Don’t let myths about acne prevent you from achieving incredible-looking skin. We’ve cleared up the common acne misconceptions so you can be one step closer to a healthy and clear complexion.
How Acne Forms
When pores become clogged, pimples, zits, blackheads, and whiteheads manifest on your face. Acne occurs when the skin produces too much oil, and dead skin cells (that we regularly shed) get stuck together, blocking pores. To make matters worse, bacteria can also get trapped inside the pores. The trapped bacterium eventually multiplies and causes red, swollen, inflamed breakouts or cysts.
Types of Acne
Acne is a disease of the sebaceous glands. It refers to a variety of individual marks that can appear on the face, including blemishes, whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, or zits. These acne marks occur when pores become congested with excess oil and skin cells. Acne can also occur on other parts of the body, including the chest and back.
Non-Inflammatory Acne:
- Blackhead: An open comedone occurs when the pore remains open to the skin surface, and facial oil is oxidized by air, turning it a brown/black color.
- Whitehead: A closed comedone occurs when the trapped oil and bacteria remain below the skin surface, appearing as small white spots.
Inflammatory Acne:
- Papule: A small, circular, solid elevation of the skin occurs when there is a break in the wall surrounding the hair follicle, leading to inflammation.
- Pustule: A small circular pus-filled skin elevation forms several days later when white blood cells migrate to the surface.
Common Myths About Acne
-
MYTH: Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are essentially the same acne-fighting ingredient.
FACT: Salicylic acid is a BHA (beta hydroxy acid) that helps increase your surface cell renewal rate by removing the top layer of dead skin cells and helps to remove the buildup of dead skin cells in your pores. Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial acne-fighting ingredient that penetrates pores to kill acne-causing bacteria. -
MYTH: Junk food can’t cause pimples and breakouts.
FACT: Highly processed foods can contribute to adult acne. Foods with a high glycemic index (sugar, white flour, candy) can cause blood sugar levels to rise too quickly, leading to increased sebum (oil) production and more breakouts. -
MYTH: Loose powders are the best type of redness-reducing mattifier.
FACT: Moisturizing mattifiers reduce redness from acne and can also help reduce your skin’s oil production. -
MYTH: The best time to fight acne is at night.
FACT: While it is critical to fight acne twice a day (morning and night), it’s essential that acne treatments occur in the morning since you and your skin are more active during the day.
Skin Care Tips to Help Prevent and Treat Acne
To treat and prevent acne, it’s essential to stick with a consistent skincare regimen:
- Cleanse: Wash your face morning and night with a cleanser containing salicylic acid. This key acne-fighting ingredient exfoliates the skin, helping to keep pores clear. After you exercise, be sure to freshen up with a facial wet cleansing cloth.
- Do Not Over Wash: Resist the temptation to wash your face multiple times a day. Over-washing will dry out skin, causing it to produce more oil, leading to more acne.
- Moisturize & Protect: It may feel counterintuitive, but you need to moisturize. Wear a non-comedogenic moisturizer (meaning it doesn’t block pores) with SPF daily to hydrate skin and prevent sun damage.
Tips for Beating Body Acne
Did You Know?
- Body acne is very common, almost as common as facial acne.
- The most common places for body breakouts are the back and chest.
- The same glands that cause acne on your face also cause acne on your body.
- If you suffer from facial acne, you are more likely to suffer from body acne.
- Exfoliate: Exfoliation is the first step in clearing body breakouts. By removing a layer of dead skin, you are getting rid of the buildup that can otherwise clog your pores.
- Cleanse: Your current body wash may not solve your body acne problem. You will need to treat your body breakouts with a cleanser that contains salicylic acid.
- Moisturize: Keeping your skin too dry will cause your skin to produce more oil. Use a non-comedogenic, lightweight moisturizer.
Additional Prevention Tips:
- Rinse Off After Working Out: After a workout, immediately rinse off and change your gym clothes.
- Beware of Hair: Keep long hair off your back since many hair care products can leave pore-clogging residue on your skin.
When to See a Dermatologist
If your acne does not clear up after two to three months of diligent care or if you suffer from severe acne, it may be time to visit a dermatologist for alternative methods of clearing your skin.
Conclusion
Acne occurs in both teens and adults and is never pleasant. You can effectively manage and prevent breakouts by understanding the basics of acne, debunking myths, and adhering to a consistent skincare routine. With the right approach, you can achieve a beautiful, acne-free complexion.