Dispelling Acne Myths

Table of Contents

1. Our philosophy

2. Myth 1

3. Myth 2

4. Myth 3

5. Myth 4

6. Myth 5

7. What to do?

8. List of common ingredients that make acne worse

Acne is a debilitating skin condition. It greatly affects self esteem, can be very painful, and can lead to scarring. I have undergone many acne trainings as an esthetician as acne is one of my favorite things to work on as an esthetician. Here are the top 5 myths about acne, and why they aren't true.

If you're committed to finding and dealing with the root cause of your acne, and getting rid of it for good, schedule your consultation at Awaken in Naperville today!

Myth 1: Acne is caused by dirty skin.

Why it’s not true:

• Acne is primarily caused by internal factors like hormonal imbalances, overactive sebaceous (oil) glands, hereditary factors, and gut health—not dirt.

• Over-washing or harsh scrubbing can strip the skin of its natural barrier, causing irritation and increased oil production, which can make acne worse.

Myth 2: Popping pimples makes them go away faster.

Why it’s not true:

• Popping pimples can push bacteria and debris deeper into the skin, causing more inflammation and potentially leading to scarring or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

• It’s better to treat acne with professional extractions or leave it to heal naturally with appropriate skincare.

Myth 3: Eating greasy food causes acne.

Why it’s not true:

• While a poor diet can contribute to inflammation, eating greasy food doesn’t directly translate to oily skin or acne.

• However, some foods with high glycemic indexes (like sugary or processed foods) may aggravate acne by triggering spikes in insulin and inflammation.

Myth 4: Facials cause breakouts

Why it’s not true:

• Acne lives under the surface of the skin for months! A facial helps to increase cellular turnover which can cause the skin to purge.

• Purging is everyone's least favorite part of a holistic approach to acne, but it is the most necessary to truly clear your skin.

Myth 5: Acne only affects teenagers.

Why it’s not true:

• Adult acne is common and often linked to hormonal shifts, stress, diet, or skincare habits.

• Many adults, particularly women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, experience acne due to fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, or androgen levels.

Clearing acne is a process. It takes commitment, but clear skin with less scarring is possible with Awaken's approach. Book a consult today!

Acne before and after

List of common comedogenic ingredients (by no means exhaustive) -if these are in ANY of your products (hair products, laundry detergent, make up, or skin care) they are making things worse.

1. Coconut Oil

2. Isopropyl Myristate

3. Isopropyl Palmitate

4. Laureth-4

5. Laureth-23

6. Lanolin

7. Algae Extract (and other seaweed derivatives)

8. Carrageenan

9. Cocoa Butter

10. Wheat Germ Oil

11. Myristyl Myristate

12. Butyl Stearate

13. Cetyl Palmitate

14. Oleth-3

15. Octyl Stearate

16. Stearic Acid (in some formulations)

17. Acetylated Lanolin

18. Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol

19. Algae Extracts

20. Algin

21. Butyl Isostearate

22. Cetearyl Alcohol + Ceteareth-20 (when combined)

23. Coal Tar

24. D&C Red Dyes (certain types)

25. Decyl Oleate

26. Ethoxylated Lanolin

27. Glyceryl-3 Diisostearate

28. Hexadecyl Alcohol

29. Isocetyl Stearate

30. Isostearyl Isostearate

31. Lauric Acid

32. Mink Oil

33. PEG 16 Lanolin

34. PEG 200 Dilaurate

35. PEG 8 Stearate

36. PPG 2 Myristyl Propionate

37. Propylene Glycol Monostearate

38. Seaweed Extracts (e.g., Carrageenan, Irish Moss)

39. Sodium Chloride (in high concentrations)

40. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

41. Stearyl Heptanoate

42. Synthetic Lanolin

43. Triethanolamine Stearate