Acne spoils not just the appearance but the mood as well. Acne treatment is tightly connected with lots of myths that will not help to defeat this problem…and they might even make things worse.

Bright Side presents the most widespread myths and shares how to protect your skin from harm and get rid of acne as quickly as possible.

7. Eating patterns do not affect the spreading of acne.

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There is old research that claims there is no connection between diet and acne, but modern science proves the exact opposite.

Sugar stimulates insulin production, and its overabundance can cause acne. Avoid products with a high glycemic index, such as white bread, soda, chocolate, and beer.

Acne may also appear because of hormones contained in milk, which increase sebum production. Its overabundance clogs pores and causes acne.

Eat products that will help you keep your skin clear:

• Products with a low glycemic index, such as whole wheat bread, cashew nuts, cauliflower, and cucumbers will help to reduce acne spreading.
• Zinc is contained in eggs, meat, mushrooms, and seafood and can help to restore the skin.
• Vitamin A facilitates the healing of acne. It is a reason to include carrots, cabbage, and spinach in your diet.

6. Smoking facilitates the spreading of acne.

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Many people think that smoking causes acne. Undoubtedly, tobacco use is a bad habit, but it doesn’t evoke acne spreading.

Smoking worsens skin regeneration, and acne heals more slowly.

If you quit smoking, you will see that you look better: the oxygen flow to the skin will increase, and the recovery process will go faster.

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Not all cosmetics are bad for the skin. Use products that are marked as noncomedogenic as they are produced specially for problem skin. Avoid cosmetics containing alcohols and oils. Alcohols dry the skin and cause skin irritation, which, in turn, causes acne to spread. Oils make the skin greasy and clog the pores.

Remember that cosmetics should contain:

• aloe;
• retinols;
• peptide 10.

These components improve acne healing as they stimulate collagen production.

4. A suntan helps to get rid of acne.

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UV rays stimulate the work of the sebaceous glands, causing the emergence of new acne. That’s why a tan is forbidden if you have acne. Use a sunscreen for problem skin — it will protect the skin from sunrays and acne spreading.

3. Stress causes acne.

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New pimples are not a result of stress. But if you already have acne, stress can worsen the situation: the wound and post-acne healing slows down.

2. If you wash your face more often, acne will go away.

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Acne, as well as blackheads, is caused by the clogging of pores with an excess of sebum. That’s why you may wash your face as many times as you want, but the acne will not be reduced. Thorough face washing will cause further irritation: sponges and facial brushes traumatize the skin and don’t clean it. It’s also a reason not to wipe your face with a towel. Just pat your face dry with a towel or a napkin.

Sulfate-containing (SLS, SLES) soaps and cleansers overdry the skin.

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Toothpaste contains baking soda, essential oils, hydrogen peroxide, menthol, and triclosan which can certainly dry acne but can also cause irritations and rashes.

It is better to use a benzoyl peroxide-based acne treatment, which is developed to cure acne.

Bonus

Everyone knows that it’s bad to pop pimples. Inside a pimple, there is a cocktail of dead skin cells, white blood cells, bacteria, and an oily material called sebum. Bacteria from your fingers can only worsen the existing inflammation. If you need to clean the skin up and have no time to visit a beauty parlor, you can use dental floss and scrape all the blackheads away. The pores will be unclogged. Don’t forget to treat your skin with an antiseptic.