What Causes Acne?

Acne is the result of many factors coming together. Some of the major factors are 

• Overactive oil glands
• Blockage of the skin pores
• Activity of normal skin bacteria
• Inflammation
• Cosmetics
• Genetics

Overactive Oil Glands - Oil glands (sebaceous glands) are located deep in the skin and produce oil (know as sebum). Each gland is connected to a hair follicle and the sebum flows to the surface of the skin through the follicles. The sebum lubricates the canals and through the pores it lubricates the surrounding skin surface.

The adrenal glands produce a hormone called androgens (a male hormone which women also have though in less quantity) which stimulate the production of sebum by the oil glands.

During puberty, the oil glands become overactive in response to hormonal changes.

During times of stress, the adrenal glands produce increased levels of these hormones, causing even greater enlargement of the oil glands.

In addition to puberty, women may see considerable hormonal fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, menopause and perimenopause. During these life phases, acne is most likely to develop or flare up.  

Blockage Of The Skin Pores - Oily skin occurs when an overactive oil gland enlarges and overproduces oil. Acne develops when some of the pores (through which oil normally flows from the oil gland to reach the skin surface) become blocked, resulting in trapping of oil within the skin pores.

The pores are blocked by skin cells that have been shed from the lining of the skin pore and have bunched together. The cause for this clogging is not known, but it is not due to poor hygiene. A blackhead or whitehead will develop from this skin pore blockage.  

Activity Of Normal Skin Bacteria - Although acne is not caused by a bacterial infection, bacteria do play a role in making the situation worse. The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), is a normal part of the skin surface. It keeps the skin from being invaded by harmful bacteria.

When oil is trapped in the hair follicles, the normal skin bacteria P. acnes will grow in the blocked pore. The bacteria produce chemicals that alter the composition of the oil, which makes it more irritating to the skin and causes inflammation.

Inflammation - Inflamed skin is characterized by redness, swelling, warmth and discomfort. Inflammation of the skin occurs because the body's immune system is acting to rid itself of a foreign substance. In the case of acne, this substance is either bacteria or the irritating compounds they have produced.

Cosmetics - Acne can be caused by oily cosmetics, comedogenic skin care or hair care products, certain drugs such as steroids and estrogen medications.

Genetics - Statistics suggest that acne tends to run in families. If your parents had acne at any point in their lives, your chance of developing acne is higher.

RELATED INFORMATION

» Learn more about the sebaceous glands that are located in the dermis layer of your skin

» Read more about acne

   - What is acne

   - Signs of acne