What causes acne, and what does not

3 sourcesEvery line checked against its source

In short

Acne is a common skin condition that happens when hair follicles under the skin become clogged.

Worth knowing8

Doctors and researchers believe that one or more of the following can lead to the development of acne: Excess or high production of oil in the pore; Buildup of dead skin cells in the pore; Growth of bacteria in the pore.
National Institutes of Health
An increase in androgens, which are male sex hormones, may lead to acne.
National Institutes of Health
Researchers believe that you may be more likely to get acne if your parents had acne.
National Institutes of Health
Certain medications, such as medications that contain hormones, corticosteroids, and lithium, can cause acne.
National Institutes of Health
Some studies show that eating certain foods may make acne worse. Researchers are continuing to study the role of diet as a cause of acne.
National Institutes of Health
There are many myths about what causes acne. Chocolate and greasy foods are often blamed, but there is little evidence that foods have much effect on acne in most people.
MedlinePlus
Another common myth is that dirty skin causes acne; however, blackheads and pimples are not caused by dirt.
MedlinePlus
Stress doesn't cause acne, but stress can make it worse.
MedlinePlus

Choose oil-free cosmetics and hair care products, and products labeled noncomedogenic, which means they do not clog pores. In some people, however, even these products may make acne worse.
National Institutes of Health

These pages describe what the sources say. They cannot say what is going on with your skin.

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