Since we are all working from home, some people tend to skip on cleansing or don't do their regular skincare routine. So how does this lead to breakouts/clogged skin?

Cleansing removes excess sebum, dead skin cells as well as make up and skin care products from our skin. It is recommended to cleanse your face once to twice a day with a cleanser, especially for oily skin types.

Being lazy with this step leads to build up of sebum and dead skin cells in our skin follicles and encourages the growth of Proprionibacterium acnes. This leads to inflammation of our sebaceous glands and acne.

What other factors or reason could lead to breakouts in the skin?

i. Lack of regular skin exfoliation leads to a build-up of dead skin cells in our skin follicles and causes the formation of comedones and acne. Exfoliation not only helps to remove the dull outer layer of our skin, but also allows for better penetration of our skin care products.

ii. Cloth or surgical face masks can cause Acne Mechanica. Whereby the prolong wear of face mask causes friction and occludes the skin, leading to acne along the jawline and cheeks.

Do you also think being stressed about the whole current situation can show on our skin? And how does stress lead to breakouts?

Yes, stress is a common trigger of acne.
When we are stressed, our brain stimulates our adrenal glands to release Cortisol, a steroid hormone. Cortisol stimulates our sebaceous glands to produce sebum, which causes our skin to be oily and clog more easily.

Other than the points above, are there any other factors that can lead to breakouts on the skin?

In the comforts of working from home, we may subconsciously touch our faces more often and be tempted to pick at the occasional pimple. Picking or popping acne with improper equipment or technique may lead to more inflammation, scarring and more breakouts.