Struggling with acne can be difficult. It is hard to figure out what helps, and it can really affect confidence and self esteem. Knowing effective tips to help manage acne can help in the quest for clear skin. While a comprehensive skincare routine is beneficial, it requires wider lifestyle changes to help acne. If you are questioning, does acne go away on its own? Is sun good for acne? Do cold showers help acne? Read on to find out!
Lifestyle changes to help Acne –
Can stress cause Acne?
While stress has not been proven as a direct cause of acne, it certainly can exacerbate the skin condition. Stress has an impact on the skin’s healing process, meaning acne symptoms take much longer to heal – and disappear! An acne breakout when stressed is likely to be more severe, and remain visible on the skin for longer. Stress also elevates cortisol levels in the body, causing an increase in sebum production. Therefore, acne breakouts are likely to be more frequent when stressed too. Working to minimise stress levels daily is a beneficial lifestyle change to help with acne. Stress can be reduced in a number of ways, e.g. by reducing caffeine intake, creating boundaries, practising self care and increasing physical exercise.
Does exercise help Acne?
By relieving stress levels, increased exercise does help those with acne-prone skin. However, that is not the only benefit of exercise for the skin. Physical activity can also level out blood sugar levels which, when elevated, can contribute to inflammation in the body, and acne breakouts. Regular workouts improve circulation, providing more oxygen to all of the cells in the body, building up the immune system and helping to combat inflammation, a key acne trigger. Finding a form of exercise that you enjoy doing, and implementing it into your daily life is a beneficial lifestyle change to help with acne.
Do cold showers help Acne?
After all of the exercising, a nice shower will help to remove any dirt and sweat from the skin. But, the ideal temperature of the shower is up for debate. Do cold showers help acne? The answer is yes! A regular cold shower is a beneficial lifestyle change to help with acne. If you frequently rinse with hot water, your skin can dry out, resulting in the stripping away of beneficial oils on your skin. As a result, the skin may begin to overproduce sebum to replenish moisture. Therefore, the excess sebum, and dry, dead skin cells may clog up the pores, causing acne. Showering in colder water can help to prevent this, while also relieving inflammation, boosting circulation and increasing endorphins.
Does the sun help Acne?
There are lots of skincare myths when it comes to acne-prone skin and the sun. While sunlight is a major source of vitamin D, and triggers the release of serotonin, over exposure can have largely detrimental effects on the skin. UVA rays can penetrate the skin, causing undesirable, long term effects such as pigmentation and premature ageing. UVB rays can cause redness and burning, and both types of radiation can lead to skin cancers. Some acne medications can also cause sensitivity to sunlight, increasing the risk even further. Applying SPF daily, and wearing protective clothes when necessary is a very beneficial lifestyle change to help with acne.
Does Acne go away on its own?
Acne commonly affects teenagers, and often begins to improve or disappear entirely when getting older. However, it can be a long process, and most acne sufferers have breakouts on and off for years before it clears up entirely. Following a healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced diet, and following a consistent skincare routine can all help to reduce acne symptoms.
