The Manual Guide to Fighting Adult Acne

While acne is a nuisance during your teen years, it can be even more annoying as an adult. We turned to a few acne experts for tips:

Celebrity dermatologist and acne expert, Dr. Whitney Bowe:

Clean Up Your Diet Nutrition may influence acne for some people.[1] Maintaining a diet of low glycemic index foods like non-starchy vegetables, steel-cut oatmeal and most fruits has been associated with improvements in acne.It may also be beneficial to avoid refined carbohydrates, such as white bread or white rice.

Give Probiotics a Try People with acne-prone skin can benefit from daily use of a topical or oral probiotic. When applied topically, probiotics cause bacterial interference and protect the skin. When taken orally, such as Lactobacilli, Bifidobacterium or in yogurts containing live cultures, probiotics could influence skin conditions such as acne by affecting what is known as the “gut-brain-skin axis.”

Talk to your dermatologist It’s important to visit your dermatologist to discuss treatment options and figure out what works best for you.

Television host and blogger, Lindsey Calla lives by these simple wellness tips:

More Matcha Matcha has a high concentration of antioxidants. Try it in a latte or add it to your morning green smoothie.

Breathe, Stretch, Meditate Engaging in a form of relaxation such as yoga, tai chi or meditation can greatly reduce stress, which may cause acne to flare in women. I also recommend taking five to ten minutes at the beginning or end of your day to focus on deep breathing in order to relax.

Make Time to Sweat Regular exercise is important for overall well-being and can improve some skin conditions that are worsened by stress.8,9 Exercise can also improve your mood by reducing stress and increasing the production of endorphins.

Annie Chiu, Los Angeles-based dermatologist and acne expert:

Make easy adjustments to your skincare routine For example, if you tend to have oily hair you may want to consider shampooing daily.

Watch what you eat Nutrition, specifically carbohydrates, may impact acne for some people. In this case, it may be beneficial for those who suffer from acne to adopt a diet consisting of low-glycemic foods, such as non-starchy vegetables and 100% stone-ground whole wheat or pumpernickel bread, and avoid refined carbohydrates.

Proativ+ Complete Kit
Everybody from Diddy to Justin Bieber endorses this, and it’s been tried and true for years. If you have severe acne, this is probably your best bet.
$69.95 at proactiv.com.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo and La Roche Posay Effaclar Gel
There’s a reason why the French have such good skin. They wash their faces with the refreshing La Roche Posay Gel, and then they treat their acne with La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo, which has Micronized Benzoyl Peroxide (5.5%) to fight acne deep in the skin, plus Micro-Exfoliating LHA provides precise cell by cell exfoliation to clear away dulling cellular debris and oil.
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo, $39.95 at laroche-posay.us; La Roche Posay Effaclar Gel, $14.99 at laroche-posay.us.

Jack Black 3-in-1 Clear Complexion Solution Razor Bump & Acne Treatment
This handy product treats acne, razor bumps and it also acts as a daily astringent
$25 at nordstrom.com.

Menscience Men’s Acne Treatment System
This treatment system was developed specifically for the needs of men.
For more information, visit menscience.com.

Kiehl’s Acne Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment
This treatment is formulated with a powerful blend of blemish-fighting Dioic, Salicylic and Lipo Hydroxy Acids to clear up your skin.
$30 at kiehls.com.