When it comes to acne, myths abound. Perhaps this is because this problem shows up just at the wrong time for the wrong people. What could have worse timing than a zit, anyway, which shows up just as a young person is preparing for a special dance or has just met someone interesting? Truly, life isn't fair! But be that as it may, just how much do you know about acne? Here are some commonly held beliefs about acne, but are they truths or myths?

1. Eating chocolate causes acne. Myth. No scientific evidence has ever linked acne with anything in the diet. Fried foods have long been spurned by people attempting to get rid of zits, and it is certainly better for the health to give them up. But they have never been proved to cause acne to get worse.

2. There is no cure for acne. True. Acne can't be cured, but it can be prevented. Not only can you lessen its severity by using the right products, you can also reduce the likelihood of getting it by taking good care of yourself.

3. Acne is a sign that a person is dirty. Myth. Dirt has nothing to do with a person getting acne. It is caused by the build up of natural skin oils, dead skin cells, and bacteria withing a pore of the skin. Proper cleansing is an important part of prevention, but for some people, acne happens in spite of a rigorous routine of face washing.

4. If you have acne, you should get out in the sun more. Myth. The sun is simply not good for skin. The illusion of acne getting better in the sun is simply that a slightly sunburned face does not show red bumps as much as a lighter toned face. The sun can actually make acne worse, because it causes more of the skin cells to die. These in turn can clog up pores, causing zits.

5. People with acne should avoid using a moisturizer. Myth. This may have been true at one time, but there are a wide variety of products on the market these days that keep the skin moisturized without clogging the pores. Look for the term "noncomedogenic" on the label. And don't forget to look for products that contain a sunscreen.

6. If chocolate and fried foods don't cause acne, it must not matter what I eat. Myth. Nutritious, healthy foods contribute to the overall health of the body, including the skin.

7. Stress causes acne. To some extent this is true, but there is more to the equation. Stress causes an increase in the substance cortisol in the body. Cortisol causes the skin to secrete more natural oil, which is known as sebum. This extra oil can combine with dead skin cells to clog the pores and cause acne.

8. Women get acne sometimes because of hormones. True. Hormones exhibit a wide range of effects on the whole body, and that PMS-related zit you always seem to get is not a figment of your imagination.

Acne is no fun, but it can be treated. Know the facts about your face!