<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" &amp;quot;How Can I Stop Breaking Out? The dermatologist says...  Much of what you do to treat adult acne (which is incredibly common, affecting 50 million Americans) also helps prevent it in the first place. Start by washing your face every day with a mild cleanser that won&amp;#039;t dry out your skin, like Cetaphil or Noxzema, or a fragrance-free soap like Dove. Avoid antibacterial soaps, which can actually get rid of the &amp;quot;good&amp;quot; bacteria and cause more of the acne-causing kind. Over-the-counter treatments that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can help heal breakouts, but apply them only to the affected area, since they&amp;#039;re drying. If your complexion doesn&amp;#039;t improve in four to six weeks, consider going to a dermatologist. He may start by prescribing topical antibiotic lotion or another treatment that contains higher amounts of benzoyl peroxide, alpha hydroxy acid or retinoids like Retin-A\u2014all of which can help clear up existing acne and prevent new breakouts. Also ask your dermatologist about blue-light treatments, which use a powerful light to penetrate the skin and kill bacteria in hair follicles. The treatments are usually the most effective way to deal with bad cases, but they can be expensive ($350 and up); however, insurance may cover them. ALBERT M. LEFKOVITS, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine The nutritionist says... Avoid foods high in fat and sugar\u2014they can increase your body&amp;#039;s production of insulin and other hormones, which in turn causes your skin to produce more oil. Milk, yogurt and cheese also have compounds that stimulate insulin production, so try to cut back on dairy for a month to see ifit helps (but take a calcium supplement with 1,000 mg calcium and 600 IU vitamin D). On the flip side, foods high in omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce acne-causing inflammation, so try eating fatty fish like salmon at least twice a week. Walnuts, flaxseed and canola oil are also good sources of omega-3s. One more food helper: vegetables. A recent study found that young women who ate five servings of vegetables a day had 30% fewer pimples. And always eat a healthy breakfast\u2014skipping meals can also result in excess insulin. Karen Ansel, RD, spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, author of Healthy in a Hurry The gynecologist says... The hormonal shifts that you go through, whether by month (every time you ovulate) or age (as you get closer to menopause), can affect your skin. When estrogen and progesterone levels drop to their lowest levels during your menstrual cycle and as you go through menopause, there&amp;#039;s relatively more testosterone in your system, which can prompt your skin to make more oil and break out. The good news: Hormone-related breakouts almost always clear up once you stop getting your period. Before that happens, birth control pills can help regulate hormonal fluctuations and keep testosterone levels low. High stress levels can also cause your glands to release more oil, so managing stress through exercise or doing something relaxing every day can help. ELIZABETH LYSTER, MD, obstetrician and gynecologist specializing in hormonal imbalance, author of Dr Liz&amp;#039;s Easy Guide to Menopause "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/womens-health/advice/a44838/how-to-stop-breakouts/?link=emb&dom=stylelist&src=syn&mag=wdy>