The adolescence period is characterized with increased levels of the sexual hormones. Many of the glands, including the sebaceous glands in the skin, work more than usual. The sebaceous glands create more sebum. Hyperkeratinization might occur, thus clogging the skin pores. The sebum stays trapped inside the canal of the sebaceous gland, leading to its inflammation, visible on the surface of the skin as acne.


There is no data about any relationship between masturbation and acne, except that acne occurs more frequently in puberty, when masturbation becomes more frequent too.