True or False Facts on Acne

Q. Mineral oil causes clogged pores.  A. False  This is a common belief among professionals and consumers. Pharmaceutical-grade or cosmetic mineral oil is noncomedogenic meaning this will not clog your pores and you won’t  need a sledge hammer to remove them.  Many studies have shown that this does not form comedones. It has shown to actually decreases any swelling in acne patients.

Q. Breakouts after facials are an indication that the skin is purging itself of toxins.  A. False  Breakouts and pimples that seem to surge after a facial are inflammatory or irritant reactions to the methods or products used in the treatment.  Inflammation occurs in the follicle during the facial treatment and causes swelling of the follicle walls, which impairs oxygen from reaching the bottom of the follicle.  Acne bacteria are anaerobic, and thrive in an environment void of oxygen. 

Q. Eating greasy foods will not flare acne.  A.  True Even though eating excessive amounts of fried foods is not a healthy nutrition habit there is no scientific evidence that greasy foods cause or worsen acne.  There is however working in a greasy environment, such as over a fryer at a fast food restaurant, may worsen acne due to skin being exposed to airborne grease from frying foods. Even greasy foods aren’t good for your skin let alone your insides!

Q.  The sun can help dry up acne.  A.  True Ultraviolet rays of the Sun do kill acne bacteria and help to dry up acne lesions.  Additionally, natural pigmentation from tanning can help hide the redness of acne.  Fairer skin tends to show the redness more than darker skin types.  The ultraviolet rays can cause swelling and long-term damage to the skin and you might end of looking like a raisin and may even get skin cancer!  You can use appropriate skin care products to help dry up acne lesions.

Q. Natural products are less likely to cause breakouts.  A. False  I have never understood when people are telling me “but it is natural” during a consultation.  I usually respond with so is strictnine, lead, cocaine from the Poppy flower and pot so?  There is no evidence that skin care products with natural ingredients work better than those made with synthetic ingredients.  Many natural ingredients contain natural oils that can penetrate into the follicle when applied, causing the product to be actually comedogenic or acnegenic.  Essential oils, however, can stimulate and irritate the follicles and usually a carrier oil is used for aromatherapy in the product that are known to be comedogenic.