Acne is one of the most common skin concerns, affecting people of all ages. It can be frustrating, unpredictable, and even painful, often leaving people wondering, “Why is my skin breaking out?” Whether you experience occasional breakouts or persistent acne, understanding the root causes is the first step toward achieving clearer skin.
At Kristina Marie Beauty, we specialize in skincare treatments that don’t just address surface-level issues but actually target the underlying causes of acne. If you’ve tried multiple products and treatments with little success, it may be time to take a closer look at what’s actually triggering your breakouts.
In this guide, we’ll break down the seven most common causes of acne and provide practical solutions to help you achieve long-lasting, healthy skin!
The Science Behind Acne: What’s Happening Under Your Skin?
Before we dive into the causes of acne, it’s important to understand what’s actually happening beneath the surface of your skin when a breakout occurs. Acne forms when your pores become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, leading to inflammation. This process is influenced by multiple factors, including hormones, stress, and even diet.
Here’s a breakdown of what happens inside your skin:
- Your sebaceous (oil) glands produce sebum, which helps keep your skin moisturized.
- Dead skin cells should naturally shed, but sometimes they mix with oil and create a blockage in the pores.
- Bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes or P. acnes) thrive in these clogged pores, leading to infection and inflammation.
- Your body fights back with an immune response, causing redness, swelling, and breakouts.
Understanding this process can help you make informed choices about your skincare routine, diet, and lifestyle habits. Now, let’s explore the major root causes of acne and what you can do about them!
Hormonal Imbalances: The #1 Acne Culprit
If your breakouts tend to flare up around your period, during pregnancy, or due to conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), hormones are likely playing a big role in your acne.
Hormonal acne is caused by androgens, such as testosterone, which increase oil production in the skin. When your sebaceous glands go into overdrive, your pores become clogged, leading to breakouts – often on the chin, jawline, and lower cheeks.
Who Experiences Hormonal Acne?
- Teenagers: Puberty causes a surge in androgens, leading to increased sebum production.
- Women in their 20s & 30s: Many women experience acne due to birth control changes, pregnancy, or PCOS.
- Perimenopausal & Menopausal Women: As estrogen declines, androgen levels can cause unexpected breakouts later in life.
How to Manage Hormonal Acne
- Track Your Cycle: If your breakouts follow a predictable pattern, hormone fluctuations are likely to blame.
- Eat a Hormone-Balancing Diet: Reduce dairy and processed foods that disrupt hormone balance. Include foods rich in omega-3s (salmon, walnuts) and fiber to support hormone health.
- Consult a Doctor: Some people find relief with medications that help regulate oil production.
- Reduce Stress: High cortisol levels can throw off your hormonal imbalance – more on that next!
- Support Your Skin with the Right Products: Look for ingredients like salicylic acid to help keep pores clear.
Stress and Acne: A Hidden Trigger
Stress doesn’t directly cause acne, but it worsens existing breakouts by increasing cortisol, your body’s main stress hormone. When cortisol levels rise, your skin produces more oil, making it easier for acne to develop.
Even notice that breakouts pop up right before a big event or exam? That’s stress-induced acne at work. Chronic stress also weakens the skin’s natural healing process, meaning blemishes stick around longer than they should.
How to Reduce Stress for Clearer Skin
- Prioritize Sleep: Your skin repairs itself while you sleep, so aim for 7-9 hours per night.
- Practice Mindfulness: Meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help lower cortisol levels.
- Create a Skincare Routine You Enjoy: Taking time to care for your skin can be a form of self-care.
- Stay Active: Exercise helps regulate hormones and improve circulation, leading to healthier skin.
Diet: How Food Affects Your Skin
What you eat directly impacts your skin. Certain foods increase inflammation, spike insulin levels, and disrupt gut health, all of which can contribute to acne.
Top Acne-Triggering Foods
- Dairy: Milk, cheese, and yogurt contain hormones and growth factors that may trigger oil production.
- Sugar & High-Glycemic Foods: Sweets, white bread, and sodas cause blood sugar spikes, leading to increased oil production and inflammation.
- Processed & Fried Foods: Fast food and packaged snacks contain refined oils and artificial additives that can disrupt your skin’s balance.
Best Foods for Clear Skin
- Leafy Greens: Kale, spinach, and Swiss chard are packed with antioxidants that fight inflammation.
