There are a few important factors when it comes to the causes of acne, but the exact cause is not known. Acne is the end result of bacterial, hormonal, and inflammatory disturbances that take place in the oil pore, commonly known as the pilosebaceous follicle. These sebaceous glands produce increasingly greater amounts of oil over time. There is a scale that is produced on the inside walls of the hair follicle which becomes stickier and builds up, blocking the pore and thus creating whiteheads or blackheads. Acne bacteria is called propionobacterium which grows and multiplies in the retained oil. Many acne treatments on the market focus on removing this excess oil.

Acne can be aggravated by the combined effects of the male hormone testosterone and the acne bacteria which cause the inflammation of the oil gland. When the skin surface and its pores are blocked, acne skin care products help to clear these pores. Certain items like hats, helmets, and pads used in sports, can all contribute to sweating and humidity causing a breakout of acne.

Certain medications that are androgenic in nature can aggravate acne and increase pore blockage due to oil production. Such products as birth control pills and anabolic steroids can cause this. Some other commonly used medications that could aggravate acne include some anti-seizure medications and lithium. You can actually aggravate your acne if you cleanse your skin too much during acne skin care. Try to avoid picking, squeezing, or popping zits and avoid the overzealous use of abrasive facial scrubs. They can irritate your skin or worsen its inflammation. Remember that there are numerous causes of acne and scrubbing your skin excessively could make it worse instead of better. There have been several clinical studies done on acne and diet habits, but no clear associations have been established between certain foods and acne.