Adult acne can not only be embarrassing but mystifying as well; you never suffered from acne as an adolescent so why has it decided to pop up now? If you suffer from adult acne, a few simple changes could dramatically reduce your symptoms.

1. Your Diet

Dairy products such as milk and cheese may taste delicious but they are full of oil-producing growth hormones that worsen your acne. Try to eliminate dairy completely from your diet and choose dairy alternatives such as soy milk. Food items that are high in carbohydrates and sugars like white breads should also be taken out of your diet. The surge of high blood sugar these foods provide will cause your body to produce more hormones in an attempt to level out your insulin. 

2.Check Your Cleanser

Acne is caused by hair follicles underneath the skin becoming clogged by oil, leading many people to think that a more abrasive cleanser with granules will provide a deeper cleanse and scrub away oil. However, these granules will irritate and dry out your skin, causing it to create even more oil in an attempt to heal itself. 

If your skin cleanser's label boasts a percentage higher than 2% of benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, toss it out. These high percentages will dry out your skin, causing major oil production. You will be much safer with a gentle cleanser in the range of 2% benzoyl peroxide or .5% salicylic acid. 

3.Moisturize

Many people with acne are afraid to moisturize at the risk of causing clogged pores and oily build-up. However, moisturizing is an essential part of your skin care routine and will only help in your fight against acne. Dehydrated skin will overcompensate for the dryness by over-producing more of the oil you were trying to avoid in the first place.  

Look for gentle moisturizers that are labeled for oily or acne-prone skin and use it twice daily-- after washing your face in the morning and after cleansing at night.

You can also create a Vitamin C serum at home that will combat a myriad of skin issues such as acne, clogged pores, and even wrinkles. It is easy, inexpensive, and can be completed in just a few steps. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of Vitamin C powder and one tablespoon of distilled water in a darkly tinted bottle. Store in the fridge and apply it to your face after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Fighting adult acne is also not a battle that you have to face on your own. Depending on the severity of your acne, a dermatologist, like those at Skin Center, may prescribe retinoid gels or creams, antibiotics, or even laser treatments.