oral antibiotics such as doxycycline (antibiotics are typically used for four months)
- Isotretinoin pills that help fight bacteria (taken daily at bedtime), with risk of birth defects from use in pregnant women
- Retinoids applied topically like tazarotene gel and adapalene cream
- Combination therapy using both an oral antibiotic plus an oral retinoid pill called Acanya/Epiduo which can be prescribed together by a doctor because they work on different parts of skin so it is more effective light therapy
- Laser treatments, with potential side effects of redness and swelling. The results are best when the acne is pustular or nodular in nature but can also be used for other types of acne
How long does it take for acne to go away on its own?
Most acne should go away within a few weeks of starting your treatment. If you’re using an over-the-counter product, it may take up to six weeks before breakouts start to clear.
