Pimples. Spots. Zits. No matter how you say it, acne is something men have to deal with their entire lives, not just during the teenage years. But to properly treat this condition, it’s necessary to understand how acne is caused and what it really is.

The most common type of acne is acne vulgaris. This can be triggered by several factors, including hormone imbalance, overproduction of sebum (the oily substance on the skin) and growth of bacteria (known as P. acnes).

Acne forms when pores become clogged with sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria. If the clog occurs below the skin surface, this creates a “whitehead.” If the clog reaches the surface, a “blackhead” forms (the black is not actually dirt; its bacteria which darkens when exposed to oxygen). Clogged pores can pop and spread oil, causing more pimples and lesions. For this reason, exfoliation with gentle, effective products is an integral part of acne treatment for men as it regularly removes the blockage of dead cells from pores.

Because men’s glands are larger and therefore produce more sebum, guys often display acne more often than women do, especially on their backs and bodies. This is also due to the fact that the male hormone (androgen) is what activates glands that produce oil and sebum.

While outside factors do not play a direct part in causing acne, they can aggravate conditions. These factors include improper cleaning using inferior products, food allergies, an improper diet lacking in vitamins, an imbalance of skin’s PH structure (since acidity is what controls bacteria), climate (heat and humidity both contribute to more bacteria production), and stress.

You can take several steps to improve acne treatment and control acne:

• It’s important to keep skin clean without over-cleansing, as this can cause a greater production of oil to compensate the moisture lost by washing. Use a liquid cleanser with Salicylic Acid.

• Reduce the bacteria that cause breakouts by using an acne treatment product that contains Benzoyl Peroxide.

• Make sure that you use an ultralight sunscreen as sun exposure increases oil production.

• Most importantly, keep skin clean and hydrated with an oil-free moisturizer.