By Rachel Hawkins, licensed esthetician, 25+ years · Updated November 2026
After 25+ years in skin care, I still hear the same myths every week. Here's what's true.
Myth 1: Only teenagers break out. Many people sail through their teens and get breakouts as adults. Hormones and stress don't check your age.
Myth 2: The sun clears breakouts. A tan can hide redness for a while, but sun exposure dries and damages skin, and that can lead to more congestion later. Wear broad-spectrum SPF daily, like Morning Moisture SPF 30.
Myth 3: Chocolate and fries cause acne. No single food "comes out" through your pores. A balanced diet supports healthy-looking skin overall, but don't blame one snack.
Myth 4: Washing more often clears skin. Over-washing strips skin, and it may answer with more oil. Twice a day with the right cleanser is enough.
Myth 5: Spot-treating is enough. The blemishes you'll see next month are forming now. Apply your clarifying product to the whole face, not only to today's spot.
Myth 6: Oily skin doesn't need moisturizer. Dehydrated skin can produce more oil. Use a light, non-greasy layer like the Balancing Emulsion.
Myth 7: Scrubbing harder works faster. Gentle, regular exfoliation with the Scrub beats harsh scrubbing every time.
The real secret is the right products used consistently. Take the Kage skin quiz to find yours.
✨ Ask Rae: Consistency beats intensity. Gentle products used every day outperform harsh ones used now and then.
FAQ
Does makeup cause breakouts? Heavy or pore-clogging formulas can. Look for "non-comedogenic" and always remove makeup before bed.
Can I use salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide together? Many people can. See my post on salicylic acid vs. benzoyl peroxide.
Ask Rae: take the skin quiz and get matched to the right Kage products for your skin, the same way Rachel would in her treatment room.