Causes

The cause of acne is not fully understood. Acne is linked with:

• Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and the menstrual cycle
• Rising levels of male sex hormones (androgens) in both boys and girls during puberty that causes more sebum and more dead skin cells
• Using makeup or cosmetics that block the pores
• Using certain products to wash the skin
• Wearing clothes that rub or irritate the skin
• High levels of moisture in the air (humidity) and sweating
• Taking certain medicines, such as corticosteroids