- Healthy Fats: Avocados, nuts, and olive oil help support skin hydration and reduce redness.
- Fermented Foods: Greek yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut promote a healthy gut microbiome, which plays a role in acne prevention.
Skincare Mistakes That Could Be Causing Acne
Many people unknowingly make their acne worse by using the wrong skincare products or following routines that strip the skin of its natural balance. While it might seem logical to use stronger cleansers and harsh treatments to “dry out” pimples, this approach can actually backfire, leading to more breakouts, irritation, and oil overproduction.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is overwashing their face. If you have acne-prone skin, you might think washing it several times a day will keep it clean and prevent breakouts. However, when you strip away the skin’s natural oils, your sebaceous glands react by producing even more oil to compensate. This creates an endless cycle where your skin feels both oily and dry at the same time – a recipe for clogged pores and increased acne.
Another common mistake is using products that clog pores without realizing it. Many makeup, sunscreen, and skincare products contain comedogenic ingredients, meaning they can block pores and lead to breakouts. Some of the worst offenders include coconut oil, cocoa butter, lanolin, and silicone-based ingredients. Always check labels for non-comedogenic formulas to ensure they won’t aggravate your acne.
Skipping moisturizer is another major error, especially for those with oil or acne-prone skin. It’s a myth that people with acne shouldn’t use moisturizer – hydrated skin actually heals faster and is less likely to overproduce oil. Instead of skipping this step, opt for a lightweight, oil-free, and non-comedogenic moisturizer that keeps your skin balanced.
How to Build an Acne-Friendly Routine
- Use a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid to keep pores clear.
- Incorporate a treatment serum with ingredients like niacinamide, azelaic acid, or benzoyl peroxide to fight breakouts without irritation.
- Use a non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. Avoid thick, heavy creams that might clog pores.
- Never skip sunscreen – even acne-prone skin needs protection. Choose a lightweight, mineral-based SPF to prevent irritation.
By making small adjustments to your skincare routine, you can prevent new breakouts and support your skin’s natural healing process.
Gut Health & Acne: The Skin-Gut Connection
If you’ve tried countless topical treatments with little success, your acne might be caused by an imbalance in your gut microbiome. The gut and skin are closely linked, and research has shown that digestive health plays a significant role in acne development. When your gut is imbalanced due to poor diet, antibiotics, stress, or food intolerances, it can lead to systemic inflammation, which shows up on your skin in the form of breakouts.
A common gut-related issue tied to acne is leaky gut syndrome. When the intestinal lining becomes compromised, toxins and undigested food particles can “leak” into the bloodstream, triggering inflammation and worsening acne. If you experience frequent bloating, constipation, IBS symptoms, or food sensitivities, your gut health may be directly impacting your skin.
How to Improve Gut Health for Clearer Skin
- Eat a fiber-rich diet with plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and legumes to support digestion. Fiber helps eliminate toxins that could be contributing to breakouts.
- Incorporate probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kimchi, and kombucha to promote a healthy balance of good bacteria.
- Reduce processed and inflammatory foods, including excess sugar, dairy, and refined carbohydrates, which can disrupt gut bacteria and trigger acne.
- Stay hydrated – water helps flush out toxins that might otherwise show up on your skin.
- Consider a high-quality probiotic supplement to support gut health, especially if you’ve recently taken antibiotics.
By healing your gut, you’re addressing one of the internal root causes of acne, leading to clearer skin from the inside out.
Environmental Factors: How Pollution and Daily Habits Affect Acne
Your daily environment plays a huge role in your skin health. From air pollution to bacteria buildup on your pillowcase, many external factors can contribute to breakouts without you even realizing it. If you live in an urban area or a location with high humidity, you may be exposing your skin to increased pollution, toxins, and sweat buildup, all of which can clog pores and cause inflammation.
Pollution & Skin Damage
When pollutants in the air settle on your skin, they mix with excess oil and sweat, leading to clogged pores and oxidative stress. Over time, this exposure weakens your skin’s protective barrier, making it more vulnerable to acne-causing bacteria. If you frequently walk or commute in high-traffic areas, your skin is likely absorbing these environmental toxins daily.
Bacteria & Hygiene Habits
Another environmental trigger that often gets overlooked is bacteria from everyday objects. Things like your phone, makeup brushes, pillowcases, and even your hands harbor bacteria that can easily transfer onto your face and trigger breakouts. If you’re frequently touching your face or sleeping on the same pillowcase for weeks, you’re unknowingly introducing more dirt and bacteria to your skin.
