What is the primary cause of acne?

The primary cause of acne is the clogged sebaceous glands. Acne develops when hair follicles become obstructed with oil and dead skin cells. The sebaceous glands, which produce sebum (an oily substance), can become overactive, especially during puberty due to hormonal changes. When excess sebum is produced, it can mix with dead skin cells and block the hair follicles, leading to the formation of comedones (open and closed pores), inflamed lesions, and ultimately acne.

In addition, when these clogged follicles become infected with bacteria, inflammation increases, exacerbating the condition. Therefore, the obstruction and inflammation resulting from clogged sebaceous glands are central to the development of acne.

Other factors, such as hormonal fluctuations, certain medications, and dietary choices, can also contribute, but the initial event is typically the clogging of sebaceous glands, making this the most significant primary cause.