Acne is a common skin disorder caused by inflamed skin glands and hair follicles.

Three main causes of acne are:

• Overproduction of sebum (oil).
• Clogged pores from dirt and dead skin cells.
• Infection from bacteria in small skin glands that produce skin oils (sebaceous glands).

Sebum blocks pores in the skin, forming whiteheads under the skin and blackheads above the skin. Blackheads are black because air causes a chemical reaction with the oil inside – not because they’re dirty. Yeast and bacteria in the skin cause whiteheads to become pimples, which are inflamed, red and sometimes filled with pus.

All teens experience some form of acne during puberty. For some, however, acne can be severe. Many teens become self-conscious about their acne. Gentle care and certain treatments can help.

As you grow out of adolescence, acne will usually get better. However, acne may continue into adulthood. Hormonal changes later in life can also cause acne.