This article looks at many causes of breakouts, location-specific breakouts, and what to do about them.
Others are related to your health or other medical causes, and some are due to your lifestyle.
This punch in of acne typically causes breakouts of tiny bumps across yourcheeks, chin, or forehead.
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It often involves whiteheads and some pimples.
Acne cosmetica can develop even if youve been using the same products for several months.
This can make it difficult to know for sure whether its the makeup or something else.
Using makeup to conceal breakouts can then make your acne even worse.
However, some of them aresafe for acne-prone skin.
When choosing sun protection, consider:
Also consider what feels good on your skin.
That will make you more likely to use it.
Facial Hair Growth or Removal
Beard acne can form in or around facial hair.
This happens because the hair traps oil, dead cells, and bacteria next to your skin.
It can also make the skin underneath harder to cleanse.
Facial hair removal can also lead to breakouts.
These may be acne orfolliculitis, a rash triggered by irritated hair follicles.
The chemicals in detergent can cause irritated skin or even allergic reactions.
This is calledcontact dermatitis.
Acne resulting from picking is calledexcoriated acne.
It can involve open sores, red bumps or scratches, crusting, and scabbing.
It can also cause scarring due to permanent damage.
Skin picking can be a hard habit to break.
If you cannot stop on your own, talk to a healthcare provider.
You may benefit from treatments, including mental health counseling.
Hormones
Hormones and hormonal changes can cause or contribute to acne.
During puberty,testosterone levelsincrease in people of all sexes.
In people with testicles (often assigned male at birth), it makes the penis and testicles develop.
In people with ovaries (often assigned female at birth), it promotes bone and muscle development.
This also happens to people whotake testosteronefor medical reasons and as part ofgender-affirming treatment.
In people with ovaries, estrogen keeps androgen hormones such as testosterone anddihydrotestosteronein check.
This isnt due to estrogen and testosterone, though.
Cortisolis one of your primary stress hormones.
When youre under stress, your body produces more cortisol than usual.
Genetics
A tendency to developacne runs in families.
These include genes that regulate inflammatory responses andsebaceous(oil) gland activity.
Medications
Certain medicationsespecially those containing hormonescan cause or contribute to acne.
They may want to run some tests.
Strong ties have been found between non-inflammatory adult acne, especially in those with a female hormone profile.
Adult female smoking-related acne is especially likely to cause large, cyst-like pimples scattered all over the face.
These are uncommon in other cases of adult acne.
Diet
Your diet can directly impact your risk of acne breakouts.
Staying hydrated is important for skin health.
The Chocolate Myth
Many people used to believe chocolate caused acne.
In one study, poor sleep predicted the presence of acne, and vice versa.
This is a complex relationship thats not yet well-understood.
However, insufficient sleep is linked to many systemic inflammatory diseases.
Sweaty Activities
Anything that makes you sweat a lot can lead to clogged pores and acne breakouts.
This includes:
Sweaty skin is especially likely to trap dirt and bacteria on your skin.
Traveling
The air on airplanes is especially dry.
If you already have dry skin, this can lead to irritation.
If you have oily skin, it may produce excess oil production to counter the dryness.
Travel can also be stressful.
All of those scenarios can lead to acne breakouts soon after you arrive at your destination.
Oily products are more likely than nonoily ones to cause acne.
The U zone is the area from beneath your eyes down to your jaw.
This pop in of acne sometimes includes the front of your neck, as well.
Jawline Acne
Research suggests that acne along the jawline is related to higher levels of androgen hormones.
Beard acne can also occur along the jawline if you grow hair there.
The bumps sometimes spread up onto the scalp, as well.
Other symptoms include:
This common skin condition tends to get worse over time.
What Is AKN?
AKN is named for the appearance and location of the outbreak.
It looks similar to acne and tokeloid scars(a thick, raised scar).
“Nuchae” is the medical term for the back of your neck.
Armpit Acne/Bumps
The skin in your armpits is especially sensitive.
If you have anarmpit breakout, you have a few possible causes to consider.
Because you have sweat glands there, armpits are one of the sweatiest areas of your body.
That alone can lead to acne and skin irritation.
The area is also especially prone to contact dermatitis.
While your clothing touches you all over, those chemicals may only cause problems in sensitive areas like this.
If you shave under your arms, you may develop razor burn oringrown hairs.
These arent acne, but they can look like it.
Warm and moist areas like armpits are also prone toyeastand otherfungal infections.
Theyre most common in areas where skin rubs against skin, such as your armpits and inner thighs.
HS is often mistaken for acne because the pumps can look like pimples.
If you think you may have HS, its important to see a healthcare provider.
They may refer you to a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
This skin infection can occur between about 12 and 48 hours after your soak.
A folliculitis rash is:
The bumps may turn darker and fill with pus.
You may feel sick and have a fever and/or swollen lymph nodes.
Other treatments may be available depending on the jot down or cause of your breakouts.
Dietary improvements may help, too.
They may be able to provide guidance or refer you to a nutritionist.
Your skin (and the rest of you) may benefit from certain lifestyle changes.
For acne due to an underlying illness, you must get a proper diagnosis and treatment.
You may need to treat the acne, as well.
Summary
Acne is the result of pores being clogged by excess oil, dirt, and bacteria.
Some areas of your body are prone to certain types of acne, as well.
Other types of breakouts may look similar to acne but have different causes and require different treatments.
You may need a healthcare provider to determine why youre breaking out and what to do about it.
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