Acne Myths Debunked

Don’t let myths about acne prevent you from achieving incredible looking skin. We’ve cleared up the common acne misconceptions so you can be one step closer to a healthy and clear complexion.

MYTH: Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are essentially the same acne fighting ingredient.

FACT: Salicylic acid is a BHA (beta hydroxy acid) and helps to increase your surface cell renewal rate by removing the top layer of dead skin cells. It also helps to remove the buildup of dead skin cells in your pores. Look for a salicylic acid facial cleanser as you work to clear congested pores.Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial acne-fighting ingredient that penetrates pores to kill acne-causing bacteria. It is helpful in spot treating acne since it can help alleviate redness and inflammation of current blemishes.

MYTH: Junk food can’t cause pimples and breakouts.

FACT: Highly processed foods can contribute to adult acne. Foods with a high glycemic index (sugar, white flour, candy) can cause blood sugar levels to rise too quickly. This can lead to increased sebum (oil) production, slower exfoliation of dead skin cells and more breakouts. Avoid unhealthy foods like candy, chips, and fried foods.

MYTH: Loose powders are the best type of redness-reducing mattifier.

FACT: Moisturizing mattifiers reduce redness from acne. Mattifiers can also help reduce your skin’s oil production and neutralize redness with a subtle green tint that absorbs into skin for colorless coverage.

MYTH: The best time to fight acne is at night.

FACT: While it is critical to fight acne twice a day (morning and night), it’s critical that acne treatments occur in the morning since you and your skin are more active during the day. The key is to start your day off with the right acne-fighting regimen which includes a salicylic-based acne cleanser and oil-free facial moisturizer.