This post: Acne 101-Your Teen’s Guide to Clear Skin
If there’s one thing you can count on once you become a teenager, it’s acne. In fact, according to Web MD, more than 85% of teenagers deal with skin problems including whiteheads, blackheads, acne blemishes, pimples and sometimes deep, painful cysts.
And, as most teens know, acne isn’t merely skin deep. It can impact the way they feel about themselves, their social life and even their emotional well-being.
The good news is, acne prevention has a come a long way and there are plenty of things your teen can do to achieve the clear, glowing skin they’ve always wanted.
For the latest information about acne, including what causes it, myths you need to stop believing in, the truth about how diet impacts your skin and the latest acne-fighting treatments, we reached out to top experts for insight, advice, and answers to your acne questions so you can help your teen battle those beastly breakouts with confidence.
We may earn a small affiliate commission from the sale of products included in this post.
What Really Causes Acne
Before you can treat acne, it’s helpful to understand how your skin works and what causes acne.
When you hit puberty, your body naturally begins to produce an increase in hormones called androgens. The excess hormones trigger oil glands in your skin (called sebaceous glands) to become overactive and produce too much oil (or sebum).
When there’s an abundance of oil, the pores or hair follicles in your skin become blocked with skin cells which can cause acne. The excess oil also triggers an overgrowth of bacteria which contributes to acne.
Acne Prone Areas
We all know that acne primarily appears on the face, but there are other areas of the body that are prone to acne, too. The chest, upper back, and shoulders are also areas where acne can rear its ugly head. The reason is that these areas of skin have the most oil (sebaceous) glands and hair follicles are connected to oil glands which can then become clogged triggering acne.
Acne Myths: Don’t Believe Everything You Hear
There is so much information floating around about acne it’s hard to tell what’s fact or myth. From old wives’ tales to grandma’s well-meaning advice, chances are much of what you’ve heard or think you know about acne is likely a myth. Here are the top 4 acne myths debunked:
MYTH #1 Acne is Caused By Not Washing Your Face
Toss that theory out the door. Acne isn’t caused by dirty skin. In fact, washing your face too frequently, scrubbing it too hard or cleansing your skin with harsh soaps can irritate the skin and actually make acne worse.
MYTH #2 Wearing Makeup Will Make You Breakout
Contrary to popular belief, cosmetics won’t necessarily make acne worse, especially if you wash your face at night, remove all traces of makeup and wear noncomedogenic makeup, which is oil-free makeup that doesn’t clog pores.
MYTH #3 Acne is Contagious
Nope. Acne isn’t contagious and cannot be spread from person to person. The acne bacteria isn’t transmitted like most bacterial infections. Still, it’s a good idea to avoid using your friend’s pillow, towels or makeup for other hygienic reasons.
MYTH #4 Blackheads are Dirt in Your Pores
Busted. Blackheads are not dirt stuck in your pores. When debris inside a pore is exposed to air (or oxidized) it turns a darker color.
Things That Can Trigger Acne Breakouts
If you’ve ever had relatively clear skin for weeks or maybe even months and you suddenly experienced a terrible breakout for no apparent reason, you’re not alone. Despite keeping up with your daily skin care regime, there are a few factors – some in your control, some not – that could be contributing to your breakouts.
Hormones
You can fight it all you want, but it’s inevitable. As soon as you hit puberty your hormones increase which causes oil glands to produce more oil which can trigger acne.
Stress
It’s finals week and you’re exhausted and stressed out about all your upcoming tests. Ever notice how your skin has a way of stressing out right along with you? While emotional stress won’t trigger acne, it can worsen existing acne conditions.
Certain Medications
According to Web MD, certain drugs including corticosteroids, lithium, anticonvulsants, barbiturates, androgenic steroids, DHEA and medications that contain bromides or iodides can cause acne or acne-like eruptions.
Genetics
When it comes to acne, family history and genetics could be working against you. If your mom or dad had acne, chances are you will too.
Your Cell Phone
If you knew how many germs were lurking on your cell phone, you’d think twice about holding it up to your face. In fact, studies have shown that the average cellphone is seven times dirtier than a toilet.
Not only will holding your nasty cell phone to your face transfer bacteria to your skin, but any makeup residue left on your phone could end up on your face, clog your pores and trigger a breakout. Your best bet is to regularly wipe your phone with antibacterial wipes to keep it germ-free.
Touching Your Face
Considering the fact that the average person touches their face three times an hour without even realizing it, you might want to make a concerted effort to avoid doing it. When you touch your face you’re basically transferring any dirt and oil on your hands to your face which can cause blocked pores and future blemishes. Rule of thumb, wash your hands frequently and do your best to keep your hands away from your face.
Your Pillow
If you wake up from a night of slumber only to find your face is broken out, your pillow could be the culprit.
Unless you’re washing your pillowcase weekly, it can collect oil, dirt, and bacteria from your skin which is the perfect breeding ground for clogged pores and pimples.
Another thing that could cause breakouts is laundry detergent and fabric softener. Most contain fragrance, so if you’re experiencing unexplained breakouts, switch to fragrance-free detergent and softener and you might see a difference in your skin.
Some Lotions and Sunscreens
According to Dr. Kenneth Ellner, Board Certified Dermatologist at the Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Diseases, “If teens want to look good at 30, they need to wear sunscreen every single day.” But, most teens skip the moisturizer and sunscreen out of fear of breaking out. Thankfully, there are plenty of lotions and sunscreens on the market that won’t cause breakouts. Look for lotions and sunscreens that are oil-free and noncomedogenic. Check out these articles for the best sunscreens for acne-prone skin and 10 derm-approved moisturizers to avoid breakouts.
