It’s hard to tell what’s good and what’s bad for your skin these days. There are tons of misconceptions floating around the internet that, if you’re like me, have ended in some serious breakouts. We’re here to squash the myths and give you the facts.

1. Only teenagers suffer from acne.

Boy, does my 25 year old self wish this was true. Sadly, it is not. Acne affects people of all ages, genders, and races. 30% of adults and 85% of teens get some form of acne throughout their life. Adult acne and teenage acne are not the same thing, although both are heavily concerned with the body’s hormones. Teen breakouts tend to consist of small pustules or blackheads close to the skin’s surface. Adult acne is much deeper, more cystic and concentrated around the jawline. Adolescents typically experience acne around puberty, ages 10-15, while adults can experience it from their 20’s into their 50’s. Stress is the second leading factor of acne. When you’re stressed your body produces more hormones, which makes your skin secrete more oils, clogging your pores. So remember, stress management is skin management!  Our Founders, Joseph & Sabrina Maine (brother/sister duo) discovered the healing properties of Mojave Mask when seeking help for their acne. They loved it so much that we added it to our line! 

2. Washing your face more helps to clear acne.

It’s very natural to want to respond to breakouts by amping up for your skincare routine and washing your face more, but this can actually cause more harm than good. Your skin has a natural barrier that helps to protect you from breakouts. Washing away dirt and makeup from the day is great, but be careful not to overdo it and damage your natural skin barrier. Two key acne-fighting ingredients to look for in a face wash are Salicylic Acid and Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA’S). Salicylic acid is an effective and powerful exfoliant that helps keep pores clear by exfoliating inside the hair follicle. AHA’s slough off dead skin cells that cause pimple-producing clogged pores and leave you with smoother, softer skin.

3. Popping pimples safely is OK

Tempting as it may be, popping your pimples is never okay. Trying to pop your pimples not only inflames the area, welcoming more bacteria, but also causes acne scars that last way longer than your temporary zit. Mojave Mask can be used as a spot treatment for quick relief to a breakout. Mojave Mask is an astringent and works to shrink the appearance of pores, tighten skin, cleanse irritants from skin, reduce inflammation, reduce acne, and provide antibacterial benefits. Get even more benefits by steaming your face during or after your at-home facial. 

4. Toothpaste can clear up acne. 

This is an old wives’ tale that we should all just put to rest. Household items are not meant for your face and can affect the natural Ph levels of your skin. For a stronger effect, mix Mojave Mask with apple cider vinegar. ACV contains alpha hydroxy acid which can exfoliate the skin, absorb excess oils and unplug blocked pores. 

5. Eating greasy and oily foods causes acne.

Luckily for us, this isn’t true! There has been no connection made between eating foods like pizza, candy, fries and all the other indulgent goodies. However, recent research has found connections between acne flare ups and eating non-organic dairy products. I guess it was a little too good to be true. 

6. Tanning clears up acne.

While getting some sun on your face isn’t all bad, we should always be protecting our skin from ultraviolet rays. It is proven that the sun can cause premature aging and skin cancer. The sun is good for many things, but it is not an answer to acne. Rejuvenate your skin naturally by using Mojave Mask, which is made of 100% pure and natural calcium bentonite clay straight from the Mojave desert! 

Now that we’ve debunked the internet’s biggest acne myths, you can feel good about trusting Trademark Beauty’s Mojave Mask.

How to use it: Mix clay with equal parts of clay and raw apple cider vinegar (or water for sensitive skin). Use a non-metal bowl and utensil. Stir the mixture until the consistency is smooth, add more clay or liquid as needed. Apply a quarter-inch layer to the face or scalp avoiding the eyes and under eyes. Let dry for 5-10 minutes for sensitive skin and 15-20 for normal skin. The pulling and tightening sensation means its working! Remove clay by washing with warm water and gently wiping with a soft cloth or mask remover. Use once per week for normal skin, more often for problem skin.

Xx Kaitlyn Burrow