Facial blemishes are not caused by dirt. Contrary to what you may have seen in commercials, pores do not get blocked from the top down due to "impurities". Rather, the walls of a pore stick together deep within the skin, starting acne formation. Far from preventing acne, frequent washing may actually irritate pores and cause them to become clogged. A washcloth can add even more irritation. The best bet is to wash very gently with bare hands, and only wash twice a day.
Acne results from a continuous process below the skin's surface. As the sebaceous glands continuously produce sebum — oil that fills the skin's pore down to the hair follicles — it is secreted and lubricates the hair and skin. When too much of this oil is produced, the pore can become blocked, creating a plug that closes off the opening to the outside of the skin. The plug traps the oil, causing bacteria to form. As bacteria grow, the blockage extends up and becomes visible on the skin's surface as acne.
There is no definitive cause for acne but there are many contributing factors. No ones knows the exact cause of acne, but there are several factors that have been proven to contribute to the onset of this skin condition:
Hormones A known trigger for acne at different stages in the life cycle. Hormones levels increase in teens during puberty and can cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge, causing an increase in sebum production. Changing hormone levels in girls and women can cause acne during menstrual cycles and when starting or stopping birth control pills. Adult men can also be affected, depending on their hormone levels.
Skin Type + Genetics Typically, acne-prone skin is oily, and is characterized by pimples and blackheads. Without proper treatment, these pimples and blackheads could develop into severe acne, leaving permanent pits and scars. Sensitive skin is also susceptible to acne, due to its sensitivity to even the slightest changes in body chemistry brought on by cosmetics and external influences.
Acne has also been linked to genetics, meaning if your mom or dad (or both) had acne, it's more likely you'll develop acne. Also, the more members of your family with acne, the greater the chances you have of developing the problem.
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