Still dealing with breakouts? Or maybe they’ve started to come on out of nowhere? Unfortunately, zits don’t always go away when your teenage years do. But they don’t have to rule your adulthood, either. Hormones, diet, stress—so many factors come and stay in our lives that will impact how our skin looks both today and for the years to come. While acne is unfortunately age-agnostic, there are some simple and effective ways to get skin in check as an adult. So whether you’ve been dealing with breakouts for awhile like I was or dealing with something more sudden, here’s a few things to try for healthier-looking skin.

1. Check your plate. Dermatologist and author of Feed Your Face, Jessica Wu, said it best, “I tell my patients that what they put in their mouths is as important as the products they apply on their skin.” Our gut is at the center of how we look and feel. If you’re not regularly eating a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods, that’s likely a big culprit for breakouts. It’s pretty simple, really. When you eat unprocessed, whole foods, your body can easily absorb all the nutrients and benefits. When you eat an avocado, for instance, all your body has to process is that avocado and its rich, heathy fats. When you opt for an overly processed frozen meal (not all are created equally), your body doesn’t reap the benefits of the nutrients in the foods because they’re not in their original, pure state. Of course, it’s hard to enjoy something fresh at every bite, but try making some simple swaps first. Even things like granola bars, protein shakes, cereals, oatmeals can be packed with extra sugar, salt and other “preserving” ingredients that can irritate skin. Try cutting out as many of these unfriendly foods as possible for 1 week and see what a difference it can make. Be sure to drink plenty of water too, to flush out toxins and keep skin hydrated from the inside out. To kickstart the day, hot lemon water with ginger is a great way to promote healthy digestion all day long.

2. What’s new in your routine? Did you recently switch to new makeup, start using a new cleanser, or buy different laundry detergent? Skin is so sensitive and it could simply be that you’re irritated by new ingredients. Either, wait it out for a week or two and see if it’s just your skin trying to adapt to something new, provided it’s a quality product, or, if the problem persists, go back to sticking with what works. The people I know with the clearest and healthiest skin have simple, consistent routines. I know that’s not the sexiest thing when it comes to beauty talk but when it comes to your face, simple is best. My regime involved way too many products in my early 20’s. When I adopted a more simple, pure routine of gentle cleansing and applying natural oils for moisture, my skin became much more calm and has stayed that way for years. Much like food, the less ingredients on your skin, the better it will process what you put on it.

3. Cut out dairy. This was a game changer for me. For years, I always have some kind of breakout. After reading about this suggestion from someone (who happened to have bright, clear skin), I decided to give it a go myself. Giving up my daily yogurt and cheese on my salads at lunch was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! And while I certainly enjoy the occasional cheeseburger, I don’t miss it every day because the results of having steady skin make the sacrifice worth it. So what’s so bad about cheese? First, whole forms of cheese and goat cheese, in particular, should be tolerated just fine by skin—in moderation. But due to the high traces of hormones often found in dairy, this can contribute to inflammation in the body and therefore, cause inflamed, bothered skin. If this tip is more feasible for you than the first one, I would start with this route as I’ve seen it be most effective for myself and friends. Go dairy-free for at least 2 weeks to see if you notice any changes. Already missing it just thinking about it? Stock up on vegan-friendly nutritional yeast. It more than makes up the flavor plus it offers a boost of B-vitamins. Bonus, they carry it at Trader Joe’s.

4. Cut out sugar. Not all of it! Just try to replace that sweet tooth with natural sources like fruit or dark chocolate. These sources of sugar have lower glycemic levels so they won’t spike your blood sugar which can trigger breakouts. If you really want to be good, opt for low-glycemic fruits like berries, pears or grapefruits, and chocolate with high cocoa content, over 70%.

One of my favorite low-sugar treats that’s still super satisfying is whipping up my healthy, dairy-free hot cocoa. This recipe makes an especially good nighttime treat because it’s very low in sugar so you won’t spike your blood sugar before bed, which is one of the worst things you can do if you’re trying to maintain or lose weight. Foods high in sugar don’t process and digest well late at night so your body often stores them as fat. The second perk to this late night treat is the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric, the spice that gives mustard its yellow color. The golden milk mixture used in this recipe contains this healing spice as well as other nourishing ingredients: traditional Ayurvedic herbs like black pepper, cardamom, vanilla, and ashwagandha.

Healthy Hot Cocoa with Turmeric (Dairy-Free)

Brooke Domaas

Brooke is a Marketing consultant by day and creative at heart—she’s probably whipping up a new recipe or DIY beauty remedy right now. She’s passionate about finding healthier alternatives to the makeup & products many women put on their skin every day and bringing a balanced approach to everyday living.