Millions of people suffer from acne each year. In fact, acne is the leading skin disorder in America. If you have acne, you have probably heard a lot of myths and urban legends. Many of these myths are true, but many are false. Here is some insight into common acne myths.

Washing your face often will cure your acne. False.

In fact, washing your face more than twice a day may damage your skin even more. Many people should only wash their face twice a day. Once in the morning and once before bed, many people who scrub their face and actually damage their skin. Be gentle to your skin, many of these products are very strong, so wash only twice a day unless your face becomes inadvertently dirty or oily.

Chocolate causes pimples. False. Many dermatologists have noted that chocolate does not cause pimples.

It is not what you eat, but your hormones, bacteria and clogged pores that cause acne.

Taking birth control can control your acne. True. Many dermatologists prescribe birth control for women with severe acne. Birth control helps stabilize your hormones which can limit the amount of sebum produced.

So don’t believe everything you hear. If you have more myths, contact your dermatologist to see if they are either true or false.