7 Acne Control Myths Debunked

There's lots of misinformation floating around about the causes and treatment of pimples. Check out these 7 acne control myths and learn why they aren't true.

It seems that everyone, from your mom to your favorite celebrity, has a different acne control remedy that they absolutely swear by.

With all this information out there, how do you separate the truth from the fiction?

Lucky for you, we're here to set the record straight.

Read on to find out the truth behind seven common myths about acne control.

What Causes Acne?

Before we talk about acne control, let's briefly cover what causes acne.

There are many different types of acne, and these different types have a number of indirect causes. However, the direct cause of acne is always the same -- an overproduction of sebum) that clogs the pores.

When the pores are oversaturated with sebum, they become breeding grounds for bacteria.

This bacteria mixes with dead skin cells and causes the pores to become even more clogged. This, in turn, leads to inflammation and breakouts.

Acne Control Myths

These are the seven most common acne control myths that you can stop listening to.

1. Washing My Face More Often Will Prevent Breakouts

Many people think that, since bacteria is causing their breakouts, they need to wash their face more thoroughly to prevent acne.

It's true that a good, consistent skincare routine is essential. But, overwashing does more harm than a good.

Aggressively washing your face will cause your skin to create more sebum. This will typically lead to more breakouts.

Avoid vigorously scrubbing your skin multiple times a day. Instead, just wash your face with a gentle cleanser in the morning and again at night to remove makeup, sweat, and dirt.

2. Toothpaste Will Eliminate Pimples

Lots of people have tried the toothpaste method as a form of acne control.

This treatment is totally bogus.

For example, toothpaste that contains menthol or mint can dry out pimples. However, toothpaste can also overdry the skin. If the skin is too dry, it will later end up overproducing sebum.

If you're looking for an easy at-home spot treatment, a better option would be hemorrhoid cream. This it will reduce swelling and redness.

You can also mix eucalyptus oil with cold water and dab it on your blemishes.

3. All Makeup Will Make Acne Worse

It's true that some makeup can irritate your skin and clog the pores. But, not all makeup is bad.

Check the list of ingredients on a product before you buy it. The following ingredients are typically considered safe for the skin:

• Titanium dioxide
• Zinc oxide
• Mica
• Bismuth oxychloride
• Iron oxides

These ingredients are typically found in mineral makeups. They will provide coverage without clogging pores or irritating existing blemishes.

Acne-prone individuals can also benefit from using serums and lotions instead of creams. Creams are oil-based and more likely to aggravate the skin, whereas serums and lotions are water- or alcohol-based.

4. Diet Has Nothing to Do with Acne

For a long time, dermatologists swore that there was no link between diet and acne. More recent research has proved these claims wrong, though.

Sugar, for example, has been linked to breakouts. This is because it stimulates the production of insulin. The more insulin you have, the more sebum your body produces, which can cause acne.

Hormones in milk and other dairy products can also increase sebum production.

If you struggle with frequent breakouts, you may want to consider cutting out dairy, as well as foods with a high glycemic index, including white bread, soda, and beer.

Replace these foods with low glycemic options like whole wheat bread, cucumbers, cashews, and cauliflower.

Certain types of foods can also speed up the healing process and improve your skin's overall appearance.

For example, zinc-rich foods like eggs, meat, seafood, and mushrooms can help restore the skin. Vitamin A, which is found in carrots, spinach, and cabbage, also promotes healing.

5. Tanning Clears up Breakouts

For some reason, lots of people think that spending time in the sun or in a tanning bed can help clear up breakouts.

The specific myth is that the light will dry out existing pimples and kill the bad bacteria that's causing them.

In reality, though, sitting out in the sun or lying in a tanning bed will actually make your skin worse.

Light exposure will darken your acne spots and make them more prominent. It can also cause sweating and oil production that will lead to further breakouts.

Furthermore, frequent sun exposure hinders your skin's ability to prevent infections. It also makes you more susceptible to serious conditions like skin cancer.

6. It's Okay to Pop Pimples

In some cases, if a pimple has a prominent white head and the surrounding area isn't inflamed or red, it's okay to pop it.

In general, though, you should do your best to leave blemishes alone.

Pimples are filled with oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells, and popping them with dirty, oily fingers will just introduce more bacteria and make the inflammation worse.

When you pop pimples, you also increase your risk of leaving scars behind.

7. Face Mapping Can Determine the Cause of My Acne

Lots of people tout face mapping (the idea that the location of your blemishes is correlated with a specific organ or body system) as a way to determine the cause of your breakouts.

In general, there is very little evidence to suggest this practice is accurate.

There are a few instances, though, in which the location of your breakouts can give you a clue about what's causing excess oil production.

If you have breakouts on your forehead, hair products may be to blame. Frequently wearing hats or helmets can also irritate the skin and contribute to breakouts.

Acne on the cheeks is typically attributed to overusing your cell phone, and breakouts around the mouth and on the jawline are often caused by hormone fluctuations.

Get Clear Skin Today

To eliminate acne for good, try the CleaRx Maximum Strength treatment today.

This science-based system kills acne-causing bacteria while unclogging pores, curing lesions, and helping your skin normalize its production of sebum.

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