The main reasons for frequent breakouts include excess oil production, clogged hair follicles with dead skin cells and bacteria, hormone fluctuations, stress, certain skin care products, insufficient sleep, smoking, and contact with bacteria from dirty pillowcases or touching the face. Hormonal changes around puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause can stimulate oil glands to produce more sebum, leading to breakouts. Stress triggers hormones that increase oil production and inflammation in the skin. Using oil-based or pore- clogging skin products, overusing acne treatments causing irritation, and poor hygiene practices such as infrequent washing of pillowcases or resting the face on dirty surfaces can also cause or worsen breakouts. Additionally, diet and some medications may contribute to acne flare-ups.
In short, breakouts happen when pores get clogged by oil and dead skin cells, sometimes infected by bacteria, and factors like hormones, stress, hygiene, skin products, and lifestyle greatly influence how much and how often breakouts occur.
