Struggling with Breakouts? These 9 Acne Lies Could Be Why

If you've struggled with acne, you've probably been told one (or all) of these common acne myths:

Myth #1: "Just wash your face more!"

Over-cleansing strips your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated. This makes acne worse by triggering your skin to produce more oil to try to moisturize itself. Acne isn't caused by dirt or sweat—it starts below your skin's surface. Instead, focus on gentle, hydrating cleansing, which will help targeted products work much better.

Myth #2: "Acne is just a teenage thing."

Not true. Adult acne is the most common skin condition, and rarely are hormones to blame (unless you have PCOS or are using the wrong birth control). Pore-clogging products, lifestyle habits (like swimming or water softeners) and certain dietary triggers all contribute. If you've been hoping your teen acne will just go away, it's time to reassess your approach.

Myth #3: "If your skincare burns, it's working."

That stinging, burning sensation? It's a sign that your skin barrier is being damaged—not that your products are working. A compromised lipid barrier can lead to breakouts, irritation and delayed results. Hydrating your skin's barrier should be your #1 goal so that your products can work their best. 

Myth #4: "Coconut oil is great for acne"

Don't fall for this one. Coconut oil is one of the worst things you can apply to acne-prone skin. It's highly comedogenic, meaning it clogs pores and causes significant breakouts.

Myth #5: "Your products don't really matter."

This is the biggest lie in the skin care industry. Your products are the MOST important thing when it comes to acne, even above diet. Using skincare products with pore-clogging ingredients (even if they claim to be “non-comodogenic” or “dermatologist approved”) will keep you struggling with acne for years. The right products are key to clear skin.

Myth #6: "Accutane will fix it forever."

While Accutane can be effective in the short term, 80% of people experience full-blown acne again just months later. Why? Because Accutane doesn't address the underlying triggers like diet, lifestyle, and pore-clogging products. Without identifying those root causes, breakouts will likely return. 

Myth #7: "It's just your hormones."

While hormones can play a role, they rarely do. Unless you have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) or are taking the wrong birth control (high in androgens or progesterone), acne is most often not caused by your hormones.

Myth #8: "It's your diet."

Certain foods can trigger acne, but they are rarely the foods you've been led to believe. Diet only contributes to 10% of your acne, not the majority as many people believe. 

Myth #9: "A natural approach is best."

Natural skincare sounds gentle and safe, but it's not the best option for acne. Most natural products have pore-clogging oils in them (like coconut oil, avocado oil, and shea butter) or irritating essential oils that can trigger breakouts..

Most of my clients have tried everything for their acne—medications, “acne” products, and expensive facials and treatments, but nothing worked. 

It was only when we removed their real acne triggers and followed a strategic, proven system that their skin finally cleared up—often in only 12 weeks.