What can contribute to a comedo formation?

Comedo formation, which refers to the common precursor to acne, occurs when hair follicles become clogged with a combination of sebum (oil) and dead skin cells. The correct choice highlights the critical process wherein dead skin cells mix with oil, leading to the blockage of follicles.

When the skin's natural shedding process doesn't occur efficiently, dead skin cells can accumulate. Combined with the oil produced by sebaceous glands, this mixture can create a plug that forms either an open comedo (blackhead) or a closed comedo (whitehead) depending on whether the follicle remains open or closed to the skin.

Factors like excessive sun exposure, a high-fat diet, and overuse of moisturizers can influence overall skin health but do not directly cause comedo formation. Excessive sun exposure can lead to thicker skin and potential keratin buildup, which can further affect skin shedding but isn't a direct pathway to forming a comedo. Similarly, while a high-fat diet may influence skin health, there is no direct correlation between dietary fat and comedo development. Overusing moisturizers may clog pores, but it isn't the primary reason why comedones form, as the fundamental issue is the combination of oil and dead skin cells obstructing the follicles. Thus,