blemishes reason - #18813
I am trying to figure out the reasons for my sudden skin blemishes. I used to have pretty clear skin, but in the last couple of months, I've noticed these red, annoying blemishes popping up, mostly on my cheeks and forehead. At first, I thought it was just stress from work—I'm the type who juggles a lot of projects and sometimes forgets to take a breather. But then, I started paying attention to my diet. I wouldn’t say I eat junk all the time, but I’ve slipped into a more convenient food routine, ya know, quick meals instead of cooking healthy stuff. Wondering if that might be a reason? My friends suggested it could be hormones too. I’ve always had a bit of acne in my teens but thought I was over that phase. Then, I tried a new moisturizer that I liked but I guess it could’ve clogged my pores instead?? I'm honestly confused about whether any or all these factors could be the reason behind these blemishes. Is it possible that all these things combined contribute to the problem? Anyone had similar experiences? How did you figure out the real blemishes reason for your situation? What tests should I consider? I feel like I might be missing something here!
100% Anonymously
No sign-up needed.

Doctors' responses
Blemishes on your skin like the red ones you mentioned can indeed be attributed to a variety of factors, often working together. Stress can trigger or exacerbate acne due to hormones released into your system, notably cortisol, which could lead to more oil production or inflammation. Shifts in your diet, especially if you’re leaning toward more convenience foods, can influence skin health too. High-glycemic index foods, dairy products, and greasy options might contribute to acne in some individuals. If that new moisturizer is heavier or has oil-clogging ingredients for your skin type, it could certainly be causing or worsening your breakout. Consider switching to a non-comedogenic product to see if there’s any improvement. Hormonal fluctuations are another plausible cause, especially if you’ve experienced acne in the past. These can vary with life changes, menstrual cycles, or even environmental factors influencing your hormone levels.
A few actionable steps: Track your diet in greater detail to see if certain foods coincide with flare-ups. Aim to optimize your diet with more whole, unprocessed foods; this provides a baseline to eliminate potential dietary culprits. With stress, building consistent relaxation techniques into your routine like meditation or exercise can mitigate its impact on your skin. Adjust your skincare by selecting gentle, non-comedogenic cleansers and moisturizers, and monitor results over several weeks. For hormonal concerns, particularly if menstrual cycles are irregular or you notice other symptoms, consider consulting a healthcare provider for hormone level testing. They may suggest blood tests to assess your androgen levels which can affect your skin. If these changes don’t lead to improvements or if the skin issue worsens, visiting a dermatologist for a more detailed assessment and possibly skin tests might be beneficial. Identifying the root cause often requires some detective work but addressing each potential factor can give a clearer picture of what’s affecting your skin.
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.
About our doctors
Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.