Written by: Ellis Schroeder
Acne. Something many of us teens know well. Over 85% of teens experience acne starting as early as 11 years old. Many different conversations surround acne, some factual, others pseudoscience marketing techniques. This article will reveal the causes and triggers of acne.
Before we dive in, it is necessary to clear up one misconception: there is no singular trigger for acne. Acne is a disease that is caused by an overproduction of sebum, bacteria, dead skin cells, and the clogging of the hair follicle. Common triggers that can worsen acne include stress, genetics, skincare habits, and hormones.
Stress produces cortisol, a hormone that causes the oil glands in our skin to produce more sebum. Due to genetic variation, many of us experience different levels of sebum production. When we use stripping cleansers-which remove more than just dirt and grime from our skin-or skip moisturizers, our skin overcompensates by producing more sebum. Stress worsens many things, including acne.
We know that our genes cause many things. However, did you know that our genes are lead triggers for acne? Many studies have been conducted revealing the inherited nature of acne. A study conducted in the United Kingdom with 400 twin pairs showed that 81% of acne was due to genetics. Another study including American teenagers found that those whose parents had severe acne were 2.44 times more likely to develop it. Studies in the United States and Australia involving twins concluded that 50-90% of acne was because of genetic variation. These data point to genetics as an acne development risk.
Our skincare habits can worsen acne. Habits that do so include picking at breakouts, scrubbing the skin, and applying new acne treatments too often. When we pick at breakouts, bacteria from the pimples are spread across the face, creating new pimples and breakouts. When we scrub the skin, acne can become irritated and flare up. The constant application of new acne products can overwhelm and irritate the skin. Instead of using an excessive amount of products, use one product for six-to-eight weeks to give it time to work. Our habits can make or break our skin.
The increase of androgens, sex hormones, causes our skin to produce more sebum. The adrenal glands, testes, and ovaries release sex hormones called androgens. Androgens stimulate the sebaceous glands in our skin to produce more sebum, the oil in our skin. Sebum is a crucial player in the skin. It helps it stay moisturized and protect against friction! However, an overproduction of sebum by the release of androgens can cause acne.
Acne is nuanced and there is no one cause or trigger for it. However, there are consistencies in what are possible triggers, such as hormones, genetics, habits, and stress. Next time media is seen claiming that acne is caused by dark chocolate or using too much moisturizer, beware!
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Citations:
“Acne - Symptoms and causes.” Mayo Clinic, 12 September 2020, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/symptoms-causes/syc-20368047. Accessed 17 January 2022.
“Do Hormones Cause Acne?” Verywell Health, 24 March 2020, https://www.verywellhealth.com/hormones-and-acne-15682. Accessed 17 January 2022.
“10 skin care habits that can worsen acne.” American Academy of Dermatology, https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/skin-care/habits-stop. Accessed 17 January 2022.
“An update on the role of the sebaceous gland in the pathogenesis of acne.” NCBI, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3051853/. Accessed 17 January 2022.
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