How to Protect Your Skin from Environmental Acne
- Wash your face immediately after exposure to pollution or excessive sweating to remove debris before it clogs pores.
- Use an antioxidant-rich serum (like Vitamin C) to help protect against pollution and oxidative damage.
- Change your pillowcase at least twice a week to prevent bacteria buildup.
- Sanitize your phone screen regularly, as it touches your skin multiple times a day.
- Clean your makeup brushes and sponges weekly to avoid bacteria transfer.
By making small changes in your daily habits and being mindful of environmental factors, you can reduce breakouts and keep your skin healthier in the long run.
Medications That Can Trigger Acne
Certain medications can contribute to acne by altering hormone levels, increasing oil production, or triggering inflammation. If you’ve recently started a new prescription and noticed sudden breakouts, your medication might be a factor.
Common Medications That May Cause Acne:
- Birth Control Pills – Some progestin-only pills or Depo-Provera may increase oil production.
- Steroids (Prednisone, Anabolic Steroids) – Can lead to steroid acne, especially on the face, chest, and back.
- Antidepressants & Mood Stabilizers (Lithium, Prozac, Zoloft) – May disrupt skin balance, triggering breakouts.
- Epilepsy & Seizure Medications – Certain anticonvulsants can increase oil production.
- Thyroid Medications – Hormonal fluctuations may lead to acne.
- Iodine-Containing Drugs – Found in cough syrups, contrast dyes, and supplements, excess iodine can contribute to acneiform eruptions.
What You Can Do:
- Consult Your Doctor – If you suspect medication-induced acne, discuss alternative options with your provider.
- Adjust Your Skincare Routine – Use gentle, non-comedogenic products and ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to control breakouts.
- Give It Time – Some medication-related acne improves as your body adjusts.
- Support Your Skin with Healthy Habits – Stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet, and minimize stress.
How Kristina Marie Beauty Can Help You Achieve Clear Skin
At Kristina Marie Beauty in Jacksonville, FL, we believe that acne should be addressed at its root cause, not just with quick fixes. That’s why we take a personalized approach to skincare—helping you identify what’s truly triggering your breakouts and developing a customized treatment plan tailored to your unique skin.
We understand that no two people experience acne the same way. Whether your breakouts are caused by hormones, stress, diet, environmental factors, or medications, our goal is to provide solutions that go beyond the surface, promoting long-term skin health and confidence.
Professional Acne Treatments Tailored for You
We offer a range of advanced skincare treatments designed to deeply cleanse, rebalance, and heal your skin, including:
Acne Bootcamp: A Science-Backed Program for Clear Skin
Our Acne Bootcamp is a results-driven program that tackles acne at its source. This structured plan includes:
- A thorough skin assessment to determine the cause of your breakouts.
- A personalized home-care regimen designed to rebalance your skin.
- Regular professional treatments to accelerate skin healing and clear acne faster.
- Ongoing support & education so you can maintain long-term skin health.
Many of our clients see a dramatic improvement in their acne within just a few months with this program!
Hydrafacials: Deep-Cleansing & Skin Renewal
Acne-prone skin requires gentle yet effective exfoliation and hydration to stay balanced. Our Hydrafacial treatments deeply cleanse clogged pores, remove dead skin cells, and infuse the skin with hydrating, acne-fighting ingredients.
Hydrafacials are excellent for:
- Reducing active breakouts and preventing new pimples.
- Unclogging pores to remove excess oil and debris.
- Soothing inflammation and redness caused by acne.
- Improving overall skin texture and tone for a healthy glow.
One-on-One Skincare Consultations
If you're struggling to find the right skincare routine, we offer personalized skincare consultations to help you navigate the overwhelming world of acne treatments. During your consultation, we:
- Assess your skin’s unique needs and discuss possible acne triggers.
- Recommend the best products tailored for your skin type—without harsh ingredients that can make acne worse.
- Create a simple, effective skincare plan that fits your lifestyle and helps you achieve lasting results.
Acne is frustrating, but it’s not forever. By understanding your triggers and making the right lifestyle and skincare choices, you can achieve clearer, healthier skin.
If you found this guide helpful, share it with a friend who’s struggling with acne. And if you’re ready to take the next step, let’s chat – we’re here to help you glow!