How Diet Affects Acne
Hold The Fries, Please
Your mom has been pounding it in your head for years to stop eating those greasy french fries you love so much, but who knew she could actually be right?
For the longest time, the link between acne and diet has been controversial with many experts believing there isn’t any solid evidence to support that greasy food, chocolate cake or any other junk food has any connection with acne. But, new studies are finding otherwise.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, high-glycemic foods and beverages such as french fries, white rice, potato chips, doughnuts, cookies, and sugary drinks, for example, (food and beverages that raise your blood sugar quickly) may be responsible for triggering acne.
In a study of 2,258 patients who were placed on a low-glycemic weight loss diet consisting of some fresh fruits and vegetables, beans and oats, 87% of patients said they had less acne and another 91% said they needed less acne medication.
Scientists believe that following a low-glycemic diet may reduce acne because it eliminates spikes in blood sugar. When your blood sugar spikes, it causes inflammation throughout your body. These spikes also cause your body to make more sebum, an oily substance in your skin. Both inflammation and excess oil can lead to acne.
Let’s Talk About Milk
One beverage you might want to steer clear of to keep your acne in check is milk. Even though milk is a low-glycemic beverage, some studies suggest that drinking milk (whole, low-fat and even skim) may trigger acne. In one study consisting of more than 6,000 girls aged 9 to 15 years old, participants were asked to complete questionnaires about their diet. The study found that the girls who drank the most milk were more likely to have acne.
Acne Treatment Options
Finding the right treatment option for your acne starts by understanding what remedies are available and their ability to combat mild, moderate or severe acne.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Typically best for mild acne, most over-the-counter medications contain one or more of these ingredients:
Benzoyl Peroxide: Typically very effective although it can cause drying and peeling, so make sure you start with a product that has a low percentage to see how your face reacts.
Salicylic Acid: A beta hydroxyl acid that works especially well for whiteheads and blackheads. It dissolves skin debris which unclogs pores and is an anti-inflammatory so it works well to make pimples heal faster. It also works great to exfoliate the skin which can help with clogged pores.
Glycolic Acid: An alpha hydroxyl acid that works to boost your skin’s natural exfoliating process. Another benefit is that it can help reduce the appearance of dark spots or marks left behind by acne.
Sulfur: Sulfur works well to dry out the surface of your skin to help manage excess oil which can cause acne breakouts. It also works well to dry out dead skin cells to help unclog pores.
Topical Prescription Medications
When over-the-counter medications just aren’t cutting it, you may want to consider making an appointment with a dermatologist who can prescribe something stronger to combat your acne. A few of the topical medications they might prescribe include:
Topical Antibiotics: Kills bacteria on the skin and works well to reduce inflammation and redness. Examples include clindamycin and erythromycin.
Topical Retinoids: Made from vitamin A, topical retinoids work by unclogging the follicles which allow topical antibiotics to work better. Examples include adapalene (Differin), tazarotene (Tazorac), and tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A).
Other Topical Treatments: Some over-the-counter medications are also available in prescription strength including azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and sulfur. They work well to reduce inflammation and combat bacteria on the skin.
Oral Prescription Medications
For moderate to severe acne, a dermatologist might prescribe an oral acne medication that is sometimes used in conjunction with a topical treatment. Oral prescription medications a dermatologist might recommend include:
Oral Antibiotics: Oral antibiotics can work extremely well to kill bacteria and reduce swelling in moderate to severe acne cases. Examples include Tetracycline, Sarecycline, and Doxycycline.
Hormonal Treatment: Because acne can sometimes be caused by hormonal fluctuations, a dermatologist may prescribe birth control pills to stabilize hormones.
Accutane: Accutane (also known as Isotretinoin) is a powerful drug used to treat moderate to severe acne that has failed other treatments. The drug is highly potent and has many side effects including birth defects and miscarriage so it should never be taken by a woman who is pregnant or might become pregnant.
Let’s face it, acne can be a pain. Whether you’re battling the occasional breakout or chronic acne, no one likes to look in the mirror and see unsightly pimples and blemishes. Thankfully, there are plenty of available treatment options – surely, one that will work beautifully for you.
While you should always talk with your dermatologist or healthcare provider before starting any new treatment plan, here are a few BEST SELLERS for acne prevention and treatment.
2 comments
Hi, I can’t seem to access the link to best acne products: here are a few BEST SELLERS for acne prevention and treatment. Also, can you explain what you mean by “debris” in the pores (#4)? You mention blackheads aren’t dirt in the pores but that it’s debris exposed to air. What is the debris and what’s the best way to prevent it or get rid of it? Thank you! Excellent article.
Hello! I just checked the links to the BEST SELLERS and they seem to be working just fine. I’m not certain why they aren’t working for you. Try clicking on the actual image and see if that works. If not, every product shown is currently available on AMAZON so you can simply search the products/products you’re interested in on Amazon.
Regarding your question about blackheads, I worked with a couple of different dermatologists for this post and was given this information by one of them:
How Blackheads Come to Be: Our skin is covered by hair follicles that can collect oil, sebum, skin debris and dirt. A hair follicle may also get infected if bacteria gets into it that may cause pimples, boils, or other skin infections. An open comedo or blackheads is a clogged hair follicle that is oxidized, thus giving the blackened color and that’s why it is called a “blackhead.” If it is a closed comedo, it results in the formation of “whiteheads” instead. Blackheads form in the wide opening of the surface of a pore. The combination of excess sebum, bacteria, and abnormal sloughing off of skin cells lead to the clogging of the pores. Anyone can have blackheads even those who have good skin and it can occur anywhere in the face but is mostly found in the oiliest part of the skin, usually at the T-zone or the forehead, nose, and chin.
I hope this helps! 🙂