By the time they reach their mid-teens, more than 40% of teenagers have acne or acne scarring. Indeed, nearly 85% of people have acne on their face, chest, or back at some point in their lives. It is the most common skin disorder in the U.S., affecting 40 to 50 million Americans.
Its pervasiveness is undisputed, and many people put a lot of time, effort, and money into curing their acne and acne scars. Products like acne pads, private label skin care, and natural skin products all claim to alleviate the symptoms of acne, and depending on personal skin types and texture, many of them work. So the real question is: why do people get acne in the first place?
Acne Causes
Sebum
Acne can be caused by sebum, which is an oil that lubricates your hair and skin. Most of the time, sebaceous glands (or oil glands) make just the right amount of sebum, but sometimes, too much is produced and clog the pores, along with dead skin cells. Bacteria gets trapped in those pores and starts the swelling and redness that indicates the beginnings of acne.
Your Body
Acne can also be caused by many things. For teens and adults, many times it is hormonal changes that tell sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Life changes like menopause, or stopping birth control pills can trigger outbreaks. Sometimes, medications, including lithium, anti-seizure drugs, and corticosteroids can cause acne.
Androgen
Many scientists believe that the leading cause of acne is a rise in androgen levels. Androgens are a type of hormone particularly common in adolescents. These rising levels make oil glands underneath your skin grow, which in turn produces more oil. Since we know that excessive sebum can break down cellular walls inside of your pores, bacteria is more likely to grow.
Genetics
Some studies have pointed towards evidence that acne could be genetic, at least in part. It is very clear that greasy cosmetics -- and other products touching the face -- can cause outbreaks.
Despite the causes, cosmetic scientists and skin care providers have discovered many very effective products, like acne pads and face washes, to combat acne.
