ACNE IS NOT CAUSED BY DIRT.
Frequent washing does not improve the condition. In fact frequent washing or use of harsh soaps or keratolytics as they are sold over-the-counter may irritate the skin and limit the effectiveness of topical medications. If you suffer from oily skin, washing once or twice daily with a mild non-drying soap is suggested.

DIET PLAYS NO ROLE IN ACNE.
Even in adolescent populations, medical research shows no evidence for a relationship between acne and diet. However, if you discover a flare-up with a particular type of food, use common sense and limit your intake of that type of food.

THERE IS NO ROLE BETWEEN ACNE AND SEX
There is no correlation between acne and masturbation, sexual activity, or sexually transmitted diseases.

PICKING AT ACNE CAN MAKE THINGS WORSE.
Touching the acne, squeezing it, or wearing athletic gear over it can potentially prolong inflammation and cause excessive scarring.

DON’T APPLY HAIR PRODUCTS TO FACE. A variant of cosmetic acne, known as pomade acne, can occur if greases used to style hair are applied to skin. Pomade acne is almost exclusively seen in African-Americans and are usually seen on the forehead and temporal areas.

MANY SKIN COSMETICS WILL MAKE ACNE WORSE (USE ONLY NONCOMEDOGENIC COSMETICS).
Most cosmetics and moisturizers contain oil and can worsen acne. Be sure to check the label for cosmetics that are particularly labeled noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic. Use the table below as example.

Table from Strasburger VC, Acne, What Every Pediatrician Should Know About Treatment, Pediatric Clinics of North America, 44 (6): Dec 1997.