The truth behind the tall tales you’ve always been told about your skin.

1. “What you eat doesn’t affect your skin.”

Don’t we all wish? Unfortunately, skimmed milk and refined carbs like white bread, pasta, chips, cornflakes, and pretzels might actually make acne worse. Just another reason to ditch the junk for more fruits and veggies!

2. “Sweat causes acne.”

Exercise might be our best friend, but is sweat the enemy? Not quite. But while it doesn’t cause acne, a buildup of dirt, bacteria and oil can. So it’s still a good idea to wash your face after exercising or physical activity.

3. “If you have acne, lay off the make-up.”

You don’t have to miss out because of a breakout. Make-up labelled “oil-free” or “non-comedogenic,” meaning it won’t clog pores, is actually great for covering up spots. Just don’t forget to wash everything off before going to bed.

4. “The sun is good for acne.”

Quite the opposite! Aside from increasing your risk of skin cancer and early wrinkling, the sun’s UV rays can dry out skin. Your body reacts by producing more oil, which can lead to breakouts. Remember that the next time you think of skipping the sunscreen.

5. “Breakouts just mean you don’t wash your face enough.”

Wash your face twice a day. As with UV rays, cleansing too often can dry out your skin, trigger more oil production, and can form even more pimples. Yikes!