This is a question virtually anyone with acne wants to know the answer to. Knowing what is causing your acne gives you the power to potentially stop the cause in its tracks, leaving you acne free and a great deal happier.

Of course, one of the easiest ways to figure out the answer to the reasons behind your acne is to visit your dermatologist. However, this may not always be possible. Perhaps you do not like doctors. Maybe you do not have the extra money to visit a dermatologist.

Or you are concerned the dermatologist may not know, and then you will be back to square one. The latter is a very real possibility; the dermatologist may not be entirely sure of the cause of your acne and simply provide you medication to get rid of it. Medication can be great, except you are now stuck using the medication until your pocketbook runs dry or you stop having outbreaks altogether.

It is time to take matters into your own hands. You need to consider all the angles and possibilities you may have acne, examine them yourself, and take steps towards changing any aspects that need changing. Some steps that can be taken may be small. Others may mean changing very large portions of your life. Asking yourself certain questions can lead you to the answers behind your acne.

What kinds of foods do you eat?
If you are constantly eating junk food and do not get enough fresh, healthy foods, then it is time to stop and rethink your diet. There has never been any proof that certain foods cause acne; chocolate has been debunked outright. However, there is a direct correlation between healthy skin and healthy eating.

Getting the right nutrition in your diet can help even out your skin, make your body function better, and lead to less acne outbreaks.

How much are you stressing?
Stress has been connected to acne. The more you stress, the more resulting acne will show up. If you realize you have been stressing more than normal, take a step back and examine your life. What is it that is causing you to become stressed? School? Work? Family? Something else? Find out what is behind your stress and do what you can to eliminate it. If your acne is really bad and you realize your job is behind your stress, you might do well in looking for a new job. You will have far less acne and a more relaxed life. A win win situation.

Are you in a place in your life where your hormones are imbalanced?

A huge reason behind acne is the hormones a body produces. When these hormones are fluctuating, they can cause sebaceous glands to act up, produce more oil, clog pores, and cause infections that lead to acne. Many things can cause your hormones to fluctuate.

Teens, because they go through puberty and have to deal with many changes, are particularly susceptible to hormones changes and hence, acne. Birth control actively meddles with hormones can may cause outbreaks of acne. The same can be said if you are pregnant. Even menopause can form a hiccup in your hormones and lead to a sudden outbreak of acne.

What are you putting on your face every day?

If you wear a lot of makeup, do not often wash your face, or constantly find yourself touching your face, you may be contributing to your acne problem. While makeup may not be doing it right away, if you put on makeup and fail to wash it off at night, you may be rubbing it into your pores during the course of the night.

Constantly touching your face with dirty hands and fingers may lead to you actively putting bacteria and other acne causing impurities into place. Check your routine and make sure whatever products you put on your face that may be helping cause acne are being removed before bed.

If not, make sure you keep your face clean to help reduce the possibilities of extra dirt and oil buildup. Avoid touching your face with your hands; all these may help reduce your chances of dealing with an acne outbreak.

Taking a look at the way you run your life and making the right adjustments can help in your fight against acne. Making the necessary changes and combining them with acne medication may help you significantly reduce acne and give you peace of mind.