5 Acne Myths Debunked

Almost every guy has dealt with pimples and blemishes as a teenager. Unfortunately, acne follows many men into their adult years as well, destroying their confidence and drive.

Why do so many guys struggle to control their acne in their adult years? In many cases, it often comes down to a simple lack of knowledge about skin care and acne.

The same tired acne myths have been repeated for ages. When guys believe these harmful myths, they can accidentally make their acne worse.

Here are three of the things you ought to know:

1. Acne affects an estimated 50 million Americans, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
2. In many of these cases, acne can be eliminated or reduced with a better understanding of skin care and acne.
3. By examining the latest science surrounding men’s skin care, we can debunk common myths that prevent men from achieving clearer skin.

Scientists don’t hold all the answers to our skin care questions. However, we have enough evidence to prove that these acne myths are 100 percent false:

Myth #1: Oil is Bad for Your Skin

To combat your acne, you’ve been washing your face three times a day and stopped using your moisturizer—because oil is the cause of your acne, right?

In fact, the opposite is true. Your skin needs natural oil to keep it hydrated and healthy. While too much oil can clog pores, over-washing is not the answer. Washing your face too much can dry out the skin and cause additional breakouts.

Rather than scrub your face raw, stick to a regular skin care regimen and always moisturize after washing your face. Keeping the skin hydrated will help lock in its natural oils, which prevents your skin’s natural pH level from getting out of whack.

Myth #2: The Sun Can Clear Up Acne

In the ’50s and ’60s, researchers believed that sunlight could help reduce acne. The reasoning was that the sun’s UV rays killed bacteria that caused acne.

This myth persists to this day because many men have experienced less noticeable acne after a day in the sun. This is likely for a couple of reasons: First, the sun’s UV rays suppress the immune system, which suppresses the cells which cause redness. And second, your tan makes acne less noticeable.

By bathing in the sun without UV protection, you’re not only dehydrating your skin and potentially causing more breakouts, you’re also putting yourself at greater risk of skin cancer.

Myth #3: Men Don’t Need Different Acne Products

Using your wife or girlfriend’s acne cream may not seem like a big deal, but you’re doing your face a huge disservice. Men and women need different skin care products because there are important differences in their skin.

Our skin is thicker and produces more oil compared to a woman’s skin. This makes some acne creams ineffective because they don’t absorb into the skin as easily.

Myth #4: Popping a Pimple Is Okay When It’s “Ready”

Once a pimple has formed a head, the urge to pick at it is strong. But even if you have managed to make it through your teenage years without acne scarring, this doesn’t mean that you’re immune to it.

Although some pimple-popping methods are safer than others, there truly is no safe way to pop a pimple unless you see a professional. Without the right tools, you run the risk of damaging the skin follicle and causing permanent acne scarring.

Resist the urge to attack your blemishes. Instead, you can use a warm compress to increase blood flow and speed up the healing process.

Myth #5: Toothpaste Can Reduce Acne

How many times have you heard that putting toothpaste on your pimple can eliminate it? This myth is persistent and keeps men from investing in products that are made specifically for their skin.

Toothpaste contains ingredients that dry out the skin, which is why a lot of people swear by it. But as we’ve already described with the over-washing of your face, drying out the skin can make your acne worse.

If you want your acne to go away for good, you need to use acne treatment products that are specifically formulated for a man’s skin. Specifically, search for a product containing Salicylic Acid. In the right amount, this ingredient is tough on acne while being gentle on the skin.

Clear Facts

To those who don’t struggle with acne, these myths might seem harmless. But when you’re already desperate for a solution to your breakouts, these acne myths can make a tough situation even more frustrating.

With a better understanding of acne and men’s skin care, men can take better care of their skin and achieve the clearer complexion they’ve always wanted. If you have a friend who believes one of these myths, send them over to the Tiege Hanley blog and let them see the truth with their own eyes.