What Really Causes Pimples?
A pimple usually starts inside a hair follicle (pore). It isn’t simply caused by “dirty skin.”
The 4 main causes
- Excess oil (sebum) 🛢️
Hormones—especially androgens—can stimulate sebaceous glands to produce more oil. - Dead skin cells building up
Skin cells can stick together inside the follicle, contributing to a blockage. - Bacteria changing the environment 🦠
Cutibacterium acnes naturally lives on skin. When a follicle becomes blocked and oily, this bacterium can contribute to inflammation. - Inflammation 🔥
The immune system reacts to what’s happening in the clogged follicle, producing redness, swelling, tenderness, and sometimes pus.
Why do some people get more pimples?
Genetics and hormones have a major influence. Other factors can contribute, including certain medications, cosmetics or hair products, friction/pressure on the skin, and—depending on the individual—dietary factors.
What doesn’t cause acne?
Acne isn’t simply a result of being dirty. Washing your face excessively or scrubbing hard can actually irritate the skin and make breakouts worse.
And chocolate, greasy food, or poor hygiene aren’t universal explanations for acne. Some dietary patterns may influence acne in certain people, but the biology is more complicated.
In short:
Hormones → more oil + changes in the follicle → clogged pore → inflammation → pimple.
If you’d like, I can also explain why pimples appear in specific areas like the forehead, cheeks, and jawline.
