There is not just one thing that causes acne. So many different things can cause it, that, trying to find the cause and cut that problem out, can often be difficult. Acne occurs when cells close to the surface of the skin block the openings to the sebaceous glands. When this happens, there is a buildup of sebum (oil) underneath the skin. This oil stimulates bacteria that is found on everyone’s skin and causes them to multiply because they feed on it. This multiplication results in inflammation of the surrounding tissues.

What Is Acne?

Most of the people who experience acne are between the ages of 12 and 25. However, adult onset acne is also quite common, so there are many individuals in their 30s and 40s who still experience acne outbreaks. Acne is usually found on the face, shoulders, back, and neck areas of the body, and is usually caused by oily skin. Unfortunately, many people who experience acne do all that they can to control their outbreaks to no avail. Education and practicing your dermatologist’s sound advice on a regular basis is the best that you can do to conquer this skin disorder, which can sometimes borderline on devastating. Acne is very common, affecting about 80 of every 100 young people.

Hormonal Causes of Acne

Fluctuation or an imbalance in hormonal levels are often listed as the main cause of acne. It’s a proven fact that in most people, this ailment develops during puberty, once the body starts to produce a certain type of hormone group, called androgens. These natural components of the human body determines the enlargement of sebaceous glands, which start to produce greater amounts of sebum. When this supplementary oil mixes with the dead skin cells or bacteria on the skin’s surface, the pores become blocked. This leads to an intense multiplication of bacteria inside the sebaceous glands and as a consequence an inflammatory process starts. Small spots and pustules appear and the more chemical products you apply for reducing these acne symptoms, the more they’ll develop, making the condition of your skin even worse.

Diet

Although there are no clear evidences to establish food as one of the causes of acne, it is believed that certain foods may lead to acne. Certain foods like chocolates and oily foods are said to cause acne in some people. Therefore, it is advisable to eat all healthy food for a healthy looking skin.

Genetic Factors

If there has been a history of acne in your family then you are very likely to be a sufferer of the same. Genetics carry it along and you can be affected by it.

Clogging of Skin Pores

Not only sebum but other factors like dead skin cells, excessive heavy or oily makeup, dirt etc cause clogging of the skin pores. Even though blocked pores are not the only reason behind acne but bacteria on your skin gets optimum breeding environment in the form of oily skin with choked pores. As a result puss is formed that further give rise to ugly pimples, blackheads and whiteheads etc.

Stress

Considerable amounts of stress and frustration, whether with life or with a job, can lead to acne. Tension causes the glands to close up and that results in the backup of sebum that would otherwise be released.

Vitamin Deficiency and Acne

When the human body lacks certain vitamins, it becomes more prone to illnesses, because the immune system is weakened. Vitamins and minerals are essential for maintaining optimum health. A deficiency in Vitamins A, B, E, Zinc and Vitamin C are all linked with acne development. Vitamins are great antioxidants and they help the skin to eliminate toxins and harmful free radicals. Without enough vitamins, the skin is more exposed to toxins and bacteria, therefore the risk of getting acne increases.

Unhealthy Lifestyle

Unhealthy lifestyle that includes improper sleep timings, stress, eating oily food and dairy products, lack of exercise, unhygienic environment etc are also the causes of acne.

Heavy And Oily Makeup

It’s not that you must not use make up at all. But, it is usually suggested to use light and water based makeup. Oily and heavy make up leads to clogging of pores thus leading to formation of pimples. Also, if you keep the make up on for much longer then it may lead to acne.

Certain Medications

A lot of hormonal medications also lead to acne. For eg.- Contraceptive pills can sometimes aggravate acne in women. Apart from this, certain stress medications can also cause acne.