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Don’t freak out about your breakout! 85% of teens struggle with acne—and adults can get it too.
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Uncovering the Truth About Spotty Skin
Worried about pimples on-screen and IRL? Don’t hide! Read on as we pop the most common myths about what causes acne—and give you the lowdown on how to really get rid of it.
Your math teacher is breaking down polynomials on-screen, but your eyes are glued to the giant volcano in the middle of your forehead. It’s red, it’s angry, . . . and it looks like it might blow any minute. You’re so busy worrying about what to do—pretend you’re having a Zoom malfunction and disable your camera? Try to pull off the indoor ski cap look?—you miss the entire class. Even worse, you’re convinced your classmates were equally transfixed by your massive zit. You’ll never make it through the semester like this. You need help— fast.
We’re here for you. First of all, relax: Acne is normal, and no one’s staring. Still, pimples can be a pain—and even painful—so it’s understandable if you’re desperate for a fix. But before you can clear up your skin, you need to clear up the confusion. Stop before you pop, and read this.
Myth 1: "Popping Zits Makes Them Go Away”
Easy squeezy, right? Wrong. As tempting as it may be to squeeze the gunk out, you’re likely to do more harm than good. When you squeeze pimples with your fingers or tweezers, you can introduce dirt and bacteria to the area—and into the pimple itself. This could lead to more redness and even infection. Worse, you can push the gunk in the wrong direction and cause new pimples to form. Overzealous popping can also tear the skin, leaving a scar. So resist the urge—it’s not worth the risks.
Myth 2: “Greasy Foods = Bad Skin”
There are plenty of reasons to avoid greasy foods. They’re high in unhealthy fats and low in nutrients. But are chicken wings and fries also causing those agonizing breakouts? The simple answer is no. There is no direct or proven relationship between food and zits, explains Dr. Cynthia Chen, who specializes in adolescent dermatology: “Unless you are smearing greasy foods on your face—grease can clog your pores—food is not likely contributing to acne.”
Seeing spots? Here’s what you need from the drugstore to keep acne under control.
BENZOYL PEROXIDE WASH
When shopping for an acne wash, look for “benzoyl peroxide” in the “active ingredients” listed on the back of the bottle. You can also purchase creams containing benzoyl peroxide, but Dr. Chen warns that they can bleach clothes.
SPF WITH MOISTURIZER
Sunscreen prevents acne scars from darkening in the sun, while the moisturizer keeps your skin soft. This is important if you’re using drying prescription acne medications. Look for products labeled noncomedogenic, which means they won’t block pores and lead to breakouts.
NON-SOAP CLEANSER
“Most people with acne have sensitive skin,” says Dr. Chen. Use benzoyl peroxide only once a day, and wash with a gentle, unscented non-soap facial cleanser (or even just plain water) all other times.
Myth 3: “Dirt Causes Acne”
Not true, says Dr. Jesleen Ahluwalia, a New York City dermatologist. Pimples pop up when the hormonal changes you experience during your teen years trigger the glands under your skin to produce an excess of an oily substance called sebum. That oil traps dead skin cells, and a plug forms in the hair follicle. Bacteria that live in the follicle can then worsen inflammation. The result: clogged, red, swollen sebum plugs, also known as pimples or zits.
Although it’s important to cleanse skin gently every day (to rinse off excess oil and dead skin cells that make acne worse), washing your face more often won’t make pimples go away. In fact, excess scrubbing can cause the skin to produce too much natural oil, leading to more breakouts.
Myth 4: “The Sun Clears Up Spots”
As recently as 30 years ago, doctors put teens with acne under sunlamps. They didn’t know then what’s clear now: The sun isn’t a treatment for acne—and trying to burn away zits can lead to skin cancer. This myth was born because the sun temporarily hides discoloration from acne, but that doesn’t last. In fact, the sun can leave you with a permanent reminder of a pimple. “It causes hyperpigmentation,” says Dr. Chen. “That’s when dark marks form at the site of an injury, such as acne.” It can also lead to an increased risk of skin cancer, so say “yes” to the SPF.
Nanette Silverberg, M.D., a pediatric dermatologist, offers these tips to keep your mask from aggravating your acne.
SWITCH UP YOUR BATHROOM ROUTINE Pore-clogging oil and bacteria can collect under your mask during the day, so wash your face when you get home (after you wash your hands) instead of waiting until you go to bed.
SKIP HEAVY MAKEUP Thicker makeup may cover up spots, but it can also lead to more pimples because of pore-clogging mineral oil— especially if, say, foundation rubs off on your mask and then back onto your skin. Better yet, go makeup free.
WASH YOUR MASK REGULARLY This cleans off both Covid-19-causing germs and the bacteria buildup that can lead to pimples. Whatever you do, don’t stop wearing your mask! Getting a zit is better than getting sick.
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