THINGS THE INTERNET TOLD ME ABOUT HEALING ACNE THAT I FELL FOR
Spoiler: a lot of it doesn’t work - or worse, it made my skin (and my mental health) worse.
Here are some of the biggest myths I fell for in my acne-healing journey..and what I now know after years of struggling, studying, and finally healing from the inside out.
1. “Just cut out dairy, gluten, eggs, and sugar and your skin will clear.”
I spent years terrified of eating cheese or eggs..convinced one bite would lead to a breakout and was micromanaging my meals. These foods can be triggers for some people, but they aren’t the cause of acne.
What I didn’t realize back then was that food sensitivities are often a symptom of deeper issues, like poor gut health or inflammation. Cutting out foods might help short-term, but if you never address the root cause, the acne usually comes back - or gets worse. And of course, it’s not a sustainable or fun way to live.
2. “You just need to find the right skincare routine.”
I used to think the solution was in the next serum, cleanser, or 12-step routine. I spent so much money trying to fight breakouts topically while ignoring what was happening internally. Skincare is supportive - but it can’t undo hormone imbalances, gut infections, or chronic stress. It’s a very small piece of the puzzle.
3. “Take this supplement and watch your acne disappear.”
Whether it was zinc, DIM, spearmint tea, or inositol - I tried it all. And while some of these can be helpful, the truth is that supplements are tools, not cures.
What I didn’t understand was that without proper testing and guidance, I was just guessing. Sometimes I was taking things I didn’t even need..or that made things worse.
4. “If your acne isn’t clearing, you’re not trying hard enough.”
This one hits hard. I blamed myself constantly..for eating the wrong thing, sleeping too little, not working out enough, working out too much, being stressed, not being perfect…
Acne isn’t a punishment. It’s a message from your body that something deeper is out of balance. And no - healing doesn’t require perfection. It requires the right plan and a lot of self-compassion.
5. “Acne is just hormonal..there’s nothing you can do but wait it out or go on birth control.”
This kept me stuck in the cycle of symptom management. Yes, hormones do play a huge role in acne..but so do your gut, your liver, your blood sugar, and your nervous system (aka things that throw them off). And hormones don’t just go rogue for no reason.
Birth control for over a decade, several rounds of antibiotics, accutane (three times) and spironolactone never addressed the why. They gave me a temporary fix, but the breakouts always returned.
6. “Stress doesn’t really cause acne.”
…except it does. Chronic stress affects everything: your gut, your hormones, your immune system, your skin barrier, your blood sugar, your sleep. I wish I had realized sooner that “doing all the right things” while living in a constant state of fight-or-flight wasn’t actually helping. It can be the last barrier for many people who are actually doing the right things! Do not underestimate acknowledging this pillar.
SO ALL THAT SAID…
I fell for a lot of internet acne advice because I was desperate. I wanted a quick fix. I wanted to believe that one food, product, or supplement could make it all go away.
But the truth? Healing acne requires a whole-body approach. It means understanding your individual root causes and creating a sustainable plan..not blindly following what worked for someone else online.
If you’re stuck in the cycle of trying everything and still breaking out - you’re not alone. And it’s not your fault.
There’s a better way. One rooted in testing, foundations, and finally listening to your body instead of fighting it.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER - All content on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for advice and recommendations provided by your healthcare provider.
