{"7139eaa1-a3c8-41e6-8bea-bbf2be110df9":"What Causes Acne?","8f4ed747-6538-42b3-9204-10e4e72f859a":"<p>Acne is rarely caused by just one factor. Instead, it usually develops due to a combination of internal and external influences affecting oil production, inflammation, skin cell turnover and bacteria within the pores.</p>","09b096a5-3744-49b5-aca3-68c5a759cee3":"<h3><span style=\"background-color:transparent;color:hsl(0,0%,100%);\">Hormonal Fluctuations  </span></h3><p> </p><p><span style=\"background-color:transparent;color:hsl(0,0%,100%);\">Hormones are one of the most common triggers of acne, which is why many women notice breakouts around their menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, when changing contraception, or during perimenopause. Androgens, the hormones that rise during puberty and fluctuate throughout adult life, can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, increasing the likelihood of blocked pores and inflammation.</span></p><h3> </h3><h3><span style=\"background-color:transparent;color:hsl(0,0%,100%);\">Stress </span></h3><p> </p><p><span style=\"background-color:transparent;color:hsl(0,0%,100%);\">Stress can also play a significant role. When you are under prolonged stress, your body produces higher levels of cortisol. This can increase oil production, worsen inflammation and slow skin healing, which is why many people notice their skin worsening during particularly busy or difficult periods.</span></p><p> </p><h3><span style=\"background-color:transparent;color:hsl(0,0%,100%);\">Genetics  </span></h3><p> </p><p><span style=\"background-color:transparent;color:hsl(0,0%,100%);\">If your parents experienced acne, you may be more likely to develop it too. Your genes influence how much oil your skin produces, how your immune system responds to bacteria, how easily your pores become blocked, and how prone your skin is to inflammation.</span></p><p> </p><h3><span style=\"background-color:transparent;color:hsl(0,0%,100%);\">Skincare Products and Habits  </span></h3><p> </p><p><span style=\"background-color:transparent;color:hsl(0,0%,100%);\">Your skincare routine can also make a significant difference. Using products that are too heavy or occlusive can contribute to congestion and blocked pores, while overly harsh or stripping cleansers can damage your skin barrier. When this happens, the skin often tries to compensate by producing even more oil, which can unintentionally make breakouts worse rather than better.</span></p>","00524f8a-98d9-4f47-b5d0-b4c407115118":[7016],"fb812f21-7614-47e0-b55a-8ed5607b5f4b":false}