Myth: Washing your face more often will help clear up acne.

Fact: Facial blemishes are not caused by dirt. Contrary to what you may have seen in commercials, pores do not get clogged due to "impurities". Rather, the walls of a pore stick together within the skin, starting acne formation. Far from preventing acne, frequent washing may actually irritate pores and cause them to become blocked. A washcloth can add even more irritation. The best bet is to wash very gently with bare hands, and only wash twice a day.

Myth: The sun will help get rid of acne.

Fact: The sun may work in the short-term to heal acne while reddening your skin, thus blending your skin tone with red acne marks. However, a sun burn is actually skin damage. Sun exposure causes irritation which can make acne worse. People will also often notice their skin breaking out as it heals from a sun burn. Limiting sun exposure on acne prone areas of your body is probably the best approach, but some exposure from time to time is perfectly okay (see "FAQ" for more detailed information).

Myth: Popping pimples will help them go away faster.

Fact: Popping a pimple may make it seem less noticeable temporarily, but popping can cause it to stay around longer. By squeezing pimples, you can actually push bacteria further into the skin, causing more swelling and redness — and sometimes causing a red or brown mark to form. Sometimes marks can last for many months and true scars (dents and pits) will last until scar treatment is undergone.

Myth: Don't wear makeup if you want clear skin.

Fact: As long as you choose cosmetics that are nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic, they shouldn't cause breakouts. In fact, some concealers now contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which help to fight acne. However, if you are the sensitive skin type (see "FAQ") and notice a negative connection between your makeup and breakouts, it may be best to avoid these products.

Myth: You just have to let acne run its course.

Fact: Acne can be cleared up. If the acne products you have tried haven’t worked, seriously consider this program (or another comprehensive regimen). With the products available today, there is no reason why someone has to endure acne or get acne scars.

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Sources:

Acne in Plain English—Myths Explained, Dan Kern

Myths About Acne, reviewed by Patrice Hyde, MD

Acne Myths, Acne Net