Acne is a skin condition that usually affects teenagers due to the hormonal changes that accompany puberty. For a small percentage of people their acne continues into adulthood, and can continue into their thirties, and in some cases into their forties.

Oily skin is the biggest cause of acne as it gets trapped in the skin's pores. Bacteria then causes an inflammation of the skin which is commonly known as a spot or pimple.

Treating adult acne is slightly different to treating a teenage spot problem due to the different hormonal changes in the body, and also the environmental causes of the problem. It's not just a case of washing twice a day with a medicated soap. When you're an adult skin care takes a bit more time and focus.

If you suffer with sensitive skin then the environment you're living in could be playing havoc with your skin. Smog and smoke can be a continual bombardment of pollutants that can cause your skin to produce more oil or not enough oil, and these pollutants can cause pores to become easily blocked.

A diet high in oily or greasy food can also cause your skin to become oily as well. If you suffer from adult acne then these foods are best avoided. Replacing your diet with foods that are healthy and high in nutrition will have a dramatic impact in the way your skin looks and feels. Like the rest of your body your skin relies on nutrition to run at it's optimal best.

A diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables will provide your body with essential vitamins and minerals. These foods are high in fibre so your intestines will move at a faster rate. Food that stay in your intestines too long will ferment, and then toxins will be absorbed into your body, and this will be reflected in the way your skin looks.

Keeping your body hydrated is important as well. A dehydrated body will cause your skin to become dehydrated, and this can cause spots and pimples to appear. Your body needs at least eight glasses of water a day, and this will need to be increased depending on how much you exercise.

Regular exercise is a great way of keeping your skin clear. Exercise helps the body to expel toxins through sweat, and it will give you a reason to drink more water which flushes more toxins out of your body.

What you put into your body, and the environment you live in will show in your skin. You have the opportunity to look as healthy as you possibly can. If you experiment with small changes for a few weeks you will have an idea of how good you can look, and how clear your skin can be.