What Is Acne

Besides being annoying, frustrating and seemingly never-ending, Acne is technically an inflammatory disorder of the sebaceous glands (wow bet you feel better now!). Its incredibly common and can strike at any age. Though it tends to rear its ugly head around puberty, it can strike in your twenties, thirties and beyond. Breakouts tend to occur where sebaceous glands are most prominent - face, back & chest.

 What Causes Acne?

There are three main factors that are to blame for breakouts.

Excess Production of Sebum

Sebum is essential to healthy skin, it provides a protective layer and acts as your skins natural moisturizer but when production gets out of control that’s when the trouble really starts. I’m afraid its time to get hormonal and its all down to testosterone (and believe it or not this manly little hormone is present in women too!). Some of us are incredibly reactive to the presence of testosterone. Sensitivity to testosterone causes sebum production to go into overdrive and as a consequence excess oil is produced.

Slow Shedding of Skin Cells

In a perfect world, dead skin cells should slough off naturally but in reality they don’t. Though a good cleansing routine certainly helps the process; sometimes dead skin cells and other debris collect in the hair follicle causing irritation and creating the ideal breeding ground for zit causing bacteria.

Bacteria Buildup

The bacteria that causes acne (Propionibacterium Acnes) happily resides on everyone’s skin and usually causes absolutely no problems at all. But add in the previous two problems and you create the perfect environment for a breakout to occur. The bacteria multiplies, inflammation ensues and a breakout occurs.

Other Factors That May Cause Breakouts

Hormonal Changes

These really have an effect on the amount of testosterone produced so acne breakouts tend to occur in teenage years (that lovely rollercoaster ride of horrid hormonal fluctuation), breakouts also occur 4-5 days before the start of your period. Also don’t think that pregnancy will guarantee you glowing skin as hormonal disruption means that a breakout may well occur.

Medications

If you are currently using medication, check with your Dr as some meds (such as cortisone) can cause breakouts.

Family History

Yes, I’m afraid acne can be hereditary; so its something else you can blame on your parents.

Harsh Cleansing Products

Acne breakouts should be treat gently, forget all the harsh products. Chemical laden products just dry out the skin and irritate it even further (remember it is an inflammatory condition). Scrubbing away at the skin and constantly bombarding it with harsh products only makes matters worse.