Myths And Misconceptions about Acne

Is Acne Caused By Dirty Skin?
No, cleansing and scrubbing your skin excessively will not help acne. In fact, it may make your inflammation worse. Remember that the causes of acne affect oil glands which are well below the surface of the skin, so you should avoid over washing. This can dry out and irritate your skin, increasing inflammation and aggravating the situation.

Is Acne Caused By Certain Foods?
In large clinical research studies, no clear associations have been made between foods and acne. However, some foods can make acne worse for some people. If you suspect that a certain food type is making your acne worse, you can determine if it affects it by avoiding that product for 2-4 weeks. If your acne improves over that time period, then it’s possible that you were right! After a break of a few weeks, you can try eating the suspect food again to see whether you get another flare of your acne.

Is Acne Caused By Sexual Activity?
No, when you reach puberty, your body experiences hormonal changes that lead to the development and maturation of your sexual features. These hormonal changes may also cause you to get acne. Acne is associated with these changes, not with sexual activity.

Will Cosmetics Worsen Acne?
While it is true that many creams, oils, and greases can aggravate your acne, there are many cosmetic products you can use that do not, including sunscreens, moisturizers and foundations. Those that do not aggravate acne or lead to development of comedones are labelled “non-acnegenic” and “non-comedogenic” respectively.