Many of us have experienced acne at one point or another. For some of us it's a rite of passage during our teenage years. For others an unwelcomed introduction to adulthood. So it shouldn't come as a shock that acne is one of the most common skin concerns. Medicine Plus, a government agency, puts acne at the top of its skin conditions list alongside other conditions such as eczema and wrinkles.

Knowing what causes acne, can therefore go a long way in fighting this annoying problem. We took the time to compile a list of acne triggers so you can treat and better prevent pimples. Some of them may surprise you, while others not that much. We hope you incorporate this list in your approach to treating acne, and stopping your breakouts. Check it out!

Clogged Pores

Your face is covered in tiny holes called pores, whose job it is to filter dirt and bacteria out of your skin. This process unfortunately doesn't always go smoothly, and sometimes our pores can become blocked and inflamed causing acne.

Some of the biggest culprits for blocked pores include hair products, dirt, and makeup. To avoid clogged pores we advise that you wash your face at least twice daily, and only use non-comedogenic beauty products. Also be careful with oily hair products which can make its way onto your face and clog pores.

P. Acnes Bacteria

One of the many bacteria found in the human body, the P. Acnes Bacteria is found in  hair follicles where it survives beneath the skin's surface. When these follicles become blocked, the bacteria may grow out of control leading to inflammation and acne.

Some of the ways to kill this bacteria include taking antibiotics, and treatments such as benzyl peroxide. Antibiotics require a prescription from your doctor, while benzyl peroxide can be very drying to the skin leading to a host of other problems. Fortunately there are natural solutions such as turmeric which has been found to kill the P. Acnes Bacteria. Turmeric can be found in our  Shine Bright Brightening Face Mask.

Hormonal Imbalance

Ever wondered why acne seems to pop up the minute you enter adolescence? Well you have hormonal imbalance to thank for that. Our hormones tend to get thrown off once we begin puberty. This can result in a fall of estrogen levels, and an increase in androgen levels. This in turn can lead to inflammation of the skin, clogged pores, and you guessed it, acne!

Overproduction of Sebum

Sebum is produced in the sebaceous glands, and is actually useful in lubricating the skin, and protecting it from free radicals. It is when your sebaceous glands become overactive, and starts overproducing this wax like substance that problems arise. 

Too much sebum in your pores can clog them, and cause pimples. Using oil free beauty products can help to keep sebum production under control, as can products containing salicylic acid. Neem is also known for its power to keep sebum production under control and it can be found in our New Skin Who 'Dis Acne Face Mask.

What Doesn't Cause Acne

Greasy Foods

Shocking we know, but one of the biggest beauty myths about greasy foods is actually not true. Studies have shown that eating greasy foods does not cause acne. That doesn't mean that there is no connection between your diet and your breakouts. As it turns out while there is no need to fear greasy foods, other foods such as dairy have been shown to cause acne in some people.

Stress

While stress can make breakouts worse, it is not in and of itself a cause of acne. With that being said, you should definitely aim to keep stress at a minimum, as it can cause breakouts to last longer.