When your face breaks out in a mass of lumps and pimples, you might think that it may have been caused by something that you have eaten, or the soap that you have been using. You might even blame it on some of the most unlikely things that you have been in contact with recently. Such are the acne misconceptions, which most people like to assume that have no valid grounds whatsoever.

One of the most popular acne misconceptions is that it is just a stage that teenagers go through, and is a natural part of life. Most people suffer from acne outbreaks from early adolescence to adulthood. The truth is that not all teenagers are plagued with outbreaks of acne, although nearly all are, because of the hormonal change that occurs during this time of their lives. But it is not true to claim that only teens are affected by acne. Almost every one will suffer from a bout of acne at some point of their lives, from the cradle to the rocker.

Another myth that people think to be a cause of acne is emotional stress, when in truth there is no definite link between stress and acne, except for the stress that is a result of the shame that acne sufferers have to put up with. Acne is a disease that affects the skin and in order to prevent acne outbreaks you must care for your skin properly.

The typical idea that acne is a result of poor hygiene is another myth that has no basis. Washing affected parts of the skin does not alleviate the symptoms of acne, but it will help to prevent the disorder from affecting other areas of the body. Establishing a daily skin cleansing regimen needs to be part of every one's agenda.

One more of the well known acne misconceptions is that it can be caused by eating greasy food. Desserts, candy and dairy foods are not the major cause of acne, although in a few cases they might aggravate the symptoms of acne. If your children are affected by acne, make sure that they keep to a healthy diet with lots of fruit, green vegetables and lean meat.

In order to be able to adequately treat acne, you should first learn why the disorder has attacked you personally, and dismiss the acne misconceptions that others hold firm.