Acne – Causes and Treatments
Common skin condition
As the most common skin condition today, acne affects people of all ages but is most common in teens and young adults, with about 85% of individuals 12-24 years of age experiencing this skin condition (1).
Acne is an inflammatory skin disorder that happens when the oil (sebaceous) glands connected to hair follicles stick together with other skin cells (keratinocytes) inside the pores and prevent the normal shedding of the skin cells (2). This oily plug encourages a strain of bacteria (Cutibacterium acnes) and the growth of opportunistic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, which leads to inflammation and creates a pimple (2) (3).
Acne can be found on hair-covered parts of the body where sebaceous glands are present like the face, scalp, upper back, and chest.
Types of acne
There are various types of acne like whiteheads that stay beneath the skin, blackheads that open on the surface of the skin, pimples that are pus-filled lesions with a white or yellow top and red base, and severe nodule acne, or cystic acne, which is a deep, pus-filled lesion that can be painful (2).
Factors that contribute to the development of acne
Several factors can contribute to this inflammatory skin disorder, genetics, infections, stress, hormone changes, and diet can all play a role (5) (6) (7).
Since acne is caused by the clogging of pores due to excess sebum and cells, and the growth of bacteria that leads to inflammation, let’s focus on what causes the oil glands to over-produce sebum in the first place.
Sebum is an oily, waxy substance composed of fatty acids, sugars, wax, and other chemicals, and is beneficial to us as it coats, moisturizes, and protects the skin (4). But, as is true for many other things, more is not always better and sometimes an excess of something, like sebum, can be problematic.
The genetic role in acne involves the regulation of the individual’s immune responses and metabolism of steroid hormones (5).
Infections play a role in the development of acne, as the clogged pores become a breading ground, of sorts, for opportunistic bacteria to grow. The skin has a diverse microbiome that plays a vital role in protecting us from pathogens, but when this complex ecosystem is compromised and pathogens infect the skin, acne can develop (9).
Stress affects the HPA axis which affects the function of sebaceous glands (6). For example, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is increased with stress which then stimulates sebum production that leads to clogged pores (6).
Certain hormones, like testosterone or DHEA-S (androgens) and progesterone (a female sex hormone), affect overall sebum production. For example, when androgens are elevated, more sebum is produced which can lead to the development of acne (8).
The food we consume each day can also play a role in the development of acne. Dairy contains growth hormones and other growth factors that stimulate the development of acne in some individuals (10). Additionally, food and beverages with high glycemic loads, like simple carbohydrates, increase blood levels of insulin which promotes the production of androgens that lead to increased sebum and clogged pores (10).
Healing acne
Increased sebum production is the main feature of the development of acne, with genetics, infections, stress, hormones, and the diet all playing roles in how sebum is produced in the body.
This multifactorial condition requires a multifactorial solution.
Infections can spread if the acne “pops” and the bacteria moves to the surrounding skin, so keep the skin clean with a gentle cleanser like a pure castile soap, but don’t overdo it because that can cause the skin to be too dry (11). A face mask of bentonite clay can be useful in healing acne as it has detoxification, broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, and can heal skin lesions when used topically (