5 Acne Myths Revealed

Almost everyone is affected by acne at some point in their life. Since this skin problem is so prevalent, people and experts devote a lot of time to finding acne cures that work. The result of this is dozens of opinions, speculations, myths, and facts.

Separating acne myths from the facts is difficult. If you really want to get rid of acne, it’s very important. Buying into the wrong information may not get rid of your acne at all; and in some cases it could make the problem worse.

Here are 5 of the most common acne myths:

Myth #1. Washing your face prevents breakouts

Acne is caused when oils clogs your pores. So it makes sense to a lot of people that washing skin often will reduce acne breakouts. But that’s actually not true. Acne is a problem that starts under the surface of your skin. Washing away skin oils isn’t going to prevent it.

If you wash your skin too frequently, it can cause irritation and dryness. Both of these actually make your acne worse, not better.

Experts recommend that you gently wash your face no more than twice a day with a mild soap.

Myth #2. Oily foods make acne worse

This is another one of those acne myths that makes sense to people: oily foods make skin oily, which makes acne worse. It’s just not true though. Experts haven’t been able to prove that eating oily food makes your skin more oily.

There are several good reasons why you shouldn’t eat a lot of oily food; but acne prevention is not one of them.

Myth #3. Toothpaste erases acne

Putting toothpaste on a pimple is supposed to dry it out and make it go away faster. Unfortunately, toothpaste uses ingredients that control tarter.

This is good for your teeth, but bad news for you acne. These ingredients provide food for the bacteria that causes acne.

Basically, if you use toothpaste on acne, it could make your problem worse. The good news is that there are acne remedies that actually do work.

Myth #4. Dairy products trigger acne

Some dairy products may have hormones in them. There is a small chance that these hormones could throw your hormones out of whack; which could make acne worse. However, these situations are the exception and not the rule. Most people with acne can probably continue to eat dairy.

Myth #5. Tanning reduces acne

Most people love having tan skin. They’d also love to think that tanning reduces acne, but one again: myth busted! Darker skin may reduce the redness caused by acne, but it doesn’t get rid of acne. Also, tanning can dry out your skin. Which as you know, can make acne worse.


It’s easy to buy into the acne myths that are floating around; especially when they seem to make sense. Before you spend time or money on an acne remedy, do a little research. Don’t try it unless you’re sure it will reduce acne; and won’t make your problem worse.

The truth about acne is out there. The sooner you find it; the sooner you’ll be able to erase acne for good.