Acne: What Are the Causes and Which Acne Skin Care Products and Treatments Are Most Effective

A fact about acne: Around three-quarters of all teenagers and young adults suffer from acne. However, men and women in their 30s and 40s can also suffer.

The exact cause of acne remains unclear but more is known about how the spots that are part of acne form. And there are more and more treatments to help deal with this distressing condition.

What causes acne? Acne is a skin condition caused by over activity of the glands that secrete oily substances on to the skin. The blackheads and spots usually occur on the face, where the greatest number of these oil-producing "sebaceous" glands exist. The back, chest and shoulders can also be affected.

Several factors are involved in the development of acne. Central to this are the sex hormones, which are produced at puberty. The male hormone testosterone - found naturally in women as well as in men – triggers the sebaceous glands to produce more of an oily substance called sebum, making the skin more greasy. However, most acne sufferers don't have a hormone problem and their hormones are at normal levels in their blood.

When there is an excess of sebum, the area around a hair follicle and the opening through the skin – the pore – can become clogged. A bug, a bacterium called Propionobacterium acnes, that lives normally on the skin , can thrive within the blocked pore. This infection causes inflammation, which is responsible for the redness and swelling of a spot. Sometimes as in severe acne, the pocket of inflammation within a pore can rupture, causing damage to the skin that can result in scarring.

Drugs such as certain steroid tablets and some beauty products that block the pores can contribute to acne. Contrary to popular belief, acne is not caused by eating fatty food or chocolate.

Acne can also cause a number of different types of spots. Typically, people with acne get blackheads (comedones). These are caused by a blockage of the pores, which get their dark color through excess skin pigment.

Whiteheads are also common. These occur near the surface of the skin when excess sebum gets trapped inside the follicle. The sebaceous glands can also become infected.

In this more severe "inflammatory acne", cysts develop beneath the skin's surface. These acne cysts can rupture, spreading the infection into nearby skin tissue. This can result in scarring. You can put an end to this cycle. Discover which products are most effective for eliminating acne and Get Clear Skin Today!

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Top 10 Results:

The sites listed below have been reviewed by us and we feel offer the best products by comparison and the most competitive prices from the many companies that we have reviewed and should serve your needs: 

The following list identifies and reviews the top 10 Acne Products, Guides and Information available on the Internet today.  Each has a slightly different focus and emphasis. So spend a minute or two browsing our reviewed lists to save time and money.