Inflammation

Inflammation does not cause acne directly.  It is a factor that contibutes to acne formation because inflammation can lead to plugged follicles.  Inflammation of the skin can happen for any number of reasons, including overcleansing, heat, exercise, sweating, existing acne or other forms of trauma.  When inflammation of the skin occurs, it becomes more difficult for the body to naturally relieve itself of the sebum and scale produced in the hair follicles.  And when it's harder to get rid of sebum and scale, more acne blockages occur.

The most common way to avoid inflammation is not overcleansing your skin.  Those with acne sometimes feel that they need to wash their face continually to get rid of dirt, when the real source of the problem is actually sebum and inflammation.  In addition to cleansing the face too often, excessive sweating and squeezing, picking, or popping pimples can also cause inflammation.