What Causes Acne?

Comprehensive Research to Help Educate You on the Common Causes of Acne

According to WebMD, acne is caused by a blockage of pores in the skin. These blockages are created when excess sebum fills the pore too quickly to move out of the pore, causing swelling. Anaerobic bacteria can begin to grow in the pore, further increasing swelling, infection and pus.^[1]

An article in Wikipedia explains that many factors can contribute to excess sebum. These factors include genetic history, hormonal activity, stress, hyperactive sebaceous glands, dead skin cells, bacteria, skin irritation, some medications and exposure to chlorinated aromatic compounds which include synthetic fragrances in body care and cleaning products.^[2]

Further research in Wikipedia describes another type of acne caused by exposure to chlorinated dioxins. ^[3] This type of acne is aptly named, 'chloracne'. Increased pigmentation, excessive perspiration, sweaty, clammy skin and acne-type lesions under the arms, on the shoulders, back and arms, as well as the groin area, often accompany chloracne. Exposure to dioxins is almost exclusively through the food chain. Fish, meat and dairy are the main sources for human dioxin exposure. Dioxins are consumed by the animals through water and vegetation, are fat-soluble, and deposit in the fatty tissue of the foods available for humans. When people eat fatty meats, they are consuming some of the dioxins stored in the fat tissue of the animal, then the human body stores the dioxins in their own fatty tissue. Dioxins have a half-life of 8 to 132 years in the human body. In other words, dioxins build up in the system over time to toxic levels.