Sadly, no one is exempt from the struggles of acne. Whether it’s a few breakouts here and there or a severe case of the condition, everyone has to deal with it at some point or the other. Just so you don’t fall prey to the many misconceptions out there, we’ve come up with a list to clear the air.
- Acne occurs only during adolescence
- Acne is caused by lack of hygiene
- Popping pimples helps clear acne
Acne occurs only during adolescence

Is the phrase “Don’t worry, your acne will clear once you become older” vaguely familiar to you? Don’t be fooled—acne is not just an adolescent’s disease. Although it is most prevalent amongst teenagers, it also occurs quite frequently amongst women in their 20s and 30s. You might find it hard to believe that more adults get acne treated professionally than teenagers!
Acne does not require medical attention
When it comes it acne, denial won’t get you anywhere. It is a medical condition that can severely impact your mental health. It can hamper one’s confidence and trigger anxiety. So, if you’ve had a prolonged issue, it’s best to visit a dermatologist.
Acne is caused by lack of hygiene

If you’re always vigorously scrubbing your face in an attempt to remove all remnants of dirt off your face, save yourself the trouble. Acne is not caused by dirt accumulation, but by excess sebum production which clogs the pores. In fact, scrubbing your face too hard may actually increase the inflammation on the skin and aggravate breakouts.
Acne is caused by wearing makeup
If you’re as obsessed with beauty as we are, you’ll be glad to know that makeup does not cause acne. Although certain comedogenic products may cause your pores to clog, makeup does not really impact breakouts. You just have to ensure that the makeup you’re using hasn’t expired and that you take it off after every use. As long as you maintain good skincare habits, you can feel free to wear makeup to your heart’s content!
Popping pimples helps clear acne

We know it’s hard, but try not to succumb to the temptation of popping pimples. In contrast to what you may think, squeezing pimples actually makes your acne worse as it increases the inflammation and can lead to the formation of deep scars and indentations in the skin.
Written by Khadijah Ebrahim on Jun 29, 2018
Author at BeBeautiful.