The 5 Major Causes of Acne Every Filipina Should Know

A recent study by a pharmaceutical company found that around 3 in 4 Filipinas may have confidence issues that are directly caused by skin problems. Of the many things that can go wrong with our skin, acne has got to be among the most obvious and most distressing skin condition.

While everyone gets a zit once in a while, for some people, it’s a battle that they often feel they have no way of winning. Severe acne, when left unchecked, can lead to self-esteem issues that can make it hard to function in a day-to-day life.

In order to win the fight against acne, we need to know the major causes. Unfortunately, many Filipinas still believe old wives tales about how acne forms on our skin. No, eating chocolates doesn’t lead to acne, and neither does having oily skin (at least not necessarily). This misunderstanding of what causes acne to happen often leads to so-called solutions that don’t solve anything. Many of these “treatments” may even make your acne worse.

Before you seek out any treatments for your skin, make sure you understand these leading causes of acne.

Bacteria
Propionibacterium acnes is the primary cause of acne in the vast majority of cases. This species of bacteria feeds on skin oils and excretes toxins that can cause skin irritation and inflammation. This inflammation can cause a blockage in our pores, causing pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. While other types of bacteria can cause acne, Propionibacterium acnes is usually the cause in over 90% of cases.

Hormones
The balance of hormones in your system can cause you to break out. This is why pregnant and menstruating women may find that they are more prone to acne. The stress hormone cortisol is also a common culprit — which explains why your skin may be vulnerable to acne when you’re stressed out at work or because of a personal crisis.

Medication
Some classes of medicines may either cause your skin’s oil glands to produce oil faster than your skin can shed naturally, leading to pore blockages that result in acne. Others may slow down the rate at which your skin is able to slough off dead cells, which also leads to blockages. Others may affect your hormonal balance, which as we discussed earlier, can lead to acne as well. Many common cough medicines, sedatives, anticonvulsants, lithium, corticosteroids, androgenic steroids, barbiturates, and DHEA are known to increase the incidences of skin breakouts.

Genetics
Genetics has a major in determining the likelihood you might get acne. Pore size, for instance, is genetically determined. The same goes for how well our skin regenerates and how active our skin’s oil glands are. It can also determine what chemicals may irritate our skin and whether or not the irritation will cause an overproduction of skin oils.

Environmental irritants
Air pollution, cheap makeup and skin products, and allergens can cause our skin to break out by irritating them and making them susceptible to other infection by bacteria like Propionibacterium acnes. Using the wrong skin treatments can also cause our skin to break out, which is why you need to consult skin experts like those at your nearest Flawless Face and Body clinics. Flawless doesn’t only offer a wide range of Acne Control solutions, but their skin professionals will guide you through their holistic approach to beauty through products, services, supplements, and lifestyle tips.

Find the Flawless clinic near you below and get a free Doctor’s consultation to find the best treatment for your skin.