Birth control pill helped mine. When I could no longer take it, I got a prescription for an antibiotic gel--I think it was Clindamycin. Some OTC products I like: sulfur soap, Skin by Ann Webb Exfoliating Serum Goji Azelaic -- 1 fl oz, Beauty Without Cruelty Organic Aromatherapy Facial Cleanser Alpha Hydroxy Complex

Coconut oil. I put that *kitten* on everything.

First you have to figure out if you have oily skin, or sensitive skin. If it's the latter, find out what irritates your skin and avoid it. It could be anything from your cellphone to your shampoo. Benzoyl peroxide face wash--get the highest percentage possible. Use once or twice a day. Use another gentle face wash for between times that is fragrance free and alcohol free and oil free. Avoid products that use tea tree oil, lavender oil, olive oil, coconut oil, peppermint oil, grapefruit, etc. They can irritate skin and clog pores. Avoid certain types of sunblocks, perfumes, lotions, bug spray, makeups, etc. for the same reason.

Products with retinol or vitamin A can thin the skin and reduce breakouts too, but they take time to work. They also make your skin bleed easily and burn in the sun easily. Foaming all day oil control wash can also help.

Change your pillowcases frequently. Keep hair away from your face. Take 1 aspirin or mild anti-inflammatory at night to encourage the swelling to go down. Grapeseed facial masks or putting an anti-inflammatory gel directly on the skin can help redness.

Hormones play a huge role, like the others have said. Genetics seems to be the main cause of acne though. Getting good sleep helps a great deal. When you sleep, your body repairs itself. But you can do everything right and still have breakouts. So don't get discouraged. Good luck!

I discovered I had rosacea; went to a dermatologist and she hooked me up with some creams and doxycycline. I've had clear skin (with maybe 1 or 2 EXTREMELY minor breakouts) for the last year or so - I finally feel like an adult!

Here is my routine (I've tried a LOT of moisturizers, cleansers and night creams!):

Face: Combo (normal, minus possible grease in T-zone) with rosacea
Treatment: prescription creams (Aczone, Finacea) and 50mg doxycycline
Current cleanser: L'Occitane Immortelle Precious Cleansing Foam (I also love the Vichy line)
Moisturizer: Neutrogena Triple Age Repair Anti-Wrinkle Daily Facial Moisturizer (Olay has a Whip Moisturizer with SPF I love too)
Previous night cream: Garnier SkinActive Soothing 3-in-1 Face Moisturizer Rose Water or L'Occitane Divine Cream (There was an Elemis brand I loved but it was way out of my price range)

• Don't touch your face
• Keep hair off your face- conditioners and oils in hair get on face)
• Sleep with hair in a ponytail or something (so it doesnt rub your face as you sleep or get on your pillowcases)
• Wash your face- when you wake up, after a workout, when you get home/before bed
• Change pillowcases or at least flip them once in a while. Face oils, makeup residue, hair conditioner, hairspray, whatever, gets on there.
• Milk /diet can totally cause breakouts. I had gnarly persistent cysts for years, reduced my dairy intake and after a few months they haven't returned ever.
• YES your body can take MONTHS to adapt to changes, please don't try random things for one week then drop them. Your body is adapting, producing, and running complex things at all times, give it time to adjust.
• If you talk on the phone at work or home, sanitize that ish sometimes.
• Drink water. DRINK WATER.
• dont wear makeup if you dont have to. This is the hardest but your skin gets plugged and covered all day with makeup, it can't breathe, can't clean itself.
• exfoliate and then clean regularly. Dead skin clogs pores like a mother effer
• Ifg you must wear makeup, look diligently for healthy makeup. I switched from the general Sephora, Maybelline, etc to a brand by my skin therapy place, and it was INSANE the difference I noticed.
• Stick to a regimen.