Causes Of Acne

The sebaceous glands produce sebum in the skin. An overactivity of these glands causes acne. These glands start secreting excess sebum due to the hormone called testosterone, which is found naturally both in men and women. The dead cells that line the openings of the hair follicles are not shed properly and block the follicles and hence the flow of sebum. This causes oil to build up in the hair follicles.

Whiteheads and blackheads are formed as a result of this. In most people acne is limited to this stage of growth. Sometimes however, the sebum (oil) build up in hair follicles creates an environment for Propionibacterium Acne to grow. These bacteria normally reside harmlessly on the skin. When there is a build up of oil, they feed on this oil in the follicles causing a response from the body's immune system. This results in the sore red spots we know as pimples. Why acne forms in some hair follicles and not in others is unknown. Acne is the result of hormones, diet, evolutionary biology, stress and vitamin deficiency.