What Causes Acne?

If you’ve ever had a glowering, ominous zit stare back at you when you looked in a mirror, you’ve probably thought the same thing we all think: “Why me?!” It seems like it would be simple enough to just find the cause of acne, eliminate it and be on our merry ways. Unfortunately, there isn’t just one cause. Before you can rid the world (or at least your next yearbook picture) of acne, it will be helpful to learn the roots of this evil.

Before you can find the cause of acne, you must understand what acne is. A pimple doesn’t actually appear for a week or more after the process actually begins within your pores. In healthy skin, the oil (sebaceous) gland produces sebum that surfaces through the follicle (pore) and flushes away the dead skin cells. At times, however, an over production of sebum can clog the follicle with the dead skin cells and oils. This is called a plugged duct and allows bacteria to grow within it. When the body attacks the infection within the plugged duct, it causes inflammation. If the follicle wall breaks down, all the infection spills out onto the surface of the skin, resulting in a breakout.

The reason most of us aren’t met with our skin’s worst nightmare until high school or so is one of the main causes of an over acne: hormones. The hormones that change everything we knew about life as a preteen are called androgens. These hormones, and some that increase during pregnancy, cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge, over produce and clog your pores. Hormonal changes associated with emotional stress and menstrual periods can have this same effect.

The environment will also attack your skin without you even realizing it. Some of the elements that affect our skin are out of our control. Things such as humidity, pollution, dirt and dust are all linked to poor skin health. We aren’t totally helpless, though. Monitoring the kinds of makeup or cosmetics used on your skin, washing your face properly, cleansing your colon, and avoiding rubbing and irritating your skin will knock out a few acne-causing factors.

While it is highly contested whether or not diet is a cause of acne, it goes without saying that if your insides are healthy your outsides will be healthy. It is uncertain whether foods like grease or chocolate are a universal cause of acne. However, if your body is poorly digesting and flushing toxins from your body, you may see the effects on your skin. It is always a good idea to eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water, no matter the cosmetic reaction.

Medicines, allergies and heredity are also contributors to the acne problem, making it seem virtually impossible to prevent breakouts. While it may not be possible to completely avoid ever having a pimple, you can always do your best to maintain a healthy body. If you are doing your best to be healthy, then you can confidently tackle acne- one irritating little pimple at a time.

For more information on skin care visit the National Skin Centre to learn about other skin diseases and the different types of acne conditions.