Busting the Zith Myth

Chili's bad. Chocolate's even worse. Don't go near them if you want to keep your face zit-free. You have acne? Wash that dirty face of yours more often, why don't you? These are part of the many myths surrounding the embarrassing, annoying, and frustrating problem of acne. But are they true?

When you have acne, it doesn't mean that you're dirty or don't take good care of your face. Acne is such a problem when you're in your teen is because...Yes, you're right. Hormones! The stuff that makes guys grow tall and deep-voiced and puts the curves on girl is also responsible for zits. So, no matter how often you wash your face, as long as your hormones are still happily on a rampage, you're still in danger of erupting in zits. In fact, washing your face too often will only irritate your skin. Bits of your skin get washed up, leaving your skin exposed to bacteria, and this can only mean bad news!

Tips on zit-busting
1. Wash your face twice daily with a face cleanser that contains no soap and no alcohol (both make the skin drier). Pat dry, don't rub. Use scrub face cleanser only a month.

2. Protect your face by wearing a cap or applying sunblock.

3. Don't pick at your face. Make sure your helmet strap, cap, and other head covering that touch your face are cleaned regularly.

4. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and drink lots of water.

5. Choose cosmetic products labeled "non-comedogenic" or "non-acnegenic". They usually contain less oil.