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Think you know what’s causing your acne? I’m going to say you might be a little bit off. If you thought the causes of acne were all about touching your face and not washing your face and stress, you’re right. But you’re missing something. New (well, old, but kind of new) research has led doctors to believe that drinking milk and eating foods that are high in sugar are also causing your breakouts.

Just a question: why does acne have to be so freakin’ complicated? I mean, can’t there just be one or two concrete causes and a few foolproof ways to get rid of pimples? Didn’t you think science would have solved this pesky little issue by now? It’s 2013! Come on, guys.

In all seriousness, doctors have determined that your diet does, in fact, affect your acne. In case you didn’t realize, this has been an ongoing debate. Growing up, I constantly heard that eating too much chocolate caused breakouts. It freaked me out and made me sad, because frankly, I never was and never will be willing to give up chocolate to live a zit-free life. Then a few years later, doctors were like, “JK, chocolate and food in general don’t affect acne” and I was really relieved. But now it looks like they were wrong. Sigh.

Here’s the deal: an overview of research that has been going on for over 50 years reveals that milk and foods with a lot of sugar can aggravate and maybe even trigger acne.

How does this happen? Foods with a high glycaemic index (AKA foods with a lot of sugar) causes hormone fluctuations that can cause acne. Milk also has some hormones in it that can trigger breakouts. Even more interesting? People who drink skim milk have the worst breakouts. I love sugar and I put skim milk in my coffee every day. I’m officially screwed.

So what can you do with this info if you’re prone to acne and you want your zits to disappear? Well, I’d say that cutting milk and sugar out your diet completely is a little bit extreme and also it’s probably not going to happen because sugar is in basically everything. Also, keep in mind that acne is caused by many different things and so everyone needs to figure out what’s triggering theirs on their own. If you want, do a little experiment: cut down on the amount of milk and sugar you consume, and see if you notice a difference. Or, better yet, talk to a dermatologist about it. There are lots of ways to get rid of acne that don’t involve ditching your favorite foods, so see if you can get a prescription or even something over the counter that works for you.

Do you suffer from acne? Do you get a lot of breakouts? Are you going to try cutting down on milk and sugar? How do you get rid of acne? Tell me in the comments.

10 of the best acne products I can’t live without

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If you have painful, pimple-like bumps down there, how are you supposed to get rid of them?

ChickRX expert Evelyn Resh, Certified Sexuality Counselor and Nurse Midwife, says: 

These pimple-like bumps that you’re referring to are exactly that – pimples. I see them in women’s vulvas frequently. Some women are more prone to them than others. Sometimes, they are cyclic and may occur right before your period. Rest assured, they’re completely normal.

How are you supposed to get rid of them? I recommend soaking in a slightly hot bath with your legs apart so that the hot water can be directly against the skin. Stay in there for about 15 minutes a couple of times each day when the pimples are there. If you don’t have a bathtub, you can use a very warm compress, like a wash cloth, soaked in water.

If the pimples are easy to pop, then fine, go ahead. But don’t force them until they come to a head and easily open with just flight pressure. If they enlarge or are really painful, head in to see a practitioner, as you may need an antibiotic. If they’re staying essentially the same size and come and go with this management, then don’t worry about them. They are a nuisance, but don’t generally require medical management.

Always  make sure to wash your hands well whenever touching these pimples to avoid secondary infection.

Got more questions? Post them in the comments below or head on over to ChickRx.com.

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If you break out just as much as I used to, then you’ll definitely want to check these out. The best news about all of these products? They’re cheap and accessible – they should be easily found at your local drugstore. Or Target, where you can also buy 800 other things you don’t need (I can’t be the only one who does that). Check out 10 of my favorite acne-fighting products right here:

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Neutrogena Body Clear® Body Wash in Pink Grapefruit

Okay girls, seriously, this is the only body wash I've used in years. I'm obsessed with it. One time when I ran out, my drugstore didn't have it and I searched all over town until I found it. It's that good. The grapefruit scent is yummy and refreshing without being overpowering, and this works great against bacne and chest acne.

