Common Causes of Acne

Thousands upon thousands of searches for keywords like "acne cause", "acne acne cause inc", "acne cause cystic", "acne adult cause" and thousands more like this are conducted by folks like you and I each and every month. From these all these searches one thing is clear, the causes of acne are still not fully understood by a lot of people.

Perhaps you are one of them and that's ok because I am writing this article for you. I've been suffering from acne for several years. I have done a fair bit of research on acne causes over the years and will share that with you.

I always asked myself, why, why do I have acne and other people not. But worldwide there about 100 million people who suffering from acne like I did. I did some research and talked to my doctor to find the most common causes of acne. I've listed some of the more common causes of acne as follows: (visit my acne treatment review page)

Cause of acne #1 Hormones: The number one cause of acne is the production of sex hormones, known as androgens, which begins at puberty. This is why majority of acne sufferers are adolescents and teens. Hormones are also responsible for acne flare-ups during menstruation and pregnancy. The female body goes through extreme changes in hormone levels during this time.

When the sebaceous gland is stimulated by androgens, it produces extra sebum. In its journey up the follicle toward the surface, the sebum mixes with common skin bacteria and dead skin cells that have been shed from the lining of the follicle. While this process is normal, the presence of extra sebum in the follicle increases the chances of clogging; which results in the formation of acne.

2nd Cause of Acne - Stress: can also cause the production of hormones, such as cortisol, which can aggravate acne. Stress brings upon different hormone levels. With hormone changes the body prompts the skins oil glands to enlarge, secreting more oil. Which causes whiteheads, blackheads and pimples.

3rd Cause of Acne - Oily or heavy make up: Heavy make-up clogs the skin pores and oily make-ups add more oil, which only adds to the problem if oily skin already exists. Cosmetics, especially certain moisturizers, foundations and pomades contain lanolin, petrolatum, vegetable oils, butyl stearate, lauryl alcohol and oleic acid.

4th Cause of Acne - Certain medications and steroids: 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.

5th Acne Cause- Diets: For some people, a diet that is high in refined carbohydrates and sugars can actually aggravate their acne.

6th Cause Acne - Over abrasive cleansing: Harsh exfoliators can damage skin and spread infections.

7th Acne Cause - Picking and squeezing: This can actually send the infection deeper into the skin and can cause scarring.

8th Cause of Acne - Environmental irritants: such as high humidity and pollution. High humidity actually causes swelling of skin. Pollution is of course is a big cause for clogging your pores.

9th Cause of Acne - Genes: Family members who are also acne sufferers. Acne is inherited and severe cases known as cystic acne usually come from heredity.