What is acne?
In people who have acne, dead skin cells mix with sebum (oil) produced by the skin and plug up hair follicles in the skin. Bacteria that grow in the plugged hair follicles cause more skin irritation. Acne commonly starts in the early teen years, when the oil glands in the body start making more sebum.
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff
Reviewed/Updated: 09/10
Created: 01/96