Can acne be the result of how you live your life? Not really, but everything you do affects your body, and your skin is not immune. Your job and how many hours you work can adversely affect your epidermis. Even your hobbies can cause damage to your skin. If you are prone to getting acne, this can be even more apt to happen. Here are some things that can cause breakouts and ways to combat them.

Some parts of your skin are always exposed to the environment you are in. It is important to be aware of the substances that regularly come in contact with your skin. You could be exposing your skin to comedogenic (pore clogging) substance and not even being aware of it. An example of this type of exposure can be found in the airborne grease from a fast food restaurant. It can create an invisible film on your skin and clogs your pores. Most industrial oils are comedogenic, for example, those used in cars, bicycles and in factories.

You may be surprised to learn that the best thing you can do for your skin is sleep. Scientist and mothers everywhere will tell you that a good night's sleep, consisting of at least eight hours, can do wonders for your complexion. So, how is it that sleep is so beneficial? If your body is well rested, it has the resources to build a strong immune system. While a healthy immune system will not prevent acne entirely, it can help battle infection so lesions clear up faster. The key is to maintain a regular sleeping schedule. If you work late, sleep late. Uninterrupted sleep in the daytime is just as beneficial as nighttime.

Exposure to sun can improve acne, however this is temporary benefit. Being out in the sun for prolonged periods can dry the skin and prod the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. This would cause the skin to shed old cells more often, this dead skin in contact with the excess oil produced creates the ideal environment for comedones (blocked pores).

It is vital that one use sunscreen for protection from the sun, when one is out in the sun for prolonged periods. For this one needs to find an oil free product with a minimum SPF 15 level and also with protection from UVA and UVB rays.

Stress can lead to development of acne. "Ninety percent of my patients complain about what stress does to their skin. It has a huge impact, and it's becoming a bigger problem every day," says Katie Rodan, MD, a clinical professor of dermatology at Stanford University.

Emotional anxiety caused from a number of factors in your life can read like a book on your face. This is purely a chemical connection. As you tense up, your adrenal glands start working, flooding your bloodstream with the hormone, cortisol. This causes the sweat glands in your face to produce more oil. When your sebaceous glands kick into high gear, it is very likely that this excess oil will mix with dead skin cells and clog your pores, trapping bacteria inside; thus resulting in more acne, primarily inflamed papules rather than blackheads or whiteheads.

It is highly unlikely you will be able to rid your entire life of stress. It is, after all, a normal part of life. A healthy lifestyle, however, can do much to diminish the damage. Make sure you eat well and get plenty of sleep every night, at least seven hours. These habits will help you ward off the negative effects stress can have on your body. Exercise of some sort, which could be as simple as taking a daily walk, is also good. You must also learn how to relax. Participation in calming activities like reading, taking a bath, and practicing yoga will help keep you content, which can go a long way toward keeping you healthy. This is vital for your entire body, not just your skin.