Acne vulgaris, also known simply as acne, is one of the most common skin conditions in the United States. If you suffer from acne you know it’s more than just a few pimples on your face.

Is acne hereditary? While there isn’t a specific gene associated with acne, most experts would agree that acne and genetics are linked. Of course, it’s a bit more complicated than that, so let’s take a closer look.

When it comes to the causes of acne, what’s happening on the inside of your body is just as important as what’s happening on the outside. Hormones, which are chemical messengers that travel throughout the body coordinating complex processes like growth and metabolism play an especially big role.