Teens are more likely to suffer from breakouts because at the onset of puberty, their bodies start to produce androgens. These "male" hormones are a natural part of development for both boys and girls, but boys tend to produce more of them, resulting in more severe breakouts. After about age 20, sebum production begins to decrease but it can flare up again at any age.

Implicated in a wide range of conditions and illnesses, hormones also play a role in the development of acne - inflammation of the skin that causes blackheads, whiteheads, and red spots usually called "pimples" or "zits." Androgens, hormones that are secreted in different amounts by both men and women, play a huge role in most cases of acne. Androgens stimulate the hormone-sensitive sebaceous glands, which produce oil known as sebum. Sebum, in turn, has been labeled as "the fuel that feeds the flame of acne."

Due to the presence of androgens, your oil glands go into overdrive. They produce extra oil, which block your follicles and clump together with the dead skin cells on the top layer of your skin. When this sticky mixture works its way into your pores, it acts just like a cork in a bottle -- trapping oil and bacteria inside.

Herbal home remedies that can help clear skin and rebalance

Dandelion (root) Taraxacum offcinale

Dandelion is a common meadow herb of the Asteraceae or sunflower family that has general detoxifying qualities, making it effective in the treatment of skin blemishes and papules treatment. This common yard plant contains much that is beneficial to our bodies: bitter compounds, choline, inulin, minerals such as calcium, sodium, silicic acid, sulfur, and a high concentration of potassium and in the fresh leaves. In skin care and cosmetics, it helps clear up acne, eczema, and other skin eruptions. Read more ...

Burdock (root) Arctium lappa

Burdock is a thistled plant native to the Northern USA, Europe and Asia. The roots and leaves of this plant have been used for centuries as a remedy against skin cancer, acne, eczema, and other skin ailments and diseases. It is mildly antibiotic and can help restore smoothness to the skin.Read more ...

Yellow Dock (root) Rumex crispus

Yellow dock, a general systemic toner, when combined with sarsaparilla, provides a treatment for chronic skin disorders. Its active ingredients such as the astringent tannis and the antimicrobial properties of the purgative anthraquinones combine to make decoctions of the plant useful in treating skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema, as well as skin rashes. Read more ...

Sarsaparilla (root) Smiilax offcinalls

Sarsaparilla is a perennial trailing vine with prickly stems indigenous to tropical America and the West Indies. Generally classified as a blood purifier, sarsaparilla is combined with yellow dock to correct chronic skin ailments, especially psoriasis. Individuals suffering from psoriasis have been found to have high levels of endotoxins (cell wall fragments of normal gut bacteria) circulating in the bloodstream. Sarsaponin, one of sarsaparilla's main steroids was found to bind to these endotoxins and remove them, thus relieving the afflicted person from psoriasis. Other health conditions associated with high endotoxin levels include eczema, arthritis, and ulcerative colitis, and can be alleviated also with the use of sarsaparilla.

Purple Coneflower (powder) Echinacea Purpurea

Echinacea acts as a stimulant to the immune system by increasing the production of specific types of white blood cells and strengthening human cell walls so bacteria and viruses have a harder time getting into cells. Using this herb can protect one against inflammatory conditions of the skin. These wildflowers originally grew wild on the plains of the United States and Canada, but they are now being cultivated in Europe and parts of Asia, as well as in North America. They are taken orally to enhance immune system response and to lessen the duration and symptoms of colds and flu. When applied to the skin, they can relieve conditions such as eczema, insect bites, and psoriasis. Purple Coneflower can also inhibit bacteria and the formation of pus.

Red Clover (blossom) Trifolium Pratense

Traditionally used to expel toxins from the bloodstream, red clover is prized for being an effective treatment of skin problems because of its high dosage of vitamin B-complex. In folk medicine, fresh red clover flowers have been chopped or mashed and applied directly to skin inflammations such as insect bites. More recently, creams, lotions, or ointments containing red clover extract have been under observation for treating psoriasis and other skin conditions.