Growing up with severe cystic acne has been a huge and everlasting negative factor in my life. Now that I have kids, the question of, “Is acne genetic?” has been on my mind. While I realize that genetics have a lot to do with the severity of breakouts, I believe other factors can also influence acne. Here are all the things I’ll advise them to do differently to help them try to manage their acne, if they have it.
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How To Beat Genetic Acne
I’ve learned a lot about self-love as well as more skincare knowledge over my 15 years (and counting) experience with acne. I am happy to pass along this knowledge to my kids one day if they need it. My goal is to help them avoid the same mistakes I made as an acne sufferer and possibly avoid Accutane.
To start:
Better Skincare Knowledge
If there is one thing I can be grateful about from having acne, it’s that I became very invested (obessed?) in my skin and how to fix it.
Avoid Irritating Products
Growing up, I used the worst products – too harsh, drying, and wrong for my face. I will make sure my kids avoid harsh exfoliating products like the almond apricot scrubs I thought would erase my acne and scars. This also goes for the other products I would layer on that were loaded with alcohol and sulfates. Those ingredients dried out my skin and caused more problems, even though I didn’t realize it at the time.
I also went too hard on the acne creams, like benzoyl peroxide. Instead of buffering it with a lotion, or using it every other day I desperately slathered it on every night hoping for the acne to go away. This just left me with irritated skin, and over time I gave up on it.
Repair The Skin Barrier With Probiotics
As mentioned above, I dried out and weakened my skin with the wrong products. This led to a damaged skin barrier. Later on, I found out how important the skin barrier is in battling breakouts, and the overall health of the skin.
Now, I know to avoid those harsh products but also incorporate probiotic skincare into the mix which is great for repairing the skin and acne.
Read More: The Best Probiotic Skincare For Acne + How It Works Like Magic
Incorporating My Skincare Favorites
I began to do more research on actives I could use at home. I have some skincare favorites that have changed my skin for the better. These can also work for a beginner or teenager getting into skincare.
Rosehip and Vitamin C are some examples. They are great for younger skin and aren’t as intimidating as something like retinol. Vitamin C will help clear acne and fight free radicals. Rosehip oil is such a game-changer, it makes my skin soft and glowy. I was skeptical that oil could really change my skin as much as it did, but I’m so glad I gave it a shot.
Rosehip oil is great for acne because it contains linoleic acids. This is what’s missing in acne-prone skin – without slinky linoleic acids, the sebum on the skin becomes sticky and clogs pores easily.
I’ve been trying out more rosehip oils, but so far Pai BioRegenerate Facial Oil is a winner.
Read More: Rosehip Oil For Face: Rosehip Oil Benefits + 5 Affordable Options
Eat A Better Diet
This one is a big part of why my acne and overall life vibe was “blah” during my teenage years. I ate terribly. My diet was full of sugar and processed food.
There is such a thing as the gut-skin connection, which I did not know of. What I ate reflected through my skin and body. Sugar is also known to aggravate acne, which can explain at least some of my constant breakouts.
It is very important to me that I teach my kids the importance of eating real, nourishing foods for their skin but also their health.
Read More: Use Food to Help with Acne: 8 Incredibly Valuable Tips
Self Love!
This one is big. I want my kids to be happy and not be so hard on themselves if they have acne. It is something that we will get through and that I will support them with because I know how mentally tough cystic acne can be to experience.
That is my side of the story, now here’s the answer to some questions you might also have:
Is Acne Genetic?
While there isn’t a certain acne gene that directly causes acne, it is true that acne can run in families due to genetics that causes your skin to be prone to it.
Is Acne Inherited From Mother Or Father?
As mentioned above, it is genetics that causes you to “inherit” acne. This can come from the mother or father. In my case, my dad had bad acne as a teen, while my mom had flawless skin.
Now, my husband has flawless skin – so I hope those genetics come into play for my kids!
Does Acne Run In The Family?
Definitely. My dad’s side suffered from acne, and my sister also had to go on Accutane. Her skin was less prone to pitted acne scarring though, which is lucky for her. Now, you can’t tell she once had acne. My skin still has some scarring left behind. Here are the ways I’m dealing with it at home:
Read More: How To Get Rid of Pitted Acne Scars [Realistic Ways]
I am confident that trying out the tips I mentioned above can help my children avoid dealing with severe acne! But, if Accutane turns out to be the last resort then I will be there for them too, having experienced it already.
I hope this helps and if you are suffering from acne that’s genetic I hope this article and the ones linked can help you. Let me know your questions!
Best, Mia
This content is for informational purposes only, and what has worked for me personally based on my own opinions. I am not a professional/medical doctor, and you should always consult your doctor or dermatologist on what will work best for you. The information presented here is not legitimate, official advice from a professional. If you choose to rely on any information from this blog, you do so at your own risk. Please refer to the “Blog Disclaimer” tab in the menu bar to read more information and the official disclaimer statement.
