What Causes Acne & Pimples

Who’s afraid of a breakout? Not you! Get to know your skin’s worst enemy and show those pimples who’s boss.

What causes acne and pimples?

Pimples can form when your skin makes too much oil. Pores get clogged with this excess build-up of oil and dead skin cells, which allows bacteria to breed, causing redness and swelling.

What’s the difference between a pimple and acne?

Some people get a pimple or two once in a while, while others get frequent breakouts with lots of pus-filled pimples. If the second sounds more like you, you may have acne – a chronic or long-term condition that affects many teens and adults. But don’t panic, there are many effective treatments that help keep acne under control.

What about bacne, also known as body or back acne?

If you have this, you’re not alone – it can affect many people! Like face acne, bacne can form when your pores get clogged by excess oil and dead skin cells, allowing bacteria to grow. Sometimes, wearing tight clothes and using heavy backpacks can irritate the skin and make bacne worse.  You can treat it the same way you would treat acne on your face with an acne-specific cleanser or spot treatment.

Will tanning clear up my acne?

Tanning salons don't actually affect your acne. However, they can potentially cause skin cancer and wrinkles so it’s better to follow a skin care routine designed specifically for acne prone skin.

Will squeezing pimples make them go away?

Not exactly. Aside from giving you scars, squeezing or popping pimples spreads bacteria, which can actually make you breakout even more.

Then how do I get rid of acne or pimples?

Cleansers and spot treatments with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide are the best acne-fighting ingredients available*. CLEAN & CLEAR^® has a range of pimple-fighting products to help you get clearer, healthier looking skin.

*Over the counter