Top 3 Reasons Your Skin Keeps Breaking Out (Beyond Skincare)

Many people assume that acne is only about skincare, that the right cleanser or serum will fix everything. But if you’re following a good routine and your skin still won’t cooperate, the problem may lie deeper than your products.

As dermatologists, we see this every day: glowing routines paired with persistent breakouts. The truth is, acne isn’t just a surface-level issue. While clogged pores and bacteria play their part, underlying triggers often come from lifestyle, hormones, and everyday habits that your skincare can’t always fix.

Let’s talk about the top three non-skincare reasons your skin keeps breaking out and what you can actually do about them.

1. Hormonal Fluctuations: The Silent Saboteur

If you’ve ever noticed breakouts appearing around your jawline before your period or during stressful weeks, hormones are the likely culprit.

What’s Happening Under the Skin

Your body’s oil glands respond strongly to androgens (hormones like testosterone). When these hormones fluctuate due to stress, menstrual cycles, or health conditions such as PCOS, your oil glands go into overdrive. More oil means more clogged pores and a greater chance for inflammation.

This is why hormonal acne often appears along the chin, jawline, and lower cheeks areas rich in oil glands and sensitive to hormonal shifts.

How to Manage It

• Track your breakouts in relation to your menstrual cycle; patterns often reveal hormonal involvement.
  
• Manage stress through consistent sleep, exercise, and relaxation techniques.
  
• Discuss options with a dermatologist. Hormonal acne often responds well to topical retinoids, oral contraceptives, or anti-androgen medications prescribed after evaluation.
  
• Keep skincare gentle during flare-ups. Over-drying or scrubbing will only worsen inflammation.
  

Balanced hormones take time, but once stabilized, your skin follows suit.

2. Your Diet May Be Working Against You

We often underestimate how much our diet influences our skin. While no food single-handedly “causes” acne, certain dietary patterns can make breakouts more frequent and stubborn.

The Culprits

• High-glycaemic foods (white bread, sugary snacks, soft drinks) spike insulin, which increases IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) — a hormone linked to excess sebum production.
  
• Dairy products, especially milk, may trigger inflammation and hormonal imbalance in some people.
  
• Diets rich in processed oils or trans fats can amplify oxidative stress, making acne-prone skin more reactive.
  

What Helps Instead

• Focus on a low-glycaemic, anti-inflammatory diet: think whole grains, colourful vegetables, lean proteins, and omega-3-rich foods like walnuts or flaxseeds.
  
• Hydrate — dehydration can overstimulate sebum production, increasing the likelihood of clogged pores.
  
• Don’t restrict yourself harshly; balance is key. Small consistent dietary tweaks often make a big difference over time.
  

Your skin is a reflection of what’s happening inside your body. Treat it kindly from within as much as you do on the surface.

3. Stress and Lifestyle Factors: The Hidden Breakout Triggers

It’s not just a saying, stress really does show on your skin. Chronic stress affects your hormonal balance, immune system, and even the way your skin repairs itself.

The Stress-Skin Connection

When you’re under pressure, your body releases cortisol, a stress hormone that can:

• Increase oil production.
  
• Disrupt your skin’s barrier function.
  
• Delay healing of existing pimples.
  

Additionally, stress leads to small habits that worsen acne: touching your face more often, skipping your skincare routine, or stress-eating sugary foods.

The Modern Lifestyle Link

Lack of sleep, long screen time, and exposure to pollution all contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress, both key drivers of breakouts.

How to Break the Cycle

• Aim for 7–8 hours of quality sleep; your skin repairs itself most during deep sleep.
  
• Try stress-reducing habits like journaling, breathing exercises, or short walks outdoors.
  
• Keep your phone and pillowcase clean both accumulate oil and bacteria.
  
• Prioritize consistency. Occasional late nights won’t ruin your skin, but chronic imbalance will.
  

Even the most effective skincare can’t outdo the effects of unrelenting stress.

When to See a Dermatologist

If your acne persists despite a balanced lifestyle and good skincare, it may be time for a professional opinion. A dermatologist can:

• Identify hidden triggers like hormonal imbalances or medication effects.
  
• Suggest targeted treatments such as prescription retinoids, antibiotics, or hormonal therapies.
  
• Customize a skincare routine suited to your skin type and lifestyle.
  

Persistent breakouts aren’t just a cosmetic concern; they can impact self-esteem and skin health long-term. Early intervention helps prevent scarring and chronic inflammation.

Bringing It All Together

Skincare products play an important role, but they can’t always fight what’s happening inside the body. Acne is influenced by internal hormones, lifestyle, diet, and stress, all of which shape how your skin behaves.

To summarize:

• Balance your hormones with stress management and professional guidance.
  
• Eat mindfully, favouring low-glycaemic, anti-inflammatory foods.
  
• Prioritize rest and mental health to keep cortisol levels stable.
  

Supporting your skin from both the inside and outside makes a visible difference.

For those managing recurring acne, dermatologist-formulated routines like Dr. Su’s Skincare Collection can help strengthen your barrier and regulate oil production, giving your skin the best chance to heal and stay clear.