Acne Myth: Rubbing Alcohol Will Clear Up Acne
Many of our patients have come to us with false beliefs about how to improve their acne-prone skin. We’ve heard every myth from acne is contagious to toothpaste treats acne. One acne question that comes up a lot is: “Does using rubbing alcohol on the skin help get rid of acne?” The answer is no, alcohol is not a good skincare choice for acne-prone skin. While it may seem that any product that “dries out” the skin will help regulate sebum, this is not the case. In fact, the dried out skin is a negative side effect of using powerful acne medications, such as retinol, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
The truth is that drying out your skin will only lead to the over-production of sebum, not the other way around. You see, your skin is a pretty smart organ. It knows to amp up oil production if it feels as though its being robbed of its essential oils. And contrary to what you may think, sebum can actually be a good thing for your skin. Too much of it leads to acne, but the right amount helps hydrate the skin and keep it in balance.
So rather than using a harsh, drying agent like rubbing alcohol on your skin, ask your dermatologist for a spot treatment such as Acanya. If you’re in the New York area, the acne specialists at Clear Clinic will be able to guide you to the best anti-acne skincare regimen for your specific skin type.
