Is Acne Genetic?

Whether or not acne is genetic has long been debated. In this blog post, we provide an answer to the age-old question.

Introduction

Acne, perhaps more than any other single condition, carries with it an innumerable amount of urban myths and superstitious remedies. Granted, a large amount of the gossip is focused on how to treat acne and what kind of care it responds to, but that’s not the only focus for some of the common questions that can arise about the skin condition.

Another big thing people spend a lot of time discussing with regards to acne is where it actually comes from.

The Big Question

It’s not hard to see why there’s so much confusion, either. A simple Google search for answers about the root causes of acne throws up thousands upon thousands of results, with many of the articles in question offering confusing, if not downright contradictory, opinions.

For example, one common myth is that acne is the result of not washing your face. Although most people seem to be aware that acne is a separate condition and can’t be solely attributed to poor personal hygiene, it’s a pervasive myth that continues to spread and do damage to the socially stigmatic side of acne.

As it happens, acne is actually largely genetic, meaning that no matter how diligently you scrub your face, you just might have to seek other forms of treatment for the condition.

Even though there isn’t yet a gene mutation that has been linked directly to acne, there’s a strong hereditary component. Let’s get into some of the facts and figures about acne’s genetic component, and what can be concluded from all of it.

Running in the Family

There isn’t a specific acne gene you can inherit from your parents, according to the latest in clinical research. But that doesn’t mean acne itself isn’t still strongly genetic. One study suggested that genetics can account for up to 80% of the difference with regards to acne prevalence, for example.

There are a few different ways you can be affected by something genetically. The first is by directly picking up the requisite gene, while the second has to do with specific genetic mutations that can make you more prone to developing acne.

Crucially, this latter option doesn’t need there to be a specific acne carrier in your family; it can come about as a much more subtle combination of other genetic factors instead.

Acne can also be picked up from your family in a more indirect way. For example, a family disposition to producing too much sebum could lead to bacteria getting trapped in the pores themselves, which can cause acne to break out.

You can inherit the predisposition to produce too much androgen too, which can result in acne popping up, even though it’s technically due to your own hormonal system.

Ask Your Folks

If you’d like to know whether or not your acne really is genetic, there’s no better or simpler way to do that than by simply asking your parents whether they had acne when they were kids. You could also ask them about any siblings they had who may have had acne, or whether they remember their own parents ever talking about it.

The figure of a man created by figurative genes, illustrating the genetic structure.

It won’t give you an easy way to handle your acne if it’s coming up, but what it might do is show you that it’s not all to do with whether or not you wash your face often enough.

Acne can be a baffling and troubling thing to come face-to-face with at any stage in your life, but the pubertal and adolescent period is about as self-conscious as we get, which can produce a double-whammy effect. If you’re doing everything right but still breaking out, you may want to consider getting medical help. We’ve come up with an easy quiz for you to do that will tell you whether or not you’re a good candidate for Accutane — you can access it here.

Conclusion

Although there’s no one gene mutation that has been directly linked to acne (yet), it would be a mistake to say there’s no genetic component to the condition. As it happens, there are numerous ways your acne can be influenced by your family tree.

One of the best ways of figuring this out once and for all is to talk to older members of your family. If they report similar experiences to those you’re going through, you can count on a genetic component being present in some form at least.

Don’t forget that you can always contact the team here at AcneXpert if there are any questions you have about how Accutane works to combat acne.