Adults can suffer from acne as much as teenagers. But what causes it? Normally its is caused by the oil glands starting to expand which leads to a build up of sebum on the surface of the skin. The hair follicles can become blocked by this excess sebum, as can the pores in the skin as well. The growth of bacteria can then occur which can spread around different areas of the skin resulting in an acne breakout. This breakout can often affect people in various different ways which also doesn’t help in learning what the exact causes of acne are.

Many possible causes of acne have been suggested which can cause imbalances in hormones. There are also other factors which can affect acne breakouts, for example foods, stress and lack of vitamins.

Research has shown that the reduction of sebum and keratin production is linked to the level of vitamin A in a sufferers body. For this reason it is important to keep your body well balanced with plenty of vitamin A. You can do this by eating at least five portions of fruits and vegetables every day.

As outlined previously, vitamin A is linked with acne problems and overcoming them. But zinc is also important because it helps to make vitamin A effective. This can help heal skin that has been damaged by acne.

Also note that there are some over the counter creams and treatments available which can help with the control of your acne. Creams that contain sulphur are known to be very effective. Take advantage of advice available to you from your local chemist or Doctor, seek their advice on what cream could be best suited to your condition. Try to avoid any creams or other treatments that contain bromide and iodide because they can increase the inflamation and cause you more discomfort.

Please remember to double check with your Doctor or Medical advisor before trying any new creams or medications to make sure they are suitable to you and have no hidden side effects.

Also you should try to reduce your intake of refined sugars in your foods. Having the right diet can make a big difference to the severity of your acne. You should also avoid any foods containing fried oils or hydrogenerated vegetable oils. Despite acne not definitely being caused by these oils, it certainly will not do your overall health any damage to avoid them.

There are a number of natural acne treatments which can be good for you, they come with the added bonus that the risk of side effects is very small in comparision to more orthodox medical products. They may not be as effective quite as quick as regular products but could have a positive effect over a period of time. Is has been shown that tea tree oils reduce acne because they have properties that are antibacterial and antifungal and therefore will help as a natural acne treatment.