According to studies, more than 80% of people will experience having acne at least once in their lives. And if you're reading this, then chances are you're probably one of them. And if something is troubling you, literally popping out at the most inopportune times or costing you a fortune in skin care products, then you might as well find out the most you can about it. Here is a list of seven things that will help you understand acne better, and thus help you control it more effectively.

Acne begins at Adolescence

Adolescence - it's a period of extreme change. It's also a period of raging hormones and, quite miserably, acne. Indeed, few of us remember that turbulent period fondly, especially if it was punctuated with severe acne breakouts. For most people, acne starts at ages 11 and 13, during early adolescence. This applies to all genders, both male and female. The change in hormonal activity, particularly with the androgens, will lead to an increase in the size of the facial glands, especially the oil glands. These glands then produce increased sebum which, when coupled with some unshed dead skin cells, will block the follicles and turn into acne.

Heat Aggravates Acne

Acne is a condition that is aggravated when sweat and heat is trapped on the skin's surface. This happens when people wear tight or restrictive clothing or use backpacks. Backpacks and tight clothes might not cause acne directly, but they can aggravate the acne, making it harder to treat.

Heredity Affects Acne

According to some studies, people with a family history of acne have a bigger predisposition to developing acne. So, if one or more of your family members have experienced acne when they were young, then the chances of you experiencing it too is larger.

Pregnancy Affects Acne

Pregnancy, like adolescence, is a time when hormones are active and the body undergoes severe changes. Acne is then more likely to erupt during pregnancy.

Menopause Affects Acne

There comes a time in every woman's life when she reaches the end of her fertile stage and undergoes menopause. Again, this period is rife with hormonal changes which would predispose a woman to acne.

Women are More Prone to Acne

Aside from menopause and pregnancy, more women are at risk for having acne because they simply undergo more hormonal changes than men. Each month, they have their menstruation, which as many women can testify, is often accompanied by outbreaks of acne.

Stress Affects Acne

In both genders, however, stress causes an increase in the incidence of acne. This is because times of stress are accompanied by changes in hormone production, which then leads to more sebum production.