What Causes Spots & Pimples On The Face?

The most common skin disease in the United States, acne breakouts usually strike in the teen years, but can persist well into adulthood. Acne forms when the skin’s sebaceous glands produce too much oil, which mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria. The result is an acne lesion — usually called a pimple, blemish or zit. While as of 2011 the exact cause of breakouts remains a mystery, dermatologists and skin-care professionals believe that certain factors can exacerbate acne.

Hormonal Changes

Hormones, specifically androgens, have been linked to breakouts. Androgens can make the sebaceous glands work overtime, resulting in more oil and sebum, which can equal more pimples. Although common in the teen years, hormonal fluctuations can also occur around an adult woman’s menstrual cycle, during pregnancy and after going off birth-control pills, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains.

Diet

Conventional wisdom would have you believe that there is no link between diet and acne, but some skin-care experts disagree. Since acne is a chronic, inflammatory condition, some evidence suggests that high glycemic foods such as refined sugars and starches create inflammation in the body, resulting in pimple breakouts. A study published in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 2007 found that acne-prone patients who adopted a low-glycemic diet for 12 weeks saw a reduction in acne lesions.

Cosmetics

Certain oil-based cosmetics that contain vegetable or animal fats can clog pores and worsen acne-prone skin. Examine the labels of any cosmetics or skin care products you are currently putting on your face and toss those that aren’t noncomedogenic, or non-acne-causing.

Emotional Stress

Stressful events such as school exams or workplace pressures can aggravate breakouts by stimulating hormones, causing increased oil production. While certain stressors are unavoidable, engaging in regular exercise or yoga can help reduce your overall stress level and soothe skin flare-ups in the process.

Treatment

While there is no cure for acne as of 2011, various treatments can help to keep breakouts under control. If your breakouts are limited to a the occasional spot, a trip to the drugstore for some over-the-counter medication such as salicylic acid may be all that is required. If your breakouts are more extensive, a dermatologist or skin-care professional can prescribe topical or oral medication to help you get a handle on your flare-ups.