The cause of acne

There are zits. And, there are angry zits.

Basically, a spot of acne develops when a hair follicle gets plugged up with excess oil, often due to natural hormonal changes. So ordinary zits are a consequence of producing hormones. Angry zits are a consequence of inflammation. Any acne can turn even the prettiest face into a battlefield.

You want names for acne? Your basic comedones are divided into blackheads and whiteheads, where a bit of (gulp) pus has collected in the zit. Moving up in embarrassment, you have papules and pustules (inflammatory acne), the big, red, angry type. Face it, acne’s not pretty. But it can be treated, and that helps restore your good looks.