What is the most major factor contributing to acne in adolescent women?

What is the most major factor contributing to acne in adolescent women?

• A. Stress
• B. Dietary intake
• C. Family history
• D. Hormonal imbalance

Answer: (D)

Adolescent acne in girls is driven mainly by hormonal changes during puberty. Increased androgens stimulate the sebaceous (oil) glands to produce more sebum, and this excess oil combines with skin cell turnover to clog pores. The clogged follicles create an environment that promotes bacterial growth and inflammation, leading to the characteristic pimples and cysts. This hormonal influence explains why acne often starts or worsens during puberty and can fluctuate with the menstrual cycle. Other factors can modulate severity—for example, stress may intensify inflammation and symptoms, but it is not the primary cause. Dietary factors have inconsistent or weak associations for most people, and while family history means a higher susceptibility, the core driver remains hormonal changes that boost oil production and follicular turnover.

Adolescent acne in girls is driven mainly by hormonal changes during puberty. Increased androgens stimulate the sebaceous (oil) glands to produce more sebum, and this excess oil combines with skin cell turnover to clog pores. The clogged follicles create an environment that promotes bacterial growth and inflammation, leading to the characteristic pimples and cysts.

This hormonal influence explains why acne often starts or worsens during puberty and can fluctuate with the menstrual cycle. Other factors can modulate severity—for example, stress may intensify inflammation and symptoms, but it is not the primary cause. Dietary factors have inconsistent or weak associations for most people, and while family history means a higher susceptibility, the core driver remains hormonal changes that boost oil production and follicular turnover.