The role of lifestyle and environment on breakouts
While hormonal fluctuations are often considered the primary culprit behind acne, emerging research and clinical observations suggest that lifestyle factors and environmental influences play a role in triggering and exacerbating breakouts. Here we will explore how stress, sleep, pollution, and lifestyle can impact skin health and contribute to blemishes.
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Stress: Pimples’ invisible trigger
Stress is often considered a “silent” trigger for breakouts. When you’re stressed, your body produces cortisol, a hormone that can increase oil production in the skin and interfere with digestion in the gut. Stress can also induce symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, gas, bloating and nausea. Here’s how stress plays a part:
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- Cortisol and Oil Production: Elevated cortisol levels can overstimulate the sebaceous glands, leading to clogged pores and breakouts.
- Stress-Induced Behaviours: Stress might also lead to habits such as touching the face more often, picking at pimples, or skipping skincare routines—actions that can further aggravate pimples.
- Mental Health Connection: Anxiety, depression, and other forms of mental stress can impact the skin’s appearance, not only through hormonal shifts but also due to the physical effects of poor sleep and the affect it has on unhealthy lifestyle choices.
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Sleep: The Skin’s Repair Time
We all know how important sleep is for overall health, but it’s especially crucial for skin repair. During deep sleep, the body releases growth hormones that help to repair and rejuvenate skin cells. Lack of sleep can:
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- Disrupt Skin Regeneration: Sleep deprivation reduces the skin’s ability to repair itself and increases inflammation, both of which can contribute to blemish flare-ups.
- Increase Stress: Poor sleep also heightens stress, creating a feedback loop that further impacts the skin.
To get clearer skin, aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night, ensuring your body has the time it needs to regenerate and reset.
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Pollution and chemicals: The Skin’s Hidden Enemy
Air pollution is more than just a concern for our lungs—it can also have a detrimental effect on our skin. Fine particulate matter and other pollutants can:
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- Clog Pores: Pollution particles can settle on the skin, mixing with oil, sweat, and dead skin cells, leading to clogged pores, blackheads and pimples.
- Oxidative Stress: Environmental pollutants can create free radicals that damage the skin’s natural barrier, increase inflammation, and promote the development of pimples and other skin conditions.
- Accelerated Aging: Long-term exposure to pollution is linked to premature skin aging, including wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, which often accompanies pustule scars.
To protect your skin, consider using skincare products that contain antioxidants, which can help neutralize the harmful effects of pollution.
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Climate and Lifestyle Impact:
Weather and climate can affect the health of your skin. Whether it’s the heat, humidity, or cold air, your skin may react in different ways depending on the environment you’re in:
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- Hot and Humid Climates: In warmer climates, increased sweating and humidity can exacerbate pimples by promoting the growth of bacteria and clogging pores with sweat and oils. Choosing oil-free, non-comedogenic skincare products can help mitigate this risk together with cleansing your skin before exercise and after work.
- Cold and Dry Hot Climates: Cold, dry air can cause your skin to become dehydrated, or hot summer months can result in sunburn that leads to irritation and inflammation and an increase in oil production as the skin tries to compensate. This imbalance can also trigger pimple flare-ups.
- Lifestyle factors: Be mindful of everything that touches areas on your body that are prone to pimples to ensure they are clean and germ free. Your hands, facecloth, towels, makeup brushes, sheets and pillowcases, can all contribute to breakouts.
- Working in a restaurant kitchen: Kitchens are usually very hot, washing dishes or overseeing deep fried foods can be contributing factors.
Conclusion:
Remember, what works for one person may not work for another, and if acne persists, it’s always best to consult a dermatologist or healthcare professional for personalised care. The good news is that by making small, sustainable changes in your daily routine, you can help your skin maintain its balance and glow—no matter the season or environment.
Schedule a consultation to discuss how our effective treatments may assist you.
Disclaimer:
The content in this blog is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended in any way to substitute professional medical advice.
