As one of the most common skin conditions, acne is something nearly everyone has dealt with at some point – directly or indirectly.
With the explosion of information available on the internet, myths and misconceptions about acne have become more widespread than ever. There’s no magic solution to acne, but if you’re wondering, "What are some myths about acne?" to help you separate fact from fiction, this guide will explore some common acne myths and the real solutions you can apply in your skincare routine.
Myth #1: Stress causes acne
Does stress causes acne? Stress and acne have something in common – pretty much everyone deals with them in some form or another throughout their lives. And unfortunately, they do in fact go hand-in-hand. While stress doesn’t directly cause acne alone, it’s like placing a magnifying glass on top of the underlying causes of acne. When you’re stressed, your body releases stress hormones, including cortisol, that increase your body’s oil production and inflammation. With more oil on your skin, there’s a greater risk that it mixes with dead skin cells and other debris to clog your pores, leading to acne.
Myth #2: Acne will go away on its own
Since acne is a chronic condition, it’s constantly being created beneath the surface of your skin unless you’re proactively thwarting its formation with an effective acne-fighting routine. Even if you wait for a single pimple to go away on its own, without effective products and a solid skincare routine, it’s only a matter of time until the next pimple or breakout shows up.
Managing acne is about giving your skin the support it needs for the long run to reduce the frequency and severity of breakouts. Try the ProactivMD® 3-Piece System, which is tough on acne but gentle on your skin.
Myth #3: Using makeup will make your acne worse
Some makeup can irritate your skin, but there are definitely options that have good coverage, yet little to no effect on acne. Look for an oil-free, non-comedogenic foundation and remember to remove it before going to sleep! Make cleansing before bed a nightly ritual.
It’s also important to clean your makeup brushes and applicators often to prevent bacteria from spreading into your pores.
Myth #4: Washing your face is the only way to avoid breakouts
Washing your face is a crucial step in a good skincare routine. It helps clear your skin from acne-causing bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells. But cleansing twice a day is plenty! When you wash your face too frequently or scrub too harshly, you cleanse away your skin’s natural, hydrating oil. In response, your skin overproduces oil, which creates an environment in which acne can thrive.
Rather than washing more than twice a day, focus on using a cleanser that does its job well. The Ultra-Gentle Cleanser in the ProactivMD 3-Piece System is engineered to help wash away dirt, oil and debris while keeping your skin feeling soft and hydrated.
Myth #5: Toothpaste helps clear up pimples
So, does putting toothpaste on pimples work? Toothpaste on pimples may be the oldest trick in the book. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work! Toothpaste is meant to be used in your mouth, not on your skin. Applying the fluorides from toothpaste to acne can actually make it worse.
Toothpaste can dry out your skin, leading to an overproduction of oil as your skin attempts to rehydrate itself. The acne-causing bacteria that caused your breakout in the first place isn’t killed off by toothpaste.
A much simpler and more effective way to deal with acne is with the second step in the ProactivMD 3-Piece System, Adapalene Gel. Adapalene is a topical retinoid that works on a cellular level to attack acne. It helps restore a more even skin tone and texture while clearing breakouts, and even treats and prevents clogged pores.
Toothpaste on pimples is a myth that can actually make acne worse, while adapalene is a powerful ingredient formulated specifically to help fight and prevent acne.
The bottom line
The internet is an awesome tool that brings all the information in the world to your fingertips, but it has popularized many acne myths that are just that – myths. Choose a skincare routine, based on facts, that is tailored to your unique skin with the proactiv® acne treatment system that’s right for you.
