What Are the Causes of Acne and Pimples?

Acne is a common skin condition that can lead to the development of several types of skin eruptions like whiteheads and blackheads, cysts and pustules, according to Medline Plus. Acne eruptions are rooted in the activity of sebaceous glands, found at the bottom of hair follicles, which help keep skin and hair lubricated.

Cause
A three-fold process causes acne, according to the Mayo Clinic. The sebaceous glands overproduce an oil called sebum, hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells and bacterial infection develops. The Mayo Clinic reports that the process behind the overproduction of sebum is not well understood, although there may be genetic, medical, bacterial and hormonal causes. The type of eruption that develops depends on the conditions at a particular site; when bulges around follicles are open at the top, blackheads develop, while closed bulges lead to whiteheads; pustules (pimples) are irritated areas around a follicle with pus at the center, and cysts form when the infection runs deeper, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Contributing Factors
A number of factors can contribute to the development of acne symptoms. According to Medline Plus, these include genetics (having family members who also have acne), changes in hormones, using greasy skin and hair care products, using certain medications like steroids and hormones, and high humidity leading to sweating. Acne symptoms are related to age, and the condition most severely affects teenagers, according to Medline Plus; however, anyone can develop acne skin eruptions.

Myths
Some people believe that eating chocolate and greasy foods leads to the development of acne. According to Medline Plus, there is no evidence to support this. However, the Mayo Clinic reports that research is currently being conducted to discover whether the consumption of foods high in starch contributes to the condition. The Mayo Clinic also cautions that excessive scrubbing and removal of dirt in acne can actually make symptoms worse.

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