In this article:
Myth: You can dry up blemishes
Myth: Blemishes are caused by dirty skin
Myth: You can spot-treat blemishes
Myth: Tingling means your blemish product is working
Myth: Blemishes are caused by chocolate or greasy food
Myth: You can get rid of blemishes with a scrub
Myth: Apple cider vinegar can help get rid of blemishes
Searching online, you’ll discover all kinds of theories about why people get blemishes, weird blemish triggers and of course advice on what to do when blemishes make an unwelcome appearance on your skin.
It’s time to pull the curtain back on some of the most popular blemish myths, because knowledge is the best way to start having the healthy skin you want.
Myth: You can dry up blemishes
Water is the only thing you can "dry up," and blemishes have nothing to do with wet skin. Drying up the water and other moisture-binding substances on skin’s surface actually hurts its ability to fight blemishes and encourages blemishes and the marks they leave behind to last longer. Absorbing oil that's on the skin's surface or in the pore is radically different from "drying up" skin with harsh ingredients like denatured alcohol and products like toothpaste.
What you can do instead: Treat blemish-affected skin gently by using carefully formulated anti-blemish products that contain ingredients, like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which research has shown to control blemishes and help get skin back in the clear, faster (1).
Myth: Blemishes are caused by dirty skin
This mistaken belief often leads to over-cleaning or scrubbing with soaps and abrasive scrubs or rough bristled cleansing brushes, which only increases the risk of creating dry, flaky, aggravated skin that can also increase oil production in the pore. It's also the perfect recipe for skin that feels dry and tight underneath but is oily on top.
Research hasn’t traced blemishes to poor hygiene or dirt. But research has traced it to clogged pores which is why a chemical exfoliant that contains salicylic acid is so vitally important (2).
Myth: You can spot-treat blemishes
Although you can reduce the redness, swelling, and aftermath of an existing blemish with a salicylic acid (BHA) exfoliant or with a benzoyl peroxide product, that doesn't help deal with the blemishes that are starting to develop.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman says, “When it comes to blemishes treatment, where there is smoke there’s usually fire so treat the entire area instead of playing whack-a-mole with the blemishes that you see.” Dealing with only the blemishes you see means you’re ignoring those that are forming but not visible yet. This leads to a cycle of chasing blemishes around your face.
Spot-treating is an OK option for those who rarely experience blemishes, but if that isn’t you, then full face application is essential for getting and maintaining the best results.
Myth: Tingling means your blemish product is working
This is a common myth that way too many people believe. Here’s the truth: Ingredients that make your skin tingle, such as menthol, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemon and alcohol show up in countless anti-blemish products but are a serious, sensitising problem for skin.
Research showing these ingredients have any benefit for blemishes or oily skin is lacking but there is research showing how these sensitising ingredients aggravate skin, making blemishes and oily skin worse.
Myth: Blemishes are caused by chocolate or greasy food
While it’s true that eating healthy food is good for you and your well-being, research on chocolate consumption and blemishes has been mixed. Several of the earlier studies proclaiming it to be a problem were flawed or poorly done.
Greasy, fatty foods don’t seem to be blemish triggers for most people but foods (especially sources of refined sugar) that cause a spike in the hormone insulin have been linked to increased incidences of blemishes—and chocolate is often found in sugar-laden foods (3). Try curbing your sugar intake for a few weeks to see if doing so improves your skin.
Dr. Corey L. Hartman adds, “Proteins in skim milk have been definitively linked to flares.” So, maybe try a plant-based milk alternative if you suspect milk to be a contributing factor to your blemishes (4).
Myth: You can get rid of blemishes with a scrub
If only it were that easy! First, abrasive scrubs are harsh on skin, disrupting its healthy-looking, vital surface and defeating its ability to fight off blemishes. The harshness can also increase oil production, which we’re betting isn’t what you want.
As stated above, blemishes aren't caused by skin being dirty and therefore needing a "deep" clean. You can use a gentle washcloth with your water-soluble cleanser or a soft-bristled cleansing brush for extra cleansing, but it must be gentle. Not being gentle will make your skin mad, and the reaction won’t be good.
Myth: Apple cider vinegar can help get rid of blemishes
Let’s cut right to the chase: Scientific research hasn’t shown apple cider vinegar to help improve blemishes. You might find reviews from people who swear by ACV, but, in truth, using apple cider vinegar for blemishes is liable to do more harm than good (5)!
So, how did the apple cider vinegar for blemishes myth become a pervasive thing? Misleading research. Although there’s no research proving blemish treatment with apple cider vinegar works, research has shown that acetic acid, a potent acid and component of apple cider vinegar, has antibacterial properties. But, even then, acetic acid was only shown to work against some types of bacteria, not the specific type that plays a role in blemishes. It seems the researchers simply figured that if it works for some types of bacteria, then it must work for all bacteria—that’s not the case.
Vinegar’s natural acidity does allow it to dissolve dead skin cells that contribute to blemishes and clogged pores. That may make it tempting to try, but we strongly recommend that those with blemishes stick to the research-proven ingredients that, when carefully formulated, deliver effective results without irritating skin.
Even slightly misusing apple cider vinegar can cause stinging, flaking, redness and irritation due to the potent acetic acid present. Instead reach for the top over-the-counter contenders for blemish-prone skin: benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Those two ingredients, which are present in our CLEAR anti-blemish products, are the gold standards for getting and keeping blemish-free skin—save the ACV for salad dressings.
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References for this information:
- Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, July 2016, pages 220-221
- Journal of Pharmacology, January 2015, ePublication
- Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, May-June 2013, pages 291-299
- American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, August 2020, pages 55-65
- The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, June 2015, page 50