Primary Causes of Acne

Many different causes of acne exist, and no one knows for sure why some people have it worse than others; however, there are some known causes that contribute to acne:

1. Family/Genetic history – If your parents or other family members had or have acne, you have a higher risk of developing acne.
2. Hormones – Hormones are a known contributor to acne. Bursts of hormone activity during puberty are usually the first time adolescents experience acne. During menstrual cycles, girls often experience an increase in their breakouts due to their rapidly changing hormones. Hormones also play a role in acne that some women develop during their pregnancies. Certain diseases cause abnormal hormone levels that can result in acne, i.e., polycystic ovary syndrome and Cushing’s Syndrome. Adults can also experience acne as the hormone cycles fluctuate throughout life. Statistics show that over 30% of adults suffer from adult acne.
3. Stress – An increase in stress can trigger a burst of hormonal activity that can result in an acne breakout.
4. Steroids – Any person on steroids has an increased risk of developing steroid-related acne.
5. Environmental – Exposure to certain chemicals or oils in your environment can put you at risk for developing or aggravating your acne. The oils in your hair products are an example of environmental oils that can increase your risk for acne development.
6. Drugs – Use of amphetamines and other drugs have been proven to be an aggravator of acne.