There is a lot of misinformation about acne and its causes and treatments that have spread on social media. Therefore, we must dispel some myths about acne.
Myth 1: You can dry up your acne, or you must dry out your skin as much as possible to get rid of all the excess oil.
There is a common misconception that people with oily skin should dry out their skin to prevent acne breakouts. However, this is not true and can lead to more breakouts. Our skin naturally produces oil, called sebum, which helps moisturize and condition the skin.
If you use harsh products or over-cleanse your skin, you can damage the skin barrier, making it difficult for the skin to fight off environmental damage and lead to more acne breakouts. Additionally, drying out your skin too much can cause it to produce even more oil to compensate, leading to excessive oil production and more breakouts. Instead, it is important to be gentle with your skincare routine and avoid over-exfoliating. Use proven ingredients and be careful not to irritate your skin.
Myth 2: Drinking water improves acne.
There is a popular misconception that drinking water can help clear up acne. However, this is not true. Acne is caused by four main factors: excess oil production, clogged pores, bacteria, and inflammation. Drinking water does not directly address any of these causes. While staying hydrated is important for overall health, it is not a cure for acne.
Myth 3: Acne only affects teenagers.
Acne is not just a problem for teenagers; it can occur at any age. Adults in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s can also experience acne. To effectively treat acne, regardless of age, it is important to understand its main causes.
The primary causes of acne are the overproduction of oil, clogged pores, bacteria, and inflammation. While overproduction of oil is most common in teenagers, adults in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s can also experience oily skin.
Bacteria, specifically P. Acnes on our skin, can contribute to the formation of acne breakouts.
Clogged pores are a result of not exfoliating and of our skin cells sticking together which is a common after-effect of oily skin, and as we age, our natural skin cell turnover rate slows down, potentially leading to clogged pores.
Inflammation can be caused by many factors such as diet and skin injuries.
To clear your acne at any age, it is recommended to follow a consistent routine with specific ingredients that target acne. Such as:
- Salicylic acid
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Azelaic acid
- Retinol
Myth 4: Sunlight improves acne
Although sunlight can help to dry out acne and certain wavelengths can activate responses that kill acne-causing bacteria, relying on the sun to improve your acne is not advisable.
Sunlight and sun exposure without the use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen can cause inflammation and redness, which are major causes of acne and can lead to more breakouts.
To manage the positive effects of blue-light wavelengths without encountering the negative effects of sunlight-induced inflammation, it is recommended to use LED light therapy. However, it is not worth risking the potential damage that the sun can cause to your skin.
Myth 5: People with oily skin do not need to moisturize.
It’s a common myth that people with oily skin don’t need a moisturizer. The reasoning behind this is twofold.
Firstly, those with oily skin often believe that moisturizers will make their skin even oilier.
Secondly, older moisturizers were often heavy and didn’t work well on oily or acne-prone skin. However, modern moisturizers are non-comedogenic and full of ingredients that help control oil production and protect the skin barrier, which is especially important for those with oily or acne-prone skin.
It’s important to note that acne can be caused by the overproduction of oil. Many acne treatments can cause dryness, and people often try to dry out their skin as much as possible, which can lead to more oil production and hence more acne. To combat this, it’s important to moisturize regularly. Additionally, some acne treatments can cause excessive dryness, which can lead to inflammation. Moisturizing with a barrier-repairing ingredient like niacinamide can help combat this and control oil production.
Myth 6: Washing your face more will clear your acne.
Cleansing is an important step in any skincare routine, but this can also be the harshest on the skin compared to other steps. It’s crucial to use a non-irritating cleanser that contains hydrating ingredients to protect your skin barrier. Many people with acne believe that washing their face more often will lead to cleaner skin, but this can cause more harm than good. Over-cleansing can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to excessive dryness and increased oil production, which can result in more breakouts.
Dermatologists recommend cleansing at most twice a day, but for some, once a day at night may be sufficient. If you have acne, it’s important to use a cleanser with active ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to treat it effectively.
