Does chocolate cause breakouts? Are blackheads dirt? Will moisturizer clog your pores? What you think you know about adult acne is probably less fact, more fiction. And, when it comes to treating acne, it helps to understand the difference. Ready to get to the bottom of things? Here are ten myths about breakouts - busted.

1. The Truth About Acne

2. Myth #1: Acne Is A Teenage
Problem
• While it’s true that most teens (close to 85%) battle
breakouts, pimples can continue to pop up - and
even appear for the first time - in adulthood.
• In fact, the International Dermal Institute reports
that between 40 and 55% of adults ages twenty to
forty struggle with breakouts.
• Acne that develops past adolescence is typically
caused by genetics and hormones, and aggravated
by stress.
Between 40 and 55% of
adults ages twenty to
forty struggle with
breakouts.
International Dermal Institute

3. Myth #2: Junk Food Causes
Breakouts
• Research shows no direct link between junk food
and acne.
• But, as Dr. Ava Shamban explains to HuffPost:
“When people fill up on chocolate and other high-
caloric and fatty foods, they leave little room to eat
a balanced and well rounded diet, which is needed
for healthy skin.”
• Cutting out foods like refined carbohydrates,
sugars and dairy may not make blemishes vanish
overnight, but swapping in good-for-you
alternatives has the potential to improve your
skin’s health over time.

4. Myth #3: Problem Skin Is
Dirty Skin
• Hygiene and breakouts are completely unrelated.
• Health says: “Skin cell turnover is a natural
process that pushes oil and debris out of your
pores, keeping them clean. When that doesn’t
happen fast enough, your pores collect a backlog
of oil, skin debris and protein. Dirt is not part of the
equation.”
• There is such thing as cleansing too much. Over-
washing and using harsh cleansers can contribute
to the breakdown of your skin’s natural oils. This
dehydrates the skin, which overcompensates by
producing even more sebum.
“Skin cell turnover is a
natural process that
pushes oil and debris out
of your pores, keeping
them clean. When that
doesn’t happen fast
enough, your pores
collect a backlog of oil,
skin debris and protein.
Dirt is not part of the
equation.”
Health Magazine

5. Myth #4: Oily Skin Doesn’t
Need Moisturizer
• Even oily skin needs hydration and moisture.
• A healthy moisture barrier not only locks in
moisture but keeps out impurities and irritants that
can make problem skin worse.
• Opt for a lightweight hydrator that won’t bog down
your pores, like the new Acne Advanced
Clarifying Hydrator which uses zinc hyaluronate
and lotus extract to keep acne-prone skin hydrated
and shine-free.

6. Myth #5: The Stronger The
Acne Treatment, The Better
It Works
• Products that promise to dry out pimples often
include harsh chemical additives that over strip and
irritate an already inflamed complexion.
• According to Women’s Health: “Many potent acne-
blasting products strip natural oils from the skin. So
while heavy-duty formulas may make the skin feel
squeaky-clean at first, they’re actually skimming off
what your skin naturally needs and can cause
pores to panic.”
• Our organic solution is the Acne Advanced
Treatment System, which uses natural and
botanical actives to treat and prevent breakouts.
“While heavy-duty
formulas may make the
skin feel squeaky-clean at
first, they’re actually
skimming off what your
skin actually needs and can
cause pores to panic. They
then produce even more oil
and therefore, worsen your
acne in the long run.”
Women’s Health

7. Myth #6: The Black In
Blackheads Is Dirt
• Blackheads aren’t related to the cleanliness of
your skin.
• The medical term for blackhead is “open comedo”
and refers to a dilated hair follicle filled with
sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria that, unlike a
whitehead, is left uncovered. When sebum is
exposed to air, a chemical process called oxidation
occurs which causes it to darken.
• Blackheads are best treated with topical remedies
containing ingredients like salicylic acid that
exfoliate skin and soften sebum.

8. Myth #7: Applying A Spot
Treatment Is Enough To
Clear Acne
• When battling moderate to severe acne, applying
the odd spot treatment isn’t going to do the trick.
• Dr. Joshua Zeichner tells Allure: “To keep a clear
face, you need to treat the pimples you have, as
well as those hiding under the skin that have not
yet come to the surface. If you treat only the big
pimples, you won’t prevent any new ones from
popping up, and you will always be playing catch-
up, rather than keeping your face clear.”
• The Acne Advanced 3-Step Treatment System is
infused with ingredients that not only treat acne, but
also prevent future breakouts.
“To keep a clear face,
you need to treat the
pimples you have, as
well as those hiding
under the skin that have
not yet come to the
surface.”
Dr. Joshua Zeichner

9. Myth #8: Body Acne Is The
Same As Face Acne
• Body breakouts are caused by the same triggers as
facial acne, but they can be more challenging to treat.
• One of the troubles with body acne is that the pores
are spaced further apart and the skin tends to be
more tough. This can make it more difficult for topical
products to penetrate the epidermis and work as
quickly as they do on the face.
• Dermatologists recommend using products that
contain salicylic acid – like Acne Advanced
Clarifying Masque – to spot treat body blemishes.

10. Myth #9: Your Pores Can
Open And Close
• There is no way to close your pores completely. In
fact, open pores play a key role in your skin’s
health, releasing the sweat and sebum that keep it
cool and lubricated.
• The good news: Pores can be made to look
smaller. Your pores enlarge when oil and dead skin
build up and put pressure on the pore opening,
causing it to stretch. To “shrink” them down to size,
you need to clear that congestion.
• One of the best ways to minimize large pores is
with a professional salicylic acid peel performed by
a licensed esthetician.
“Often, when people say
they wish to open their
pores, what they’re
referring to is a deep
cleaning to remove excess
oil and debris. This may
make open pores look as if
they’ve shrunk or closed.”
Healthline

11. Myth #10: Acne Is Skin Deep
• Studies show that persistent acne has mental and
emotional effects that impact confidence, wellbeing
and self-esteem.
• According to the American Academy of
Dermatology, researchers have found connections
between acne and the development of depression,
anxiety, poor self-image and decreased quality of life.
• Dr. Amy Wechsler tells Allure: “Acne negatively
affects self-esteem and can lead to anxiety and
depression. Self-care often suffers, and patients with
acne often withdraw from social and work activities,
don’t go on dates and don’t try for better jobs.”
“Acne negatively affects
self-esteem and can lead to
anxiety and depression.
Self-care often suffers, and
patients with acne often
withdraw from social and
work activities, don’t go on
dates and don’t try for
better jobs.”
Dr. Amy Wechsler

12. Ready to learn more?
Find the full article at www.eminenceorganics.com/blog