Does Dirt Really Cause Acne?

e can't blame our parents for asking us to keep our faces clean if we want to reduce the occurrence of acne. You see, with the appearance of blackheads in the form of black spots on our faces, our parents must think that the dirt are deeply "stuck" on our faces. And to get rid of them, all we need to do is to wash them away and our acne will be gone for good.

I wish it would be THAT simple but unfortunately thing is a little more complicated than it seemed.

First, these black spots are actually made up of melanin; pigments that provide coloring to one's skin and not DIRT! When melanin in the sebum comes in contact with oxygen in the air, they turn to black color.

Second, acne formation takes place from underneath our skin. It means that the blockage of the follicles does not occur from top down. Therefore, washing all those dirt away won't reduce the breakout of acne on our face. If acne is on its way to break out from our skin, no amount of washing will halt the process. Moreover, over washing our faces will further irritate our skin and making your inflamed skin condition worse and redden.

Some of you might argue that washing will remove the excess sebum on your face but do you know that the sebum will come back within half an hour after you wash it? However, don't get the idea that you do not need to wash your face.

If your parents still say that dirt causes acne, ask them why do all the people who work in coal mines, construction sites or in the streets do not get their faces full with acne? And why do some of us who work in the offices or even doctors get acne? Surely those who work in the open will have their faces covered with dirt most of the time.