Is acne vulgaris an inherited condition?

    Last Updated: October 13, 2024

    There isn’t a gene for acne , but if one or both of your parents had acne, you may be more likely to experience this condition. This is because certain genes that influence risk factors for acne, like your inflammatory response and the activity of oil-secreting glands, can be passed down from parent to child.[1] Research suggests that genetic factors are important in determining your susceptibility to facial acne and the ability of acne-prone hair follicles to evolve into acne-resistant follicles in adulthood.[2]