Acne is caused by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and local factors acting on the oil-producing (sebaceous) glands of the skin. These glands function as the skin's natural moisturiser, and they are most numerous on the face.
A pimple develops when the following three changes occur:
The Gland Opening (Pore) Becomes Blocked: The gland opening is either naturally narrow, or the cells lining the opening become 'sticky' and clump together to cause a blockage. When this happens, the natural oil cannot escape onto the skin surface. This causes the gland to swell which we see as a 'whitehead'. Clogged pores - whiteheads and blackheads - are especially common during puberty and adolescence, or when using the wrong skincare and skincare for your skin.
Bacterial Growth: When the glands become blocked, a perfect environment is created for the normally harmless bacteria that live in the glands, to multiply.
Inflammation: When those bacteria multiply, inflammation occurs, which we call pimples and acne.
This is how acne develops. Acne is not the result of unclean skin or eating the wrong foods!
