What Really Causes Acne? 5 Common Myths

Many myths persist today about what causes acne despite a lack of scientific evidence to support those myths.

By understanding what is causing your acne, you can take effective measures to treat it and keep it under control. Even though doctors are still not exactly sure what causes acne and why some people are not affected, there is more knowlegde and treatment options available today than in the past.

Here are 5 common myths about what causes acne:

Myth #1: Poor hygiene or dirty skin causes acne.

While bacteria in the skin is involved in the creation of acne, and antibiotics can help improve acne, lack of cleanliness is not the actual cause for the acne breakouts. Acne is caused by excess oil and dead skin cells that clog the pores and build up under the skin. Cleansing your skin of oil and debris with a gentle cleanser that kills the acne bacteria is important for preventing breakouts, but it’s not necessary to use harsh cleansers or abrasives. Scrubbing too hard or washing your face too often can irritate and dry out your skin, and can actually make your acne worse.

Myth #2: Breakouts are caused by fried foods or chocolate.

The myth that fast food and chocolate cause acne still persists today; yet there are no studies that have proven any food actually causes acne. Although no particular food has been proven to cause breakouts, some people can be sensitive to certain foods and may find their skin clears up when that food is avoided.

While your acne will most likely not simply disappear with a healthy diet, it is important to eat healthy foods that contain nutrients that support healthy skin. Some find improvement by avoiding meat and dairy products that contain hormones and switching to organic products.

Myth #3: Everyone outgrows bad skin and you don’t need to treat it.

There are a variety of acne treatment options available both over-the-counter and prescription medicines from a dermatologist. While many will find their acne improves or goes away completely with time, there is no reason to not treat it and prevent permanent scarring. Many will need to treat their skin continually well into adulthood because it will not simply go away with time.

Many unfortunate people find their skin gets worse or acne shows up for the first time in their twenties. This is called “adult acne” and can be difficult to treat. If severe, it needs to be treated aggressively to prevent scars because this skin condition cannot be cured but can be managed.

Myth #4: Makeup causes acne.

The first cosmetics were oil based and could definitely make acne worse, but today there are many makeup products that are created for acne prone skin. As long as you use make up that is oil-free and does not contain any other ingredients that can clog pores you can use makeup to help improve the appearance of your skin. Hiding blemishes and the redness of active acne can go a long ways towards improving your self-esteem as you work to control your acne. Be sure to read the labels and look for the term “noncomedogenic” which means the product does not cause comedones or acne from clogged pores. Another term you may see is “nonacnegenic” which is also safe for acne prone skin. Today there are even some makeup brands which include acne fighting ingredients that actually improve your skin!

Myth #5: Popping pimples will clear them up faster.

While its tempting to pop pimples in an attempt to get rid of them quickly, it can actually worsen acne by spreading the bacteria that is causing it. Popping acne cysts can cause the infection to spread in the deeper layers of the skin, damaging the skin which leads to scarring. In cases of severe acne, this scarring can be permanent. Acne cysts or painful nodules should be treated by a dermatologist who knows how to treat them safely.

By eliminating the common myths and learning what really is causing your acne, allows you to prevent future breakouts by treating your skin appropriately.

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