Skincare myths and facts

Alcohol might seem beneficial for acne-prone consumers with oily skin as it instantly degreases skin, but beware, the effect is only temporary. Alcohol is highly irritating, removes the skin's natural lipids, disrupts its barrier (microbiome) and worsens inflammation. Very often, consequently, skin will try overcompensating the dryness with more sebum, which increases the likelihood of breakouts, and will be more prone to irritations. Choose gentle, lightweight, soothing products instead.

Toothpaste is not a good spot treatment. It doesn't zap your zits and fluoride doesn't have anti-bacterial properties. Drying out a breakout with toothpaste isn't going to help heal it, it'll only cause redness and irritation. Stick to what works. Use ingredients like salicylic acid (BHA) and azelaic acid and leave toothpaste for your teeth!

While it’s true that eating healthy food is good for you and your overall well-being, research on greasy food consumption and acne has been mixed. Several earlier studies proclaiming it to be a problem were flawed or poorly done. Greasy, fatty foods don’t seem to be acne triggers for most people but foods (especially sources of refined sugar) that cause a spike in the hormone insulin have been linked to increased incidences of acne. Try curbing your sugar intake for a few weeks to see if doing so improves your skin.

The common expression, “your skin has to get worse before it gets better” isn’t universally true. Oftentimes when people start using new acne products, especially exfoliants or retinoids that accelerate skin cell turnover, a new crop of breakouts can appear seemingly overnight and then disappears before clear skin is revealed. This phenomenon, called “skin purging”, is relatively common and looks different to having a flare-up or worsening of acne. The easiest way to tell the difference between skin purging and routine breakouts is timing. Breakouts caused by acne shouldn’t worsen when starting a product known to improve acne and, as a rule of thumb, skin purging will trigger comedones (small, white spots under the skin AKA whiteheads) rather than inflamed pustules, nodules or deeper cysts. Overall, flare-ups caused by skin purging often tend to appear and then disappear much faster than regular breakouts.

No, they can also be sebaceous filaments. If they have a semi-clear tone, or a grey or yellow tinge, what you’re likely seeing are sebaceous filaments. A sebaceous filament may or may not turn into a blackhead – the determining factor is whether the sebum in the pore lining becomes exposed to oxygen (thereby oxidizing and becoming dark, changing into a blackhead). Another difference? Blackheads have a plug-like appearance when extracted, whereas sebaceous filaments more closely resemble a free-flowing column of wax-like sebum (resembling a tiny strand of hair) as they are squeezed out.

It’s unlikely that your shower water is causing your acne but if you are cleaning your face and neck in the shower, chances are you’re using water that’s too hot. High temperatures can strip the skin’s oils and potentially irritate skin. The easiest way to ensure you’re using the right temperature water (lukewarm) is to wash your face separately, over the sink.

No, acne is not limited to teenagers. While it is commonly associated with adolescence due to hormonal changes during puberty, acne can affect people of any age. Adult acne is relatively common, and various factors, including hormonal fluctuations, stress, genetics, and lifestyle choices, can contribute to acne breakouts in adults.

Only a small percentage of people have truly dry skin and acne, and they might struggle to keep blemishes at bay while keeping skin nourished and soothed. It’s important to bear in mind that acne is an inflammatory disorder so, it benefits from gentle, non-irritating products. Be sure that your skincare routine is free from aggravating factors such as denatured alcohol, fragrances and harsh cleansers, and enriched with calming and nourishing antioxidants. This is the gentle yet effective way to get your dry skin and acne under control. Still not sure? Contact our skincare experts for personalised advice that’s just right for you.

Exposing acne-prone skin to sunlight without adequate protection causes long-term damage. While the immediate feeling of your breakouts or oily skin “drying up” coupled with getting a tan helps visually mask the look of existing breakouts and old post-breakout marks, research shows that the havoc UV rays wreck on skin is going to make matters worse. Skin becomes dehydrated by the sun and will react by thickening and producing more oil, which results in more pore clogging and worsens inflammation due to the oxidative cascade triggered by UV rays. You also run the risk of red spots turning into darker, stubborn marks.