Acne is caused by a combination of factors, most of which are beyond the actual control of the person who is suffering from this skin condition. There are some who believe dirt and acne go hand in hand. However, this is not the case. However, there are some things that you can do to help yourself when it comes to controlling your acne symptoms.

The first thing to take note of if you suffer from acne is wash excessively. Over washing can actually dry your skin out, irritate it, or cause your skin to increase oil production causing even more breakouts.

If you are going to exfoliate great but be sure to use a gentle product. Avoid products that contain harsh materials like pits or shells and go for products designed to exfoliate without harming your skin. This can help to remove dead cells without causing damaged to the new skin underneath.

One of the worst things to use on your skin is alcohol and products, which contain rubbing alcohol. This can be found in most toners. This form of alcohol is a strong astringent which if used will strip off the top layer of skin causing dryness to occur. Once this happens, your skin will automatically begin to produce more oil. This forms the perfect set of conditions for an acne breakout.

Everyone wants to get rid of blemishes cause by acne by popping them or squeezing them, or scratching at them. These activities actually cause your acne to worsen as it drives the bacteria deeper into the skin. This causes a greater chance and spread of irritation and infection along with damaging the area surrounding the blemish. Many times, it is participating in these activities, which contributes to the cause of acne scaring.

Avoid touching your face. The bacteria which causes acne is actually a normal every day resident of your skin, however, excessive touching can cause these normally outside bacterial residence to journey inward. Once inside they form the condition of a breakout.

If you are going to work out, remember to shower and wash off. Sweat and other oils and toxins that are brought to the skin’s surface during exercise need to be removed in order to make sure they do not end up back in the skin. Wet clothing, friction and heat all together make the perfect condition for bacterial growth.

Preventative treatments, once you find a product or set of products that work for you in helping you to take care of your skin and reduce your breakouts remember to stick with it. There are a number of products from a selection of companies available on the market in over the counter formulas. If these do not prove to be, effective there are also a number of doctor prescribed treatment options which may be available to you.

It is a good idea to begin treatment as soon as possible and remember to maintain the treatment that works for you, stopping preventative treatment usually results in the acne returning.

The Relationship Between Acne and PCOS PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a hormonal disorder that causes enlarged ovaries, with the possibility of small cysts forming on the outer edges It also affects a woman’s fertility and causes several side effects such as acne Hormonal imbalance is an indicator of PCOS A woman’s body relies on signals from the pituitary gland to release the right amounts of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone With PCOS, these signals get disrupted Without the signals from the pituitary gland, the estrogen and progesterone levels plummet, increasing testosterone levels Although androgens are considered as “male” hormones, they are also present in women— albeit at lower levels than men Androgens cause the glands in the skin to produce excess sebum The sebum and dead skins then accumulate in the hair follicles, trapping the bacteria beneath the skin and causing inflammation and acne Acne caused by hormonal imbalance often appears in areas where a man would have a beard such as the jawline, chin, upper neck, and cheeks Hormonal acne can be long-lasting and painful It may sometimes leave scars or dark marks even if the acne is treated However, acne may also appear due to certain medications like corticosteroids, stress, and using comedogenic skin care products or makeup Treatment options include over-the-counter (OTC) acne medication that typically includes benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur These ingredients help treat mild acne. However, they are not usually enough to treat hormonal acne Hence, addressing the underlying hormonal imbalance is the only way to get rid of PCOS-related acne To clear hormonal acne, oral contraceptives are sometimes used as they can stabilize a woman’s hormone levels during their entire menstrual cycle Oral contraceptives are not recommended for women over 35 years or those who have a history of: Blood clots Breast cancer High blood pressure Smoking Anti-androgen drugs are prescription medications that reduce testosterone levels Not every woman with hormonal acne has high androgen levels, so a doctor may obtain a blood sample to test her levels Regarding diet, there is conflicting evidence about how diet can affect acne Dietary changes alone are not enough to treat PCOS-related acne, but they can be a significant part of a woman’s overall treatment plan If dietary changes do not aid in acne treatment, it is advisable to consult a doctor so that they can add anti-inflammatory supplements like copper and zinc It is also important to follow a good skin care routine like using non-comedogenic makeup and avoiding picking and scratching blemishes