While we're not saying you should abandon hygiene all together, Spunt and O'Connor say that you don't always need to wash twice a day. If you skipped wearing makeup and don't live in a polluted city, you can likely get away with sudsing up once a day or even every other day.

In fact, washing less can even be better for you. O'Connor says that cleansing (especially with a harsh product) strips your face of its natural, hydrating oils, drying skin out and also leaving it vulnerable to bacteria. Do that too often, and you could be looking at zit-causing bacteria making its way into your pores.

We think of dead skin cells as the enemy, but they do serve a purpose, says Gold. What does the skin you don't slough off do? It shields your complexion from environmental pollutants and bacteria. Rather than scrubbing daily, you should only exfoliate once every two weeks, Gold says.

Graf also points out that it's not just how often you exfoliate, but the type of exfoliator you're using that also matters. She recommends avoiding face scrubs because "the sharp edges of the particles in some scrubs made from apricot pits and walnut shells can injure the skin." Instead, try chemical exfoliants (like alpha hydroxy, glycolic, or lactic acid) or more gentle scrubs made from rice or synthetic beads. Graff says to look for products that say they are gentle enough for daily use (but you should still only use them every two weeks). Chemical exfoliants may give you a slight tingly feeling, but if you're ending up with red or irritated skin, the product is too intense and you should try something gentler (look for lower concentrations of the active ingredients).

The truth: Gold says these ingredients are for everyone. Or at least, everyone who wants help with acne, wrinkles, pore size, skin care prevention, or skin tone (so, as we said, everyone).

Gold adds that retinol has been around for close to 50 years and has a ton of research to prove its safeness. So rather than jumping from fad ingredient to fad ingredient, he recommends sticking with tried and true retinol to fix almost any skin issue.

There are a few things wrong with this rule. First, Graf says that "oil-free" isn't even a regulated term. Essentially, a brand could slap it on almost any product, so it's no guarantee that you won't get zits.

Second reason to ignore this label: Even the oiliest skin needs moisture, says Bayati. Skipping oil can lead to skin that's chronically dry, which is when skin starts to produce more oil.

Finally, Spunt and O'Connor say all skin actually needs oil -- as long as it's the right type. "We've been told to avoid oils, but there are some, like argan and coconut oil, that are skin compatible, absorb well, and even work [to prevent] acne," they say. "[These oils] have antibacterial properties and can help balance the skin." So while it may seem strange to slather on some lavender or argan oil over your broken-out skin, it may just do the trick.

If you suffer from acne, your routine probably involves using a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid spot treatment on any blemishes that pop up. But there's good reason to re-think that advice.

Spunt and O'Connor point out that these ingredients are harsh, irritating, and drying for almost everyone. So while they may kill bacteria and eventually get rid of your zit, they can also leave you with red, flaky skin that's practically impossible to cover with concealer. A better solution? "Try gentler products like willow bark and clay to calm inflammation and draw out impurities," Spunt says. "Gentler products can still fight pimples, and do so without drying your skin and making it look worse during the process."