Understanding What Causes Acne Helps in Fighting It

Understanding what causes acne is the first step in launching a successful attack against it.

Acne is a condition that results in various kinds of irregular bumps on the surface of the skin. You have no doubt heard these bumps referred to as whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and zits.

A brief biology lesson is in order to fully understand what causes acne (no groaning, please – it will be short and sweet).

Here goes…

Hair grows from openings in the skin called hair follicles or pores. In each hair follicle is something called a sebaceous gland. The job of a sebaceous gland it to produce oil (called sebum) to moisturize your skin. The amount of oil produced by the sebaceous glands is regulated by hormones.

All of us have bacteria living on our skin. One particular kind of bacteria, propionibacterium acnes, lives on sebum. The more sebum, the more bacteria.

Almost done…

Under normal conditions, the oil is excreted onto the surface of the skin, where it does its job of moisturizing. But sometimes, things go awry. If the follicle becomes clogged, most commonly by excess oil and/or dead skin cells, the bacteria multiply.

Our body's natural response to bacteria is to send white blood cells to kill off the offending microorganisms. This process causes inflammation in the follicle – in short, acne.

So what causes acne? Basically, acne forms when your pores become clogged.

Are you wondering why I didn't just say that in the first place?

Because when you understand the details behind what causes acne – the excess oil, the dead skin cells, and the bacteria – the basic treatment approach becomes very clear.

First, minimize the excess oil… Second, remove the dead skin cells… And third, get rid of the bacteria.

Of course, it's a little more complicated than that. There are lots and lots of options for doing any one of these things. And what works for one person may not work for the next. In addition, a good basic skin care regimen may not be enough. You may need to seek the help of a doctor if your acne persists.

As important as understanding what causes acne is understanding what doesn't. While it's true that food allergies can cause breakouts, acne is not caused by any particular food. It's also not caused by stress. However, it does make sense that a healthy, stress-free lifestyle will give you a healthier body, and that includes your skin. And also keep in mind that while these things may not cause acne, they could possibly make it worse. So eat right, get plenty of rest, and exercise to give your body the best chance of fighting back.

A little knowledge can go a long way in helping you win the battle against acne. It's important to understand the underlying cause in order to choose the best treatment options. You may also have to experiment with different products and approaches, from all-natural to chemical-based, from over-the-counter to prescription.