Alana Korol
Myth: Your diet has nothing to do with acne
False: Two studies in the '60s and '70s found that chocolate was not associated with acne, says Jennifer Burris, a doctorate candidate at New York University. "These studies were so popular that people concluded diet had nothing to do with acne and stopped researching the topic for the next 40 years." Ummm, excuse me? No studies were done for 40 years? That sounds like some Area 51 junk.
The truth is that people who ate more sugary foods, dairy products, unhealthy fats, and less fish were more likely to have moderate to severe acne. So, if you want to be acne-free or reduce your chance of having acne, lose the sugar craving and eat more fish. Plus, fish is good for you, so you will live longer, and that's a two-for-one bonus, right?
Myth: If you have acne, you should never eat chocolate
Wellll, let's not get too hasty here, shall we? Yes, there is a connection between diet and acne. It's unfair to Chocolate to be cast as the bad guy here. Dark chocolate is advised because the acne-causing culprits are dairy and sugar. The higher the percentage of cocoa, the lower the glycemic level.
Myth: Acne is a teenage problemo
Yes, since our hormones rage as teens and this increases our oil production that causes bacterial inflammation and pimples, a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that 50% of women between 20 and 29 years old, 35% of women between 30 and 39 years old and 26% of women between 40 and 49 years old reported having acne. (Note: Adult acne is more common in women than men, naturally.) The same surge of hormones we experience as teens are to blame. "Your estrogen increases at your first period and perimenopause," says Dr. Gohara. That's why women are sooo lucky to have acne as teens and later in life. The hits keep coming, right ladies?
Myth: Stronger products are better products
False: Anyone looking for an acne solution knows that benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are the leading ingredients. These are recommended because benzoyl peroxide blasts bacteria, and salicylic acid unclogs your pores. But that doesn't mean you have to irritate your face. A review published in Expert Opinion Pharmacotherapy found no difference between 2.5 benzoyl peroxide products and ones that had 10% - other than the more potent products could be more irritating.
The beauty of Naturasil Acne Solutions is that it's an all-natural and organic-based product that has Chamomile Flower Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Leaf Oil, Lavender Oil, Orange Peel Oil, Pelargonium Leaf Oil, Isopropyl Alcohol and Phosphoricum Acidum (Phosphoric Acid).
Myth: Stress can't cause acne
Big old fat lie! "Stress creates a hormonal imbalance in the body, which can lead to acne," says Dr. Germain. There is also research that implies stress-induced inflammation may also play a role in affecting men and women of all ages. But that's an easy fix. According to the study in The Journal of Nursing Research, you can reduce your stress significantly by a 90-minute yoga class.
