Great question! Acne can be super frustrating and finding a skin care routine that works best for you can take time. It’s important to remember you are not alone, nearly 85% of teens experience acne, controlling it is key! Acne is caused by clogged pores or hair follicles, they are super small and tiny hairs grow out of them. Inside these follicles there are sebaceous glands, which contain an oily substance, this substance is good because it keeps your skin and hair soft. However, if there is too much oily substance, then it can lead to acne. Finding a balance can be difficult because there are a lot of different reasons why breakouts can occur. Here are some reasons why breakouts happen:
- Touching – Don’t touch your face! Even if it’s tempting it can make acne worse!
- Hormones – keeping your hormones balanced helps prevent breakouts!
- Environmental – changing of the seasons, air quality, etc.
- Dirty sports equipment – clean your helmets, chin straps, goggles!
- Masks – wear a clean mask each day, to prevent bacteria build up!
- Skin Products – finding the right ones for you is key, but it can take time and routine is important.
- Stress – this causes more hormone production, managing stress can reduce breakouts.
There are a lot of products on the market to help with acne, but it’s important to note that nothing works overnight! It’s important to wash your face at least daily with a gentle cleanser and use an oil free moisturizer. If you’re eliminated the things that cause acne flares and have a good face cleaning routine and you’re still experience breakouts, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your primary care provider (PCP) or a dermatologist. Dermatologists are doctors who specialize in treating skin issues, such as acne! Your PCP and/or dermatologist can help you create a skin care routine with or without medications to help better control your acne.
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