Acne is more common during adolescence, but it is not exclusive to this stage of development. Depending on the health conditions and lifestyle of each person, pimples can appear even in adulthood.
If this problem persists despite having a skin care routine to control the oiliness of the skin, the causes of these lesions may be internal factors or habits that are harmful to your body. Check out 11 reasons that can explain acne that won’t go away at all:
1. It could be a hormonal problem
Not even the best cosmetic treatment in the world can get rid of acne if a person has an imbalance in their hormone levels.
It is interesting to look for an endocrinologist to investigate and treat problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome, hidradenitis suppurativa or an adenoma (benign tumor) in the pituitary.
2. You are unknowingly consuming anabolic steroids
Synthetic steroids derived from testosterone, better known as anabolic steroids, are used in sports medicine and by people who want to increase their muscle mass. You may already know that these substances are controversial due to their side effects, and one of them is precisely the increase in acne.
Even if you don’t use anabolic steroids, some experts warn that certain brands of protein shakes may have traces of these steroids. As the amount is very small, this information often does not appear on the product label, but continuous consumption could trigger the appearance of pimples.
3. Your makeup brushes are dirty
Poorly sanitized makeup brushes can favor the accumulation of bacteria due to the presence of moisture and dead cells.
So, when you put on makeup, you end up taking these microorganisms to your skin, where they can cause infections and acne.
4. Your makeup favors the emergence of pimples
In general, makeup products of non-mineral origin can contain dyes, fragrances, and other substances that cause skin irritation. In addition, oil-based cosmetics can clog pores and cause an imbalance in natural oils, all of which favor the emergence of acne.
Thus, people with a tendency to have pimples should look for products of mineral origin, oil free and non-comedogenic (which do not clog pores).
5. The problem may be with your cell phone
We are not always careful to wash our hands before using our cell phone and, therefore, we end up transmitting bacteria from the street, public transport, doorknobs and even the bathroom to it.
As a result, when we make a call, we are exposing our face to a surface with thousands of microorganisms – and this also happens when we send a message and touch our skin right away. That way, the tip is to wash your hands whenever possible and sanitize your device with bactericidal wipes.
6. You’re Overdoing Your Skin Care Routine
In an attempt to free your face from pimples, you may end up overusing soaps and scrubs and removing the natural oils that form a protective barrier on the skin.
As a result, your body may increase oil production to compensate for this imbalance, making acne worse.
7. Your hair products are dripping onto your face
Pomades, styling creams and other hair care products can run onto your face or even be applied onto your face unintentionally in the case of spray products. As these cosmetics are often able to clog pores, they can end up causing acne.
A sign that this could be happening is the presence of pimples especially on the forehead and scalp line. In that case, try washing your face after applying hair products.
8. Your body has a lot of inflammatory processes
It’s not that chocolate alone increases pimples, but consumption of foods that tend to cause inflammation in the body can affect the health of the skin, as well as other organs.
This is the case with red meats, fast food, fried foods, refined sugar, dairy products, alcohol and processed foods in general, which contain additives such as dyes, preservatives, sodium and flavor enhancers.
9. Are you consuming any food that gives you allergies?
In addition to the inflammatory processes caused by certain foods, it is possible that some products cause allergy and sensitivity, which can also manifest themselves through a change in skin conditions.
This is the case of intolerance to foods that contain gluten and lactose, which should receive medical monitoring.
10. Your hands are causing the problem
We touch our face several times a day without realizing it, and our hands carry particles of dirt and microorganisms present on our cell phones, computers and all objects where our fingers have passed.
In fact, any belongings that come in contact with our face can be the cause of the problem, including glasses and the pillowcase itself, which can also be a haven for acne-causing bacteria.
11. You are going through a period of stress
Continuous stress causes an increase in the production of cortisol, a hormone linked to the emotional system, which in turn stimulates androgen hormones, also present in women’s bodies in small amounts.
These hormones activate the sebaceous glands and increase oil production, causing pimples and blackheads. In this case, in addition to skin care, you need to find a way to have a more peaceful life.
If you already have a good skin care routine and still can’t get rid of acne, it may be time to seek professional advice to find out the cause of this problem and the best way to treat it. Don’t postpone the appointment!