7 Acne Myths Dermatologists Are Tired of Debunking

The only thing spreading faster than breakouts? Acne myths. Finding solid acne advice feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. Between emerging research and recycled theories, everyone seems to have an opinion about what causes breakouts and how to treat them. And somehow, toothpaste still gets passed around as skincare advice, showing just how far we haven't come. Some of these acne myths have been around for decades, others are fresh from the latest viral video—but they all have one thing in common: they're making your skin problems worse, not better. Before trying another miracle cure or overnight solution, let's talk about what actually works and why most of that popular advice needs a reality check.

Myth 1: Acne is Caused by Poor Hygiene

Fact: Myths about acne causes keep circulating, and the skincare industry loves its favorite origin story––blaming it all on poor hygiene. Sounds convenient. Too bad it's wrong. Treating breakouts like they're just a hygiene issue is like treating a fever by changing your sheets. Your acne isn't a reflection of your cleansing routine—it pops us when oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria accumulate in your pores. And between your environment, genetics, and hormones, your skin's already fighting an uphill battle. If anything, over-cleansing just tips the scales further—your skin produces more oil to compensate, and now you're dealing with not just acne, but sensitivity and irritation too.

Myth 2: Acne Only Affects Teenagers

Fact: Acne was supposed to be a teenage problem, right up there with poor fashion choices and questionable hairstyles. Yet here we are, dealing with breakouts long after graduation. Turns out our skin doesn't suddenly become immune to acne just because we’ve started paying taxes. Sure, teenagers might experience more breakouts, but adult acne is far from rare. Common triggers include stress and hormonal changes that can show up on your skin, too. That said, there are ways to manage adult acne—it just requires more targeted solutions than your teenage remedies.

Myth 3: You Shouldn’t Apply Moisturizer if You Have Acne

Fact: The anti-moisturizer movement for acne-prone skin needs addressing. Adding more moisture to oily skin may seem counterintuitive, but your skin operates on facts, not intuition. Lack of moisture actually nudges those oil glands into overproduction, trying to compensate for low hydration levels. Now your skin's greasier and more confused than ever. Those drying acne treatments just add fuel to the fire, creating a cycle of dehydration and excess oil that's hard to break. The key isn't skipping moisture—it's being smart about what you're putting on your face. Your skin needs hydration that won't clog your pores. 

Speaking of which, let's talk about Acne Light Moisturizing Gel.   This lightweight formula absorbs instantly—unlike those heavy creams that just sit on your skin and clog pores. Co-created with dermatologists, it delivers deep hydration that lasts up to 100 hours*, with hyaluronic acid reaching deeper layers, pro-vitamin B5 supporting skin restoration, and niacinamide keeping oil production in check. All that while also supporting your skin microbiome. Turns out your acne-prone skin just needed a moisturizer with better judgment!

Myth 4: Washing Your Face More Often Prevents Acne

Fact:  Acne isn't a cleanliness contest. Those harsh cleansers with sulfates and other drying ingredients aren't fixing your breakouts—they're making everything worse. Aggressive cleansing and harsh products strip away your skin's natural oils, triggering excess oil production to replace what you've stripped away.
 
Enter our Acne Deep Clearing Cleanser––one of the best dermatologist-recommended face washes for oily, acne-prone skin. Built with TT2 technology, it brings thymol and terpineol together to eliminate acne-causing bacteria while protecting the beneficial ones your skin needs. The gentle gel formula removes excess oil without stripping your skin dry, keeping your barrier and microbiome healthy. Just six washes** to clearer skin!

Myth 5: Popping Pimples Helps Them Heal Faster

Fact: Nobody likes waiting for a pimple to heal, but popping it isn't the shortcut you think it is. Every time you pop a pimple, you're forcing bacteria, oil, and debris deeper into your skin. What looks like improvement on the surface is actually inflammation spreading underneath, often leading to scarring and new breakouts. Plus, now you've got an open wound collecting more bacteria. Once again, instant gratification makes for a misleading solution, creating more problems that you started with. Those stubborn spots need strategy, not force.

That’s where our Acne Rescue Spot Corrector comes in. Developed alongside India's top dermatologists, this acne spot corrector targets breakouts from the very first use***. The formula features our multi-patented TT2 technology, which uses thymol and terpineol to target acne-causing bacteria while leaving the good bacteria unharmed. It’s quick-drying, non-comedogenic, and very easy to use: just apply it directly to the spot and let it do its work. Granted it might not be as satisfying as popping a pimple, but it's certainly more effective (and doesn't require as much damage control afterwards.)

Myth 6: Makeup Causes Acne

Fact: Makeup isn't the acne villain in this story—but what you're using and how you're using it might be. When pore-clogging products sit on your skin for hours, collecting oil and dirt along the way, breakouts become inevitable. Dermatologists even have a name for it: acne cosmetica. The solution isn't giving up makeup altogether—it's choosing non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic products and taking them off at night. Your skin deserves better than sleeping in yesterday’s makeup.

Myth 7: Salicylic Acid is the Best Acne Solution

Fact: Salicylic acid is a two-faced “solution.” While it does kill acne-causing bacteria, it also wipes out the good bacteria your skin needs—it's like shredding your entire artwork because of one misplaced line. You're not really 'fixing' anything, but rather destroying everything, including the good bacteria your skin needs. Your skin relies on this balance of bacteria to maintain a healthy microbiome, which in turn keeps your barrier strong. Without this balance, your microbiome suffers, your barrier weakens, and you end up with sensitivity, dryness, and ironically, more breakouts. 

But acne solutions don’t have to be aggressive to be effective. Our TT2 Technology proves there's room for intelligence in skincare. After nine decades of research alongside dermatologists, we've created something different: a multi-patented technology that knows which bacteria to target and which to protect. The result? Good bacteria survive, acne doesn't—no collateral damage. Our Acne Clearing Serum brings the intelligence of the TT2 technology to your daily routine. This lightweight formula combines thymol and terpineol to clear breakouts from day seven****. It handles excess oil while nourishing your microbiome and keeping your barrier strong and breakouts away; this time, for good. That’s what makes it one of the best serums for acne-prone skin. 

Salicylic acid can find something else to destroy.

Conclusion

The skincare world loves its acne myths, but science tells a different story. Your skin isn't the enemy that needs to be fought—it's a complex ecosystem that needs balance. While old solutions focused on destroying everything to fix one problem, modern science shows us there's a smarter way. Effective acne treatment isn't about force or quick fixes—it's about working with your skin's natural defenses while precisely targeting concerns.

*Clinical study, 2023

**Over a period of 3 days (clinical study, 2017)

***Clinical study, 2017; Acne Cleanser + Gel Regime

****Clinical Study, 2021