When we say myth, we’re not talking about a tale from Ancient Greece about gods and folklore. No, we’re talking about widely held but false beliefs or ideas that circulate about situations, objects or occurrences.

Perhaps because acne is one of the most common skin conditions, there have been numerous myths flying around for years about what can cause it to flare up, what is good or not so good for acne and everyday items that can be used to treat your pimples.

The other month, we discussed one regarding chocolate causing acne. As a reminder, acne is not caused or made worse by any specific food, but your overall diet can play a part.

Read on to learn the truth. Spoiler alert: there’s no replacement for a specially formulated acne skincare routine!

Myth#1: If you have acne, you have a dirty face

This one is often repeated by bullies to target those with troublesome skin, and does nothing for your self-esteem. If you have acne it doesn’t mean that you have a ‘dirty’ face or don’t wash it enough.

If you hear this myth, stop it (or the person relaying it) in its tracks; acne is caused by the overproduction of sebum, not skin ‘dirtiness.’ Cleansing two to three times per day will keep your skin clean; do it more frequently and you’ll be at risk of over-washing your face, which can be just as harmful.

Myth #2: Pimple popping gets rid of acne

Simple answer: no it doesn’t! When you pop a pimple, you’re actually sending the blockage further down the pore which can lead to scarring. That’s off-putting, to say the least.

Myth #3: Adults don’t get acne

We’re sure there are plenty of adults out there that can debunk this myth for us. Dermatologists have actually found adult acne to be on the rise over the last few years, especially in females. Compared to teens, mature skin tends to dry out easily and react to irritating ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which are common in many other acne skincare products. Epiology has none of these nasties, making it the perfect solution for mature skin prone to mild to moderate acne.

Myth #4: The sun can help treat acne

This one is a bit more far-fetched. For many reasons, exposing your skin to the sun’s harmful rays isn’t a good idea. To combat acne, stick with your Epiology skincare routine and don’t forget to use a high SPF sunscreen (inside or outside!).

Myth #5: Never moisturise oily-prone skin

For those that struggle with oily skin, it’s a total myth that you shouldn’t moisturise. Just because your skin has a lot of oil, it doesn’t mean it has a lot of water and is well-hydrated. Moisturising with our Epiology Advanced Anti-Acne Cream is key to keeping your skin barrier healthy, providing essential, non-oily moisture while also preventing the spread of acne-causing bacteria.

Myth #6: Rubbing lemons on pimples helps

Now we’re getting into the ‘using everyday items to fix acne’ myths. This one is simple; putting lemon juice on your skin or acne is not a good idea. It’s far too acidic and can dry out and irritate your skin. Best to use those lemons for some lemonade or baking!

Myth #7: Toothpaste dries out zits

Another everyday item linked to acne – toothpaste. While you may think it will dry out those zits, it can actually irritate them and even make your acne worse. Best to stick to dermatologist-recommended skincare.