Acne is a common condition that affects the skin's oil glands.  It's common because nearly everyone experiences an acne outbreak at some point in life (20% of cases occur in adults), although it commonly occurs during puberty.  Your pores (small holes in the skin) connect to the oil glands via canals called follicles, which carry dead skin cells to the skin's surface.  Acne occurs when the secretions from the oil glands clog the pores.  Small clogged pores become whiteheads (flesh-colored bumps), while larger pores become blackheads (flat spots with dark centers).  These clogged pores can turn into pimples, tender inflammations, or nodules, which can sometimes develop into cystic acne (harder lumps beneath the skin) that can become infected.  While Acne is not dangerous, it can occasionally leave the affected person with scars.

Acne is not limited to the face.  It can occur on the back, chest, shoulders, neck, upper buttocks, and arms.  Acne is not simply pimples.  Acne can be detected by the following signs.

• Blackheads
• Whiteheads
• Nodules
• Papules
• Pustules (commonly known as pimples)
• Cysts

What causes Acne is still misunderstood.  While stress can irritate Acne, it is not the thing that causes it.  The common belief is that Acne is a result of rising androgen levels.  Androgen, a type of hormone, levels rise during adolescent years and ultimately cause the oil glands to grow under the skin, thusly producing more oil.  The excess oil breaks down the walls in the pores, causing bacteria to grow.  Certain studies also indicate that acne can be genetic.  Anytime there is a drastic hormone change, for example during pregnancy or adolescence, Acne can sometimes be a result.  Impurities in the blood stream can also lead to Acne because the impurities come up through the pores.  Other possible causes are below.

• Hormone increase in adolescent years
• Hormone change during pregnancy
• Genetics (you can have Acne if you parents had it)
• Greasy makeup products
• Certain Medications
• Contraceptives (birth control pills or IUD's)
• Steroids

• Cleansing the face can be beneficial for Acne.  Make sure that you wash your skin gently, as over-scrubbing does not help and can often worsen the Acne.  Clean gently in the morning, evening, and after heavy workouts.
• Avoid touching the skin because your fingers can often harbor bacteria.  Try not to pop, squeeze, or pinch blemishes as that can lead to scarring or or further skin irritation.
• While these are not the causes, it's best to steer clear of processed foods, sugar, acidic foods, and greasy foods.  These foods can prevent ideal blood flow and lead to impurities in your blood.  A healthy circulatory system is integral to your health and can keep your skin healthier.  The skin is the largest organ in the body so it's important to take good care of it.  Maintaining a raw food, vegan, or vegetarian diet can help purify the body, blood stream, and ultimately your skin.
• Frequently shampoo your hair because your hair has lots of oil.  If your hair is extra oily, you may want to consider shampooing once a day.
• Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with 20-40 drops of witch hazel and gently apply to the affected areas.  Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce the Acne.  If you don't want to use oil, use a cooled cup of green tea to wash your face. The antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds in the tea can help combat Acne.  Similarly, you can blend the ingredients of a chamomile tea bag with a small amount of water to make a paste.  Apply this to the skin to help decrease inflammation.  You can also brew two bags of chamomile tea in 1 cup of boiling water, dip a cotton ball in the tea after 15 minutes, and then pat the Acne with it after cleaning the area.
• Try making a facial mask with raw honey and plain oatmeal.  Apply the mask to the affected areas of the skin and leave it on for 30 minutes before gently rinsing away.  The antibiotic properties in honey can be beneficial to your skin's health.
• Lemons are natural exfoliants. By dipping a cotton ball in lemon juice and gently dabbing the Acne, you can naturally exfoliate your skin.  Lemons are a natural disinfectant and can also help reduce scarring.

• Drink Lots of Water
• Fresh Berries like Raspberries, Blueberries, or Blackberries
• Green Tea
• Whole Grains (Quinoa, Buckwheat, and Barley)
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Green Leafy Vegetables
• Carrots
• Cucumbers
• Purple or Red Foods (Acai, Red Kale, or Pomegranates)