Causes of Acne

There are a few causes for acne. They act together to cause the characteristic pimples or zits, whiteheads and blackheads associated with acne. Acne occurs when the androgen hormones cause sebaceous glands to grow and produce more sebum (oily substance).

Hormones - Hormones are the number one reason, especially during puberty.
Sebaceous glands - Sebaceous glands are located deep in the skin. They vary in size, and the larger ones are associated with visible skin pores. The sebaceous glands are stimulated by hormones, specially the male hormones called androgens, mixing with dead skin cells, which leads to plugged pores and outbreaks. This is particularly true during the teenage years when androgen production is at its highest.
Blockage of skin pores - Oily skin occurs when an overactive sebaceous gland enlarges and overproduces oil. Acne begins in the hair follicles and 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.
Bacteria - Rising hormone levels during puberty cause the sebaceous glands to get bigger and produce more oil. The mixture of oil and cells helps bacteria to grow, eventually breaking the walls of the follicles. That's when sebum, bacteria and shed skin cells collect under the skin, causing inflammation, pain, redness and pus, causing acne.

There are many dermatologists that stress diet, sexual activity and other lifestyle factors do not cause acne. But, some parents and magazines keep following the saying that eating fatty foods such as chocolates, French fries and pizza will cause you to have acne. Early in the teen years is when most people start experiencing signs of acne, due to puberty. For pregnant women, it is because the body is changing, again hormones. Acne is also inherited. Severe cases known as cystic acne usually come from heredity.

Diet - There have been quite a few debates concerning diet as a culprit. Most chocolates, sweets and high fatty foods have been considered to cause acne. This is still a debate among parents of today’s teenagers and dermatologists.
Drugs and alcohol - Drugs and alcohol are also culprits in causing acne. When the body cleans itself, it sends drugs and alcohol out through the skin, through sweat. Then the pores clog: clogged pores are one of the reasons for acne. The skin pores become clogged and oils and dirt become trapped. They then become infected, which is what we call pimples, whiteheads and blackheads.
Stress - Stress brings upon different hormone levels. With hormone changes, the body prompts the skins oil glands to enlarge, secreting more oil. Which causes white heads, black heads and pimples.
Oily or heavy make-up is another cause of acne. Heavy make-up clogs the pores and oily make-ups add more oil, this only adds to the problem if oily skin already exist.
Vitamins - Vitamins are good for your body, but an excess of vitamins B1, B6 and B12 can cause acne flare-ups. These vitamins are good for the skin, but avoid overuse.

To prevent acne, wash your face every morning with a skin product that contains Benzoyl Peroxide or salicylic acid. Creams, lotions or gels containing glycolic acid also reduces bacteria that causes acne. If you have acne you more than likely do not need the use of moisturizer, but if you have the combination skin and need a moisturizer choose the oil free moisturizer, so it will not activate more problems. Finally, do not pick at pimples, all this does is make the area more inflamed and the pimple larger.

There are a few essential oils found in aromatherapy that are good for the skin, help control, and cure acne. When using essential oils like rosewood, which is an excellent skin healer, Atlas cedar wood, roman chamomile and neroli: remember to use them as a diluted concentrate. Some of these essential oils are too strong to use in full concentration. Use these oils with base oil such as wheat germ oil and jojoba oil.

Causes of Acne

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