Four Common Acne Myths

Acne is a condition that is often misunderstood, even by those who suffer from it. It's no real surprise that there are so many acne myths floating around. And paying heed to some of these myths can actually be harmful, and end up making your acne worse.

Here are four of the most common acne myths.

Acne Myth #1: If you have acne, it means you need to wash your face more.

This myth is definitely false. Acne isn't caused by dirt, or excess oil on the surface of your skin. So washing your face more often or harder to try to get rid of all traces of dirt won't help prevent or alleviate breakouts. In fact, it can actually make things worse. Washing your face too vigorously or frequently will only irritate your skin. And scrubbing your face with a rough washcloth can also be extremely harmful. Instead, gently wash your faces about twice a day using only your hands.

Acne Myth #2: Eating chocolate will cause acne breakouts.

This is one of the biggest acne myths, and has caused millions to deprive themselves of this delicious treat. While it's true that a healthy diet can also mean a healthier looking complexion, studies have found no link between acne and eating chocolate.

Acne Myth #3: If you don't want to have acne breakouts, you should stop wearing make-up.

Suffering from acne doesn't necessarily mean you have to give up on wearing cosmetics. A lot depends on the kind of makeup you use. Choose cosmetics that say "nonacnegenic" or "noncomedogenic" on the label. And products that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, like certain concealers, can actually help fight acne while also helping to cover it up.

However, if you find that the makeup you're using is irritating your skin or causing more breakouts, stop using it. And ask your doctor if they can suggest some cosmetics that would be better for you. Since they probably get asked that question a lot, they might have some suggestions.

Acne Myth #4: Using more medication will make acne breakouts go away faster.

You should never use more of any acne medication than you've been instructed to, whether by the directions on the label or by your doctor. Over use of acne medications can dry out and irritate your skin. Rather than making your blemishes go away, overusing the medication could actually make your acne worse.

It takes time for acne medication to work. Using more medication won't make it work faster or better. If over-the-counter medication doesn't improve the condition in about eight weeks, you might need prescription medication. If a prescription medication hasn't shown results in two months, talk to your doctor. It's possible another acne treatment will work better for you.

The myths are everywhere. But, once you weed out the myths, you can focus on the facts that will put you on the road to having healthier skin and a clear complexion.