When it comes to skin care, one of the first (and most frustrating) things that comes to mind is acne.There are many myths about what causes acne. The fact is that acne occurs when oil produced by the sebaceous glands, which are largest and most active on the face particularly near the nose, gets blocked by a clogged hair follicle. With no place else to go, it settles on the skin and creates a lesion, or pimple. The sebaceous glands are also very active on the chest and back, leading to a related condition called bacne.

Genetics do play a role in determining the amount of oil you produce in these glands. So do hormones. Adolescents experience a surge in hormones called androgens. This leads to an increase in oil produced on the skin's surface. That's why teenagers tend to struggle with acne the most. In fact, acne usually starts at the onset of puberty and can continue throughout your life. The US Food and Drug Administration said 85 percent of the United States population between ages 12 and 25 experiences some form of acne. Issues with facial acne can impact self-esteem negatively.

In addition to hormones and genetics, the use of anabolic steroids and certain medications can also increase a person's propensity towards acne. Stress, which causes the adrenal glands to go into overdrive, can cause breakouts of white and/or black heads, the two main kinds of pimples.

Keeping your face clean and steering clear of certain skin-unfriendly foods will go a long way to helping you reduce your acne breakouts even if dirt and diet don't directly cause the condition.

Foods you may wish to avoid are:

There are a host of over-the-counter, prescription, dermatological and natural remedies including acupuncture, home remedies, herbal cures, ayurvedic products and more that can help alleviate this condition.