Buy it for $7.49

Clean & Clear Essentials Dual Action Moisturizer

This is a bold statement, but... I don't know where I would be without this lotion. Most moisturizers are too oily for my skin and actually end up making my acne look worse. But this one helps fight my acne while also making my face feel super soft. It's a win-win!

Buy it for $5.49

Almay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover Pads

Okay, these pads might not directly help your acne, but they do help the fight. Why? Sleeping with makeup on is basically like asking for pimples, and these little guys stop that from happening. These are my absolute favorite makeup remover pads. They take off everything, even your stubborn mascara, and they're really easy to carry around. I like the oil-free version the best.

Buy it for $4.49

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash

A lot of face washes leave my skin feeling dried out and kind of gross, but not this one. As commercial-y as this sounds, it really does leave my skin feeling fresh. And I kind of love that it doesn't really have a scent.

Buy it for $5.49

Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets

I may be the only person who says things like "I'm obsessed with oil absorbing sheets", but whatever. I am! I carry these around every single place I go. They may not directly help with acne, but they definitely help with oily skin. These help ensure that I'm (almost) never shiny!

Buy them for $8.80

Clearasil Ultra® Rapid Action Pads

So, these are seriously amazing if you're looking for a quick fast, but you know, you're not in the mood to full on wash your face. These little pads work great and are super easy to take with you everywhere you go.

Buy it for $6.85

Clean and CLear® Adavantage® Acne Spot Treatment

This stuff is perfect if you already have a pimple popping up and you want to get rid of it fast. I used to use toothpaste as a spot treatment, but this spot treatment is absolutely worth the extra money. Just dab a little on over your pimple, and you'll see it reduce much faster than it would have without it.

Buy it for $6.36

Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Makeup

Sometimes no matter how hard you try, acne beats you and you still get a pimple anyway. No worries - just cover it up with Neutrogena's SkinClearing makeup. Okay, so this isn't concealer, but I use it like it is and it works. This stuff covers up your pimples without making them even worse.

Buy it for $11.99

Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips

When I was in high school, my best friend and I used to buy these just to put them on our nose, act stupid and make fun of each other. Then I actually started to like them. They're just so cool! I don't even care what I look like while wearing them.

Buy it for $8.49

Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser

As much as I love those Almay makeup remover pads I mentioned above, I could still never give away this Neutrogena makeup remover face wash. I don't want to sound weird, but it's basically my life. This stuff removes every trace of makeup (EVERYTHING) and also makes my face super soft. What more could you want?

Buy it for $6.49

Do you use an of these products? What products do you use that I missed? What’s your tip on getting rid of acne? Tell us in the comments.

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I’m not going to try to convince you that guys like pimples. Just as you and your girlfriends may have swooned over Channing Tatum’s baby smooth skin at some point (or maybe it’s just me), most guys will appreciate a girl’s beautiful complexion. And as far as I know, there aren’t any acne fetish websites out there. This is the bad news.

The good news, however, is that we guys are just as susceptible to pimples as you ladies are (okay, good news for you, bad news for us…). In fact, throughout adolescence and puberty, guys tend to develop even more pimples than girls do. Blame it on the oils caused by raging male hormones. So as self-conscious as you may be about a breakout, just know that most dudes have been through the same thing. In fact, a guy who has wrestled with more persistent acne himself might even feel more comfortable with a lady who can personally relate to his own skin troubles.

Obviously the frequency and intensity of acne can vary greatly from person to person, and for some this issue might be more than just…well, skin deep. If your situation is more severe, you might be super self-conscious about your skin in general. Fortunately, there are plenty of products out there that help curb even more aggressive acne (hey, Proactiv worked for Katy Perry….). More importantly, always keep in mind that your attractiveness to the opposite sex depends way more upon confidence than anything else! Feeling good about yourself is more than half the battle.

So definitely don’t stress over the typical pimple or two before a big date. Any guy worth dating in the first place will totally understand — and any guy who’s already into you won’t even notice or care.

