8 Myths About Your Acne To Stop Believing Right Now
It’s time to get real about all those acne myths you’ve lived by since puberty. Chances are they’re more of a setback to your current beauty problems than you think. Before we dive into the irritating details, let’s get one thing straight right off the bat. You will not grow out of pimples and black heads. Despite what they told you to help you through high school, adult acne is an indisputable part of life that you’re just going to have to deal with. It’s awkward and frustrating, almost as awkward and frustrating as adolescence, but eventually you’ll get used to keeping clean and fending off impending outbreaks. In fact, that’s what we’re here to help you do. Before you can build an effective anti-acne strategy, you need to know the honest facts about how adult acne affects your skin. Time to scrape away the lies and find some truth amid the myths.

SPOTS ARE ACNE
Don’t go around telling yourself acne isn’t a problem for you because you’ve just got a few unflattering spots. Those two words mean the exact same thing when it comes to skincare. Acne is just the fancy medical term.

WOMEN BEWARE
Many people would prefer this fact be a myth, but it’s true. Around 22% of women suffer from adult acne while the condition only arises in 3% of men. Blame all those pesky hormones roiling around during your menstrual cycles.

ACNE IS A DISORDER
Keep calm. This isn’t nearly the mythbuster is seems to be. All it means is that acne isn’t altogether caused by unclean skin. A lot of your spots are probably the result of extra oil skin thanks to a large oil-producing gland lingering underneath. In simple terms, get busy with those skincare products. If you’re specked with dots, a little rinse isn’t going to be enough.

DIETS CURE ACNE
No. Diets do not magically cure adult acne, or any type of acne for that matter. However, eating dairy and foods with a high GI-index doesn’t help matters. Neither does excessive stress. So, while it won’t solve all your skin problems, a healthy lifestyle is an effective way to battle spots.

MOISTURIZING IS GOOD
Even oily skin needs to be moisturized. Oil is no match for a healing cleanser when it comes to perking up weary cells. Rinse with water to start things off, then dive in with a moisturizer formulated for acne. Ultimately, it will unclog your pores and calm inflammation.

DON’T POP PIMPLES
What do you think? Did you really read this far expecting to hear it’s A-OK to pick, scratch, and squeeze away at your irritating little spots? Such antics can lead to skin damage and worse. Instead, use a spot-directed treatment designed to dry up breakouts and reduce swelling.

AVOID MAKEUP
Wear your toner and blush and concealer. Cover extra pesky spots with oil-free foundation. The idea that makeup perpetuates acne breakouts is merely a myth if you’re careful to use beauty products tailored to your specific skin type.

SPOTS MEAN TROUBLE
They’re criminal for your complexion, but aside from a few embarrassing photos, adult acne is not a proven sign of allergies or digestive problems. It’s far more likely you’re using the wrong hair products or holding your cell phone too close to your cheek.
Adult acne is no myth, so you might as well educate yourself on how to minimize your outbreaks now. Whether you’re prone to oily skin or on guard against any semblance of a spot, knowing the truth about acne will help keep you clean and sharp. After all, honesty is the best policy.
— Julie Grossman