Why do Teens Have Acne Prone Skin?

Why do teens have acne prone skin? It’s the question to which many teenagers and their parents want the answer. If you’re a teen, you’re more than likely asking the same question in a different form. Maybe it’s more appropriately stated in this manner: Why is my face a breeding ground for zits? If there is one thing that teaches us patience throughout this lifetime, it is the series of biological changes that are presented on a regular basis, once certain ages roll around. For teenagers, it is a changing of the skin, a heightened level of hormonal activity and the natural results because of it.

Sure, there are more things that occur than the development of acne during the teenage years, but having acne prone skin is one of the few that become such a pain in the social life. So, what exactly is the cause of acne prone skin in teenagers?

Teenagers and Their Changing Acne Prone Skin

As the body moves through the process of puberty, during that time affectionately known as adolescence, the skin also goes through the change from childhood to adulthood. For all teenagers, both male and female, there is an increased production of hormones. These hormones are responsible for many biological functions, including the production of additional body hair. All the while, the skin is also growing and going through a thickening process—the hair follicles are beginning to become more active, and in turn, so will the sebaceous gland found in each and every follicle.

Understanding Acne Prone Skin

The sebaceous gland is responsible for producing sebum, or what you probably know as “skin oil.” It is actually oil, created by the skin, to help protect the skin and allow for growth. For most teens, it’s quite common to experience excess sebum on the skin due to sebaceous glands that are overactive. This is one of the reasons teenage experience acne prone skin.

As the skin thickens and continues to grow with the rest of the body, it is also continually shedding dead skin cells from the surface. This happens at an incredible rate in teenagers. The body is entering what will be its last physical growth stage. These dead skin cells shedding from the surface of the skin serve as another cause for acne prone skin.

The Cause of All Acne Prone Skin

Regardless of age, sex or skin type, acne is formed in the same manner, and it is caused by three components: Dead skin cells, bacteria from the surface of the skin (P. Acne bacteria) and sebum. When these three come together, they will plug a pore and clog a follicle, creating an infectious environment. This will result in a whitehead, blackhead or at the worst, an acne cyst, deeper in the skin.

Understanding this, and understanding how the teenage years present variables making the skin more acne prone, it’s easier to gather a grasp on potential treatment of the problem. It doesn’t take an incredible expense or amount of time to begin using a daily skin care program, or developing a quality skin care regimen. Exfoliating cleansers, skin toners and quality acne creams will do wonders when used together consistently.