ACNE IS A COMMON skin disease that affects tiny ducts in the skin where hair grows. These ducts are known as follicles. Acne occurs when the follicles become clogged and infected. This causes sores known as acne lesions, or pimples, to develop on and under the skin.

Excess Hormones Cause Excess Oil Production

There are a number of factors that cause the follicles to become clogged and infected. One important factor is the overproduction of androgen. Androgen is a chemical, or male sex hormone, that both males and females normally produce. However, hormonal changes in the body during puberty, pregnancy, or the female menstrual cycle cause some people to produce higher than usual levels of androgen. Although scientists are unsure why, excess androgen stimulates the sebaceous oil glands inside the follicles to enlarge and manufacture excess amounts of oil called sebum. Whereas...