How Acne Can Be Present With Clean Skin

he causes of acne are thought to be multiple and inter-related. Although there are theories on what causes the disease, there is so far no conclusive proof. What can be proved, however, is that acne can be worsened or improved by certain factors.

Stress

When a person is continually stressed, their body produces an excess of the stress hormone, cortisol. This suppresses immune response, which can lead to the overgrowth of the acne bacterium which causes acne vulgaris itself. Constant stress can also cause a depletion of B vitamins in the body. These B vitamins are themselves responsible for hormonal balance and the regulation of stress, so being stressed can actually make you more prone to becoming stressed! Vitamin B5 has a role in the metabolism of fat in the body, so a deficiency in this vitamin can cause excess sebum to build up on the skin, which also causes acne.

Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal imbalance is thought to be the reason so many teenagers get acne during puberty, and so many women suffer from acne around the time of their monthly period. It is possible that this could be related to the fact that hormonal imbalance causes stress by interfering with the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. It is also possible that it could be related to the body's use of vitamin B5 to synthesise balancing hormones which causes a deficiency that results in the excess production of sebum, as the body is unable to effectively metabolise fat.

Diet

While a diet high in fat doesn't necessarily lead to the over-production of sebum, it is likely to be a contributing factor. A high fat diet rich in foods that have a high glycaemic index (white bread, sugar and potatoes) can interfere with the production of the hormone insulin. The disruption of insulin can cause the disruption of other hormones and the increase of a hormone known as IGF-1 (insulin growth factor-1). IGF-1 is responsible for the production of tissues, and its excess may result in the over-production of skin cells and sebum that can result in acne vulgaris.

A high fat diet can also cause hormonal imbalance. In men, carrying excess weight can cause them to produce too much of the female hormone oestrogen. In women, a diet rich in foods that are high on the glycaemic index can cause the body to produce too many of the male hormones, androgens. Excess androgens in women have been shown to be linked to the development of acne.

A poor diet is also likely to be deficient in the vitamins and minerals that are essential to skin health, which in itself will make the skin more vulnerable to bacterial infections such as acne. A diet rich in vitamins and minerals, on the other hand, will bolster the body's immune response and allow the healthy development of tissues. Consuming sufficient Omega-3 oils keeps the hormone IGF-1 in check, reducing the likelihood that excess sebum and skin cells will develop.

Genetics

Many scientific studies have shown that if one or both of your parents suffered acne, you are likely to experience acne too. This is probably due to natural base levels of skin sebum and a lack of immune response to the acne bacterium.