There are two things you want to think about when it comes to acne – causes and triggers. For the most part, the causes are the same for almost everyone. Where people start to differ is in what triggers their acne.
When it comes to the causes of acne, there are a lot of debates. The most common causes of acne include: bacteria, clogged pores, triggers, cosmetics or skin care products.
Clogged Pores
Clogged pores occur due to old skin cells that are still on the skin. Whether someone is not using a mild scrub to remove the excess skin cells, or the subject has Retention Hyperkeratosis where your skin cells replicate very quickly, the outcome is the same. With these extra skin cells on your face, and then the mixture of sebum (oil), it causes a sticky mixture that blocks your pores up. This gets stuck in the hair follicles, and before you know it, your pores are clogged. This is how the acne forms.
Bacterial Growth
In this hair follicle, this sticky mixture of cells and sebum is now stuck in place. Oxygen is trying to get down to the opening of the hair follicle, but can’t reach it. This is how the acne bacteria form. Now you have a hair follicle with bacteria growing, no oxygen can get through, and next thing you know you start to have inflammation.
Inflammation
The pimple is forming, and pushes against the hair follicle. At the point of the hair follicle wall breaking, these bacteria spill into the skin around it. Pus starts to fill up around the hair follicle, and a pimple is now a small infection. It presents itself as a red irritation, and as it slowly fills up with pus, becomes a whitehead. Cystic acne is a deeper infection.
Often times skin care products or cosmetics can lead to acne problems. Some products have fatty ingredients which can clog pores and cause dead skin cells to stick together also. If you are acne-prone, always look for non-comedogenic products for the best results. Opt for water-based skin care products and cosmetics over oil based products.
Beyond using the right products, it is important to keep your skin clean by using a gentle cleanser twice a day. This will help to reduce the first link in the chain – clogged pores. If proper skin care doesn’t clear your skin, you will need to consider acne medications to treat some of the other causes like bacterial growth.
Acne is a difficult thing to deal with, but don’t get discouraged. By understanding the causes and identifying your triggers, you should be able to regain control over your appearance.
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