Ask Lumin: What Causes Acne?

If you deal with acne, you probably know how frustrating breakouts can feel. If you’re managing regular flare-ups, skincare combined with stress management and good nutrition can help keep zits at bay. Also, it’s important to note that your skin, as your body’s largest organ, can tell you a lot about your health.

While clogged pores and problematic skincare routines are two primary causes of breakouts, various health factors can also contribute to chronic acne. Managing acne can become much easier when you have a better understanding of what the root causes of your breakouts might be. And remember, the goal for getting healthier skin is progress and not perfection. Let’s look at some factors that cause acne and how you can start getting clearer skin.

Processed Foods & Refined Sugar

A diet high in processed carbs and refined sugar can contribute to acne, according to research. Further, studies show a link between dairy consumption and acne in some people.

Refined white foods, such as white flour, sugar, and other highly processed carbohydrates, can exacerbate breakouts. High glycemic foods, such as cake, cookies, chips, and white bread and pasta can contribute to acne when eaten in excess. Boosting your diet with whole foods, such as whole grains, healthy proteins, leafy greens, veggies, and fresh fruit can help your skin and overall health.

Hormonal Changes & Imbalances

Too much oil causes pimples and breakouts, and hormonal changes can stimulate excess oil production. If you thought that hormonal imbalances would be a thing of the past once you exited your teen years, think again. Adult acne can mean breakouts well into your 20s, 30s, and 40s. Fluctuating male and female hormones contribute to acne because of the disruptions they cause in the body and on the surface of your skin.

Fortunately, there are many treatment options to help you manage acne. Oil and pH-balancing skincare routines, stress management techniques (think meditation and deep breathing), and addressing your gut health with probiotics and nutrition can all make a positive difference in the health of your skin. You might also check in with your dermatologist to see if prescribed treatments can help.

Genetic Factors — Your Parents

Research shows that some hereditary factors can increase your risk of acne. If you have a parent with acne, or if both parents managed the condition at some point, you may have an increased risk of chronic breakouts.

While there’s no such thing as an acne gene per se, hormonal conditions and skin types can run in families. This doesn’t mean that you’ll get acne if your parents had it, but preventative measures can help stop acne.

Pore-Clogging Skincare Products

Managing and preventing acne requires a two-pronged approach: Caring for your body with exercise and nutrition while incorporating an effective skincare routine can help you achieve the best skin possible.

Low-quality skincare products can leave your pores clogged and your skin inflamed and irritated. To prevent and heal breakouts, look for products labeled:

• Oil-free
• Non-comedogenic
• Non-acnegenic

We developed Lumin to take the guesswork out of men’s skincare. Not only do our products promote clear skin by balancing oil production, clearing clogged pores, and keeping your skin’s pH healthy, they also address men’s unique skin structure.

Getting rid of acne can seem like no small feat, but we encourage you to remember that all skin is good skin. No one is perfect, and you can be proud of your skin no matter where you are on your skincare journey.