Where does acne come from?

Acne develops when your skin produces excessive amounts of oil, also known as sebum. When sebum builds up, it can clog your pores and trap bacteria inside, which can lead to inflammation.

What Causes Breakouts?

The reason for acne breakouts can vary from person to person.
Here are a few examples:

1 - Stress
Stress reduces your body's ability to fight infection and ward off bacteria.

2 - Pressure
Tight clothes, humidity and touching your skin repeatedly can trap oil, rather than letting it evaporate.

3 - Hormonal Changes
This is a biggie, especially for girls. When hormone levels fluctuate, so do sebum levels.

What about Make-up?

The chemicals in your sunscreen or makeup may clog your pores or inflame your skin. Look for skin products that are noncomedogenic.

Some Myths About Acne

Myth # 1 : Tanning clears up skin.

Fact: Although a tan may temporarily help mask your acne, the sun can make skin dry and irritated, leading to more breakouts in the future. Always protect your skin by choosing a sunscreen of at least an SPF of 15 that says non comedogenic or non acnegenic on the label - which means it won't clog pores.

Myth # 2 : The more you wash your face, the fewer breakouts you'll have.

Fact:Although washing your face helps to remove dirt and oil from your pores, washing too much can lead to dryness and irritation, causing more breakouts. Also avoid abrasive scrubs, which can further irritate the skin. As a rule wash your face twice a day with the appropriate cleanser that is just for your skin type.

Myth # 3 : Popping pimples will help them go away faster.

Fact: By squeezing or popping a pimple, you can push bacteria, dead skin cells, and oil further into the skin, causing more swelling and redness - and sometimes causing a red or brown mark known as "staining". Worse, picking may cause scarring which could last for months or forever.