Expert Reviewed
Those with acne-prone skin know that there are few people who understand their predicament. It can be embarrassing, annoying, or just plain painful to endure breakouts. Whether you have acne-prone skin or not, you may believe some misconceptions about this skin-type. Not all acne myths you read is true!
Get some clarity by reading these 8 common misconceptions about acne-prone skin:
1 – Acne-prone skin is dirty.
Excess dirt, oils, and makeup on your face aren’t good for your skin. However, they are not the sole cause of acne. Many people wash their face religiously twice a day and still break out because of genetics.
It’s important to cleanse your face whether you have acne or not. Find a cleanser that works for your skin type and try to wash your face twice per day.
2 – Less stress means less acne.
Although stress can cause breakouts, reducing your stress won’t automatically clear up your skin. People with naturally acne-prone skin don’t have to stress out to get zits, even though many people may think this.
3 – Getting more sun is good for acne-prone skin.
The sun is never good for your skin. No exceptions. This misconception arose because people noticed their zits clearing up after a couple of days of lounging in the sun on vacation. This is actually because the sun’s rays dry out your skin and the pimples on it. These affects are short-term, and staying out in the sun can cause discoloration and burning.
4 – Popping pimples isn’t bad if you’re careful.
It’s a harmful myth that anyone can pop pimples “the right way.” Any type of pimple popping that a professional esthetician isn’t doing is wrong. Especially when you use your hands, you expose your breakouts and the rest of your skin to a large number of bacteria. Acne-prone skin is especially susceptible to breaking out even more if you pop any pimples.
Avoid popping any pimples and stick to acne creams instead. When a pimple does pop, make sure to clean the area thoroughly to prevent bacteria from spreading.
5 – If you have acne-prone skin, you have a poor diet.
People often assume that if you eat greasy, unhealthy foods, it will show in your skin. This train of though is what feeds the acne myths. While eating a healthy diet is good for all your organs including your skin, there is no proven direct connection between what you eat and the acne you get.
There is limited evidence that proves certain foods can cause acne. In general, it’s always better to eat a well-balanced diet, but you can’t blame diet alone for acne-prone skin.
6 – Only teenagers have acne-prone skin.
The acne-covered teenager is a common stereotype you see in movies and television shows. Teenagers’ hormone levels are constantly fluctuating because of puberty, which can result in a lot of acne. However, you don’t have to be a teenager to suffer from acne-prone skin. Pre-teens and adults can also have acne-prone skin.
7 – The location of your zits says different things about your health.
Some people think that the health of your kidneys, heart, liver, lungs, and other organs can show up on your face as zits. For example, if you get breakouts along your jawline, they believe you have an imbalance in your endocrine system. No studies prove this. It’s much more likely that you touch your face in that area too often, causing oil from your hands to build up in your pores.
Instead of relating the location of your zits to a different part of your body, try thinking about what touches that area. Are your hair products getting on your forehead and clogging your pores? Is your dirty smartphone causing you to break out on the side of your face? These are much more likely reasons you could break out.
8 – Only women get adult acne.
Although more women than men have adult acne, it’s not exclusive to women. Adult acne is a problem men can face, as well. No matter your age, you can try treating acne with over-the-counter skincare or by talking with a dermatologist.
It’s difficult to live with acne-prone skin, but learning about the acne myths and misconceptions surrounding it is the first step to feeling more confident. Read more about health and wellness to create your ultimate skin routine.
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