What Causes Acne?
Acne develops when hair follicles become clogged with excess sebum (oil), dead skin cells, and bacteria. Numerous elements play a part in this process:
1. Excessive Production of Sebum Sebum, or oil, is produced by the skin's sebaceous glands to keep it hydrated. However, too much sebum can block pores and cause acne when these glands become hyperactive.
2. Dead skin cells and clogged pores Although dead skin cells naturally fall off, they can build up and obstruct hair follicles when they combine with too much oil. This provides the perfect setting for acne-causing bacteria to thrive.
3. Growth of Bacteria Although Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a naturally occurring bacterium on the skin, plugged pores can cause it to grow quickly. Red, puffy pimples are the result of inflammation caused by this.
4. Hormonal Fluctuation Hormonal changes are a major cause of acne because hormones, especially androgens, can cause an increase in oil production. This explains why acne is prevalent during menstruation, adolescence, and pregnancy.
5. Environmental and Lifestyle Factors
Acne can also result from poor skincare practices, nutrition, stress, and pollution. Some people have had breakouts after consuming dairy products and diets rich in glucose.