Acne is caused by a combination of genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, and to a lesser degree, factors such as stress, diet, and use of the wrong skincare and cosmetics.
Genetic Predisposition: Genetics determine the sensitivity of oil glands in our skin
to certain acne-causing hormones. When we have acne, the pores of our skin
form an oil plug, which causes the glands to enlarge and bacteria to grow,
producing the characteristic redness and inflammation of acne.
Hormonal Changes: With hormonal acne, our skin's oil glands tend to be more
sensitive to certain hormones. An imbalance in these hormones can lead to more
(and more severe) breakouts.
Stress: When we are stressed, our acne can get worse. Stress can and does
suppress our immune system, which can weaken our body’s ability to defend
against acne bacteria and inflammation.
Diet: There is definitely evidence that certain dietary choices and habits can have
an affect—for better or worse—on our skin. While cutting out entire food groups is
not recommended, research shows that certain dietary choices can trigger or
exacerbate acne breakouts.
Makeup: Using the wrong makeup can clog our pores and cause or worsen
existing breakouts. However, makeup products marked "oil-free", "non-
comedogenic", or specifically for acne prone skin are generally safer to use with
acne.
For an even more in-depth explanation on the causes of acne and to learn more about all-things acne prevention, check out the MDacne blog!