Taken from: http://healthandfitness.sympatico.msn.ca/Skin Fiction or Acne Accurate /Acne_Management/Skin_Fiction_Acne_Accurate.htm?isfa=1


When you look for answers to acne problems, you’ll likely come across a scattering of facts and old wives tales. How do you know what’s true and false?

Let us “clear up” a few of the common misconceptions about the causes and cures of acne.


Truth or Myth: Moisturizers and Makeup Will Make Acne Worse
Myth: Fear of pimples doesn’t mean you have to bury your moisturizer or pack away your makeup. Today there are many products designed for acne-prone skin that can reduce dryness and cover up blemishes. The secret is to choose non-comedogenic products, which are specifically designed to not clog pores.

Some acne treatments can make skin dry and flaky, so a good dose of moisture can be important to keep skin looking healthy. As for makeup, a heavy layer of cream foundation won’t do your face any favors. Use a light powder makeup with spot coverage instead. One more tip – a green-based cover-up will counteract redness and blend better with the rest of your skin.


Truth or Myth: Adults Get Acne Too
Truth: If you’re between 12 and 17 years old, chances are you will get acne at some point. But turning 20, or even 30, does not signal the end of breakouts. Many people, especially women, will come face to face with acne long after their teenage years are a distant memory, and even if their high-school years were blemish-free.

If you have breakouts as an adult and no history of acne, it might be helpful to see a dermatologist. Hormones might be playing a role – many women notice changes in their skin when menstruating or after becoming pregnant. Other causes range from taking certain medications to exposure to chemicals. Fortunately, the treatments for teen acne work just as well for adult acne.


Truth or Myth: People with Acne Don’t Wash Their Faces
Myth: The idea that dirty skin leads to acne is as old as acne itself. And if you believe it, you may have washed, scrubbed, exfoliated and tortured your skin hoping to get it clean enough to stop the breakouts. Sadly, this only makes things worse. Constant rubbing and scrubbing irritates the skin, causing more inflammation and redness, and it can even make your acne worse. Don’t overdo it. Washing your face twice daily with a mild cleanser is all you need.


Truth or Myth: Picking Pimples Is a Bad Idea
Truth: Resist the urge to pop! Dermatologists agree that picking at pimples won’t help. Squeezing might look like it’s helping by getting out the pus, but it actually forces the bad stuff deeper into the skin, causing more redness and inflammation. It can also attract a slew of unwanted side effects, including infection, scarring and spreading. With the help of special tools and a sterile environment, a dermatologist can safely pop a pimple, but most will tell you firmly: “Don’t try this at home.”


Truth or Myth: Sunlight Can Clear Up Acne
Myth: Although you shouldn’t hide inside if you have acne, a dose of sunshine won’t improve your skin. Despite claims that sunlight can lessen the severity of acne, there’s no proof. Even if the UV light from the sun did help acne, the side effects, such as early aging and skin cancer, are certainly not appealing.

There are many other treatment options that have been proven effective, and they can resolve blemishes without damaging your skin. Some acne treatments can make your skin more vulnerable to the effects of the sun, so be careful. A sunburn on top of a breakout is a skin disaster that is easily avoided, so a non-comedogenic sunscreen is always a good idea.


Truth or Myth: Food Has Nothing to do with Acne
Truth: Despite conflicting reports, the verdict is in. Junk food isn’t good for you, but it’s okay for your skin. Greasy food does not mean greasy skin, and chocolate is guilt-free (at least in terms of breakouts). Of course, if you find that a certain food makes your skin worse, be sensible – don’t eat it. Keep in mind that a balanced diet will keep you looking healthiest. Nutrients from foods such as fruits and vegetables can improve your overall health, including the health of your skin.