Let’s face it, dealing with our skin is a serious full-time job. We know when we have a breakout that we aren’t supposed to pick at it or go to bed with makeup on, but what other things can we do to prevent acne from hitting at all? There are countless answers out there, whether it is advice given by a friend or the internet throwing years and years of articles at you all at once, but not all answers are created equal and there are plenty of misinformed folks out there. So, before you go doing something that will only make your face freak out, here are five acne myths that we are seriously debunking (looking at you, lemon juice!).
Greasy Food Will Cause Your Skin to Breakout
It obviously is not a good idea to rub greasy food all over your face, but this myth states that by simply eating greasy foods, your skin will breakout. However, it just is not true. Though there is definitely a link between your diet and your complexion, it just is not what everyone seems to think it is. Acne is generally caused by oily skin, which is probably why people assume that greasy foods will lead to more oil production. But there have been plenty of studies that have shown that eating greasy foods (like French fries) does not have an impact on your skin—by the way, the same goes for chocolate. What will lead to a breakout though is touching your face after eating oily and greasy foods, because you’re putting it directly onto your skin. With that said, it’s still importabt to follow a healthy diet—your body will thank you.
Lemon Juice is a Cure-All
We don’t know who first spoke of lemon juice curing acne, but they were so wrong. Sure, lemons are natural, but that does not mean that these yellow fruit are great for your skin. Because they’re rich in psolaren, lemons will make your skin super sensitive to ultraviolet light. Why? When psolaren is exposed to UV light, it absorbs the energy and swells up, eventually releasing this energy and emitting heat. On your skin, this comes in the form of an inflamed rash. Yeah, not what you want on your face. Plus, it is acidic and might mess with your skin’s PH balance, causing irritation and dryness. So, please, keep lemon juice in your tea, not on your face.
Wearing Makeup Will Give You Pimples
If you love makeup and also struggle with acne, someone has probably told you that wearing makeup is the reason for your skin troubles. Lucky for you, it may not be true. If you’re wearing makeup to help deal with your complexion (like color correction and cover-up products), you have probably spent hours and hours researching the best brands. Makeup that is non-acnegenic or non-comedogenic shouldn’t lead to acne. Besides, many brands now make products that actually contain acne-fighting ingredients—like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid—so there is a good chance that your makeup is actually helping your skin. Be careful about washing your hands before applying makeup, keep your makeup brushes and sponges clean, and wash your face thoroughly every night.
Toothpaste is a Miracle Cure-All
When exactly did toothpaste become this magical cure-all when it comes to getting rid of a pimple? Dabbing some toothpaste on a zit is not going to make it suddenly disappear overnight. While it may dry the pimple out, it certainly is not going to prevent anything else from happening. It can actually make things worse and clog your pores, because most toothpaste brands contain sodium lauryl sulphate. If using toothpaste worked for you that one time when you were in high school, congratulations—you got lucky.
Acne Will Just Go Away
A lot of people think that if you just leave it alone and avoid using any products, acne will run its course and go away naturally. While that may be true for some people who have the occasional spot, it won’t be true for most. If you have skin issues that are causing significant stress and frustration, speak to a dermatologist and consider your options.
