What Causes Acne Even When You Have a Good Skincare Routine
You might think a solid skincare routine with gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and spot treatments would keep acne away. But breakouts can still happen because acne has deeper causes beyond just what you put on your face. Hormones often drive these stubborn pimples, even if your routine is on point.
Hormones like androgens, which are male hormones present in everyone, boost oil production in your skin. This extra oil mixes with dead skin cells and clogs pores, leading to acne. For women over 30, this shows up as jawline or chin breakouts tied to menstrual cycles, birth control changes, pregnancy, or menopause. Conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, crank up these hormones too, causing oily skin, irregular periods, and spots.[1]
Stress and lack of sleep make it worse by spiking hormones that tell your skin to produce more oil. Your body pumps out cortisol under pressure, which ramps up sebum and inflammation, popping up pimples no matter how well you cleanse.[1]
Diet sneaks in as a big trigger. Foods high in dairy or sugar, like milk, cheese, sodas, pastries, and chocolate, spike insulin and hormones that clog pores. Whey protein shakes are another common culprit for flares.[1]
Even top skincare products can betray you. Some contain comedogenic ingredients that block pores, despite labels saying otherwise. Makeup, sunscreens, body lotions, and hair products with heavy oils or waxes do the same. If your routine includes these, they trap oil and bacteria inside.[3]
Bacteria play a role too. Cutibacterium acnes, a natural skin dweller, thrives when pores clog with oil and dead cells. It multiplies and sparks red, inflamed pimples or cysts. This bacterial acne hits oily skin most but can strike dry or combo types if products trap gunk.[2]
Overdoing your routine backfires. Washing too much strips your skin barrier, letting bacteria and irritants in while prompting more oil to compensate. Harsh scrubs or frequent face washes inflame things further.[1][2]
Ingredients like sulfates, fragrances, silicones, and dyes irritate sensitive skin, worsening acne even in a “good” routine.[5]
Outside factors chip in. Humidity and pollution clog pores more, especially without steady cleansing. These environmental hits team up with oil to inflame skin.[4]
Genetics set the stage too. If acne runs in your family, you might produce extra oil or shed skin cells faster, overriding your best efforts.[2]
Sources
https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/about-us/news/acne-over-30
https://naturalimageskincenter.com/common-misconceptions-about-bacterial-acne-how-to-identify-it-correctly/
https://artofskincare.com/blogs/learn/acne-lesson-1-what-is-acne-and-why-do-i-have-it
https://fashionmagazine.com/beauty-grooming/adult-acne-causes-treatments/
https://emani.com/blogs/emani-beauty-blog/causes-of-acne-and-sensitive-skin
