Acne is a condition that causes breakouts of pimples, whiteheads and blackheads to occur on the skin. These breakouts are most often on a person's face, but it is also common to have acne in other places such as the back and shoulders.

Breakouts of acne are due to overactive sebaceous glands that produce large amounts of oil. This oil then causes pores in the skin to become blocked and form bumps, which most people refer to as pimples. These acne breakouts can be anywhere from mild to quite severe, and from occasional to chronic. No one knows what really causes acne. However, stress, hormonal activity and levels, genetics and certain medications have been linked to acne.

There are many over-the-counter medications for acne that can be bought at your local drugstore or ordered online. These medications are very good at clearing up moderate cases of acne. In severe cases, it is a good idea to see a dermatologist who can prescribe antibiotics and other acne treatments as needed.