Acne is caused by the over activity of the sebaceous glands that secrete oily substances onto the skin. Sebaceous glands are tiny glands just below the surface of the skin that make a substance called sebum, which keeps the skin healthy, smooth and supple. It is secreted through pores in the skin. Hairs also grow through these pores. Sometimes pores become clogged with dead skin cells. They can also become clogged from soap or cosmetics. Then pimples form. These are sometimes referred to as whiteheads, because they may become filled with yellowish-white pus. Eating fatty foods or chocolate does not cause acne. The clogged pores of oily skin provide a good environment for bacteria to grow. This can cause inflammation and infection, which will need to be treated by either an acne cream or by acne antibiotics. Don’t pick at or squeeze pimples as this can spread the infection and leads to acne scarring. Acne treatment begins with keeping the skin clean. Wash your face twice a day with a mild soap and water. Abrasive cleaners and harsh soaps can cause further inflammation of acne. There are a number of over-the-counter acne remedies available at any pharmacy. Most contain benzoyl peroxide, which has an antibacterial effect and also dries out the skin and removes dead skin cells. Use these acne products once or twice a day. You don’t want to remove all the oil from your skin; skin needs some oil in it to be healthy. If over-the-counter acne treatments don’t work, you can see your doctor for acne medication. The doctor may prescribe topical acne medications or oral medications. Topical acne medications are medicines you rub on your face. Some contain azelaic acid, which works in a similar way as benzol peroxide. Others are based on vitamin A and help to remove the outer layer of dead skin cells from your face. Still other acne treatments are antibacterial creams. Oral medications may be antibiotics, or may be based on vitamin A and function much as the topical acne treatments do. Other people choose to use alternative acne treatments, which are made of natural ingredients. If you have acne scarring or uneven skin tone from acne, you may want to seek laser skin resurfacing or microdermabrasion to minimize damage. See a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon for options to deal with acne scarring. There are many acne scar removal techniques available today.