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10 acne myths debunked
There is a lot of information about acne on the internet, maybe you’ve seen some of it shared by your friends and family. Some of it is trustworthy, while a lot of it is just based on rumors.
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Just like regular acne, adult acne should be treated as soon as it begins to stop it from getting worse. (Shutterstock/-)
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a href="https://hellosehat.com/benh/jerawat/" target="_blank">Acne is the most common skin condition, affecting most people some time in their life. There is a lot of information about acne on the internet, maybe you’ve seen some of it shared by your friends and family. Some of it is trustworthy, while a lot of it is just based on rumors.
Here are 10 acne myths that have definitely been debunked.
The more you wash your face, the less acne you will get
Keeping your skin clean is important, but washing it too many times can make your skin dry. You should wash your face two times a day with a gentle cleanser. To prevent your skin from being too dry, you should use a moisturizer that best suits your skin type.
Sunscreen can irritate your acne
Although there are some ingredients in sunscreen that can aggravate your acne, it is needed to protect your skin from sun damage. You just need to find the sunscreen that is right for your skin. There are two main types of sunscreen: chemical sunscreen and physical sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens can cause your skin to react. If your skin is sensitive, you should use a physical sunscreen such as zinc oxide.
Acne will disappear when you are an adult
Acne is most common among teenagers but can also affect adults in their 30s, 40s and even 50s; this is sometimes called adult acne. Adult acne is usually caused by changes in your hormones or medication that you are taking. Just like regular acne, adult acne should be treated as soon as it begins to stop it from getting worse.
Toothpaste can treat your pimples
You may have heard that you can apply toothpaste to your acne to make it disappear. This myth has been passed down from generation to generation. Although there may be some ingredients in toothpaste that can dry out your pimples, it is not a recommended treatment for acne.
This is because toothpaste contains many other ingredients that can irritate your acne, causing it to become more red and inflamed. You should stick to acne products that have ingredients proven to help acne such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
Stress causes acne
Stress may be linked to acne but has not been proven to cause acne. These link suggests that when you feel stress, a stress hormone called cortisol increases in your blood. Cortisol can stimulate your oil glands to increase oil production, making your skin more prone to acne.
(Read also: Cure your acne with these five tips)
You cannot wear makeup with acne
If your acne is not inflamed, you can choose makeup products that are for acne-prone skin. You can tell by looking at the labels and searching for terms such as “non-acnegenic” or “non-comedogenic”. These products will usually not clog your pores. Besides, you should not forget to cleanse your makeup before sleeping overnight.
However, if you have inflammatory acne that is red and sore, you should avoid applying any cosmetics on your face because your skin may be irritated by the ingredients.
Chocolate and soda can trigger acne
There is no evidence that chocolate and soda cause acne. Both chocolate and soda are high in sugar, making your skin more at risk for acne. There is a link between your diet and your skin but more studies are needed to show a direct cause.
But if you are worried about your acne, it is a good idea to avoid chocolate and soda.
Popping pimples can make them heal faster
If you think you can safely pop a pimple, you should think again. Popping a pimple can irritate it, causing it to become more inflamed and possibly leave a scar. You can also risk spreading the bacteria deeper into the surrounding skin cells, prolonging your healing process.
Poor diet can cause acne
There is no direct link that proves certain diets cause acne. This does not mean you can eat French fries, potato chips and fried chicken daily. Proper nutrition is always important for your health. It is OK to indulge every once in a while but it is important that your diet consists of fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meat, and you should limit high-sugar and fried foods.
Sex causes acne
Sex is associated with increased levels of androgens. Although androgens have been proven to cause acne, there is not enough evidence that shows sex causes acne.
To get accurate information about acne, you should consult a dermatologist. Understanding what causes acne can help you find the best solution to get rid of it. (kes)
