Acne myths: which acne myths don't work?

In the world of skin care and acne there are countless myths and misconceptions that circulate, especially when it comes to the acne treatment. We've all heard of bizarre advice and strange tricks that claim cure acne, but how do we look there when dermatologist to? We'll get rid of some persistent myths and find out what's scientific about them.

You can wipe away acne by exfoliating

Why is it a myth? Acne occurs due to an imbalance: your sebaceous glands produce too much sebum, the sebum inflames and becomes acne. Your skin has a hard time maintaining its protective function and is very fragile, so don't scrub away the protective layer of skin.

This way, you make your skin just even more vulnerable and further damage your fragile skin. This will make your skin even more sensitive to infections: you will actively make your acne worse. Especially if you use a scrub with grains: they can also get stuck in your pore and make the inflammation even worse.

Drinking water can reduce acne symptoms

Why is it a myth?

Water can help keep your skin hydrated, so it's definitely recommended. But specifically for acne, it won't help much. While hydration is always good for keeping your skin calm and clear, it's not profound enough for conditions like acne. It's going to be the cause of acne does not counteract and does not inhibit sebum production and inflammation.

Squeezing out pimples helps you get rid of acne faster

Why is it a myth?

As many as 90% of those who have (had) pimples have pinched a pimple at some point. Is that possible or not? In the case of a white pimple, you can in principle pierce the pimple very carefully with a sterile needle and push out the sebum.

But the best thing, of course, is to stay away from it. Squeezing pimples only increases anxiety, congestion and redness. In addition, your hands are a breeding ground for bacteria, so it's best to keep them away from inflamed areas.

Home remedies for pimples, what's in them?

Toothpaste, apple vinegar, anti-dandruff shampoo, they would all help you get rid of acne more quickly: from drying in to curbing inflammation. From grandma knows what to do with Aunt Kaat's help, we all hope to treat acne in a cheap and easy way with home, garden and kitchen remedies. However, there is no conclusive evidence that these skin remedies really have the desired effect on your acne.

Apply toothpaste to your pimples: Toothpaste is often used because it dries pimples. This myth came about because toothpaste contains zinc. This ingredient has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect when used in medication. People thought it could have the same effect in toothpaste, but luckily there are better solutions for acne (link to acne treatment).

The anti-dandruff shampoo trend: Anti-dandruff shampoo is around on TikTok as a remedy for acne. It can help with fungal acne, but is generally very aggressive and drying out the skin. For others types of acne we certainly don't recommend this.

A diet with apple vinegar: Apple vinegar is said to have an anti-inflammatory effect on acne, but like other foods, there is no conclusive evidence for this.

Do you want to receive the right advice and the best follow-up during your acne treatment to get rid of your acne fast? Through the Skindr app on average, we will bring you into contact with our team of certified dermatologists. They work with you to find a treatment tailored to your needs.

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