Common Acne Triggers and How to Avoid Them

Common Acne Triggers

There are quite a few things you use, wear, and do every day that can trigger an acne breakout on sensitive skin that's prone to pimples. Here are some of the most common acne triggers:

• Changes in your hormones. During puberty, menstruation, and any other time your hormones get out of whack, these changes can cause acne breakouts. Granted, you can’t avoid hormone surges, but if you take special care to follow a good skin care regimen — with medicated face washes and lotions if necessary — it may help prevent acne breakouts.
• Dirty skin. Although it's true that you shouldn't wash your face too often, not cleansing the skin enough can also trigger acne breakouts. Be sure to wash your face twice per day — in the morning and at night — to remove dirt, oil, makeup, and other things that can collect on your face and clog your pores.
• Sweating. When you've been exercising or even just working up a sweat doing yard work or cleaning house, that grimy perspiration sits on your skin and clogs up your pores. To prevent an acne breakout, take a bath or shower or wash your face when you're sweaty to get skin clear and clean again.
• Wearing hats, helmets, and tight clothing. Anything that rubs or constricts your skin is a potential acne trigger and can cause a type of acne called acne mechanica. Think about hats and helmets that fit snugly on your head — and rub against your skin. Add sweat and a little dirt to the equation, and you've got a perfect recipe for an acne breakout. Even clothing that fits tightly or a backpack that causes friction on the skin can cause acne.
• Greasy hair in your face. If you have oily hair, that oil can seep down onto your face — especially if you wear your hair in a way that touches your skin. Keeping your hair washed and pulled away from your face can help prevent acne breakouts.
• Makeup and skin products with oil. The more oil you add to your skin, the more likely you are to have acne breakouts. Avoid any cosmetics or skin products that are heavy, greasy, or contain oil.
• Holding a phone receiver against your face. Lots of hands and faces touch phone receivers, and when you chat on the phone and press the receiver against your face, you're putting all of those germs and oils on your skin. You're also putting pressure on your face — a known acne trigger. Don't press the phone receiver into your face, and try giving it a swipe with an antibacterial wipe before making a call.

Keeping Sensitive Skin Clear

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