There is a great deal of information distributed about acne and its causes and that information is a mix of both fiction and fact. So, let us take a look at some of the things which are being circulated and see if we can divide the fact from the myth.

Food

There is no direct link between eating such things as chocolate or greasy cheeseburgers or drinking too many soft drinks and getting pimples. What is true is that food plays a role in the way the body functions and therefore it does have a minor part in whether acne is less or more likely.

For example, greasy foods do not directly convert into increased oil production from the sebaceous glands which contributes to acne, but foods which do contribute to an increase in oil production would have an effect. However, iodized salt is the only food substance that has been demonstrated to have any real effect and it only worsens acne but does not cause it.

Cleanliness

The odds of getting a pimple are increased when a pore becomes plugged and bacteria are trapped inside. What this means is that hygiene habits that work to close the pores can play a role. But this effect is only small and the bacteria and dead cell skins which get trapped and are unable to make their way out of the pore are only influenced to a minor degree by insufficient regular face washing.

Nonetheless, after acne occurs then good skin hygiene is especially important and mild cleansing two times each day with soap and water can help in treating acne and promoting healthy skin in general. Cleanliness is a good idea for several reasons although it is most helpful in treating acne by providing a good surface for medications to work most effectively.

Acne spots are greatly influenced by excess skin oil (sebum) production that is triggered primarily by hormones and abrasive cleansers which are applied roughly do not only clear away this excess oil but also affects the skin's ability to cope with it.

Stress

Because stress tends to weaken the body's immune system and influence its level of hormones it could be thought that stress would play a role in the onset of acne. However, there is no clear evidence to suggest that stress causes acne, although there is some evidence to suggest that it could play a minor role once acne has developed.

One difficulty in assessing the role played by stress is that people who suffer from chronic stress generally also suffer from other health problems that can complicate things. Bear in mind also that we are talking here about clinical stress and not just the worries that we all experience as part of the ups and downs of everyday life.

Medicines

A lot of individuals are tempted to raise the dosage of an over-the-counter medication in the belief that if a little can do a little good then a lot will do a lot of good. Unhappily, this is not the case and it is both a waste of medicine and can actually damage the skin. You should always stick to the instructions on any acne medication and if an over-the-counter medication is not showing signs of working within two or three weeks then it is a good idea to consult a dermatologist.