What's really setting off your skin — and what to do about it
| Redness, breakouts, and irritation rarely come out of nowhere. In most cases, a flare-up traces back to one of three sources. Here's the breakdown. |
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Stress & Hormonal Shifts
Cortisol spikes tell your skin's oil glands to ramp up production, which clogs pores and inflames existing sensitivities. Hormonal fluctuations — around your cycle, during puberty, or with certain medications — have a similar effect, often triggering breakouts along the jawline and chin.
Try: consistent sleep, stress-management habits, and tracking flare-ups against your cycle to spot patterns.
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Diet & Trigger Foods
High-glycemic foods (white bread, sugary snacks) cause blood sugar spikes that increase inflammation and oil production. Dairy is another common trigger for some people, likely tied to hormones present in milk. Reactions usually show up 1–3 days after eating, which makes the link easy to miss.
Try: a simple food-and-skin journal for 2–3 weeks to spot your personal triggers.
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Product & Environmental Irritants
Fragrance, harsh actives (like over-exfoliating with acids or retinoids), and new products introduced too quickly can compromise your skin barrier. Add in weather swings, pollution, and unwashed pillowcases, and your skin is fielding attacks from every direction.
Try: introduce one new product at a time, patch-test, and rebuild with fragrance-free basics if your barrier feels compromised.
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Not sure which of these is behind your flare-ups? One of our highly experienced Dermal Clinicians can help you narrow it down with a proper skin assessment.