Good luck!
Ethan

Ethan Fixell is a writer and comedian from New York City best known as one half of comic “dating coach” duo Dave and Ethan. He is also the creator and editor of ActualConversation.com. For more on Ethan, visit EthanFixell.com…or call his mom, Robin.

Are you confused about a guy? Do you find yourself wondering, “What is he thinking?” Tell us everything in the comments! And if you have a question for Ethan, email him at askaguy@gurl.com!

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Going to the dentist is scary enough by itself. I mean, those sharp picks. The weird rinses. That torture device looking chair. So frightening! But, when you throw in a dentist who has a sassy attitude, well, the the whole experience gets even more icky.

I went to a new dentist recently and he took a look in my mouth and told me I had to get my wisdom teeth removed. My wisdom teeth have been around for a while and no other dentist has ever told me it’s a problem, which I told him.

“Well, then no other dentist is being honest with you. Your wisdom teeth don’t look right and they’re probably the reason you have really bad breath all the time!”

WHAT? Bad breath all the time? That seems a little extreme. I checked around with trusted, super honest friends and they all swore that wasn’t the case. Still, I got my wisdom teeth removed…but after a second opinion and not from that sasspot of a dentist.

Ever had a doctor say something kinda crazy to you? Tell us in the comments.

Totally awkward first kiss story! (At least she didn’t have bad breath.)

No muss, no fuss, no nasty zit ruining your day. Let’s get started!

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If you’re dating someone, you should be able to rely on them to boost you up, cheer you on, and make you feel awesome when you need it most. Sadly, that was so not the case with one of my exes!

One day, I had a terrible breakout and was nervous that I’d look like a monster at a party I was going to that night. When I asked my boyfriend if it was really that bad, he made me feel even worse about the situation.

“Actually?,” he said, “I hate it when you break out and I kind of can’t really even look you in the face right now.”

I nearly started crying and had to leave the room. Strange thing? I didn’t break up with him. Years later, I realized his insensitivity was a pretty major character trait and dumped him for good.

Would you ever let a guy say something like that to you? Has your dude ever insulted you? Tell us in the comments!

Find out the crazy thing we never knew guys did!

Cat ears? Fun. Giant zit on my chin? Not so much.

I used to have pretty nice skin, but then a few years ago: BOOM! ‘Sup, clogged pores?

The blackheads, whiteheads, and giant red cystic lumps took residence on my face, and, as you might imagine, I was less than happy–particularly because I thought I was in the clear when it came to my skin. Alas, I was a late bloomer, and when I bloomed, I grew a garden of skin problems.

It wasn’t just me being hypercritical and self-conscious when I say my complexion seriously deteriorated. I started getting very noticeable, large bumps, big and red enough that no concealer would hide them. As much as I knew it was a no-no, I always felt compelled to squeeze these monsters, knowing perfectly well that of course doing so left an equally-icky scab on my face (and maybe later, a scar).

I’ve tried making peace with the fact that I get pimples by ignoring them and telling myself that they aren’t as major than I think they are, but then . . . consider The Zit That Ate My Nose. It was smack in the middle of my nose, bright red, and so big it was like a bunch of zits got together in an evil plot, and formed a giant combined Power Rangers-esque force on my face.

It was Thanksgiving, so I didn’t have the opportunity to lock myself in my room with a bag over my head. My mom had already commented on my nose nemesis, and then we went to my grandma’s. When my grandma saw “Monster, the Zit” on my face, she asked what it was. I answered as nonchalantly as possible that it was a pimple, and she replied, “Well, it looks HORRIBLE!” Thanks for the self-esteem boost, Grandma.

Oh girl. I've been there. | Source: Shutterstock

And then the week after THAT, I was going to a giant hip hop show with a friend – who, of course, looked super hot – and no matter how cute my outfit was, how eye-catching my makeup was, and how blingy my earrings were, there was the zit remnant, bumming me out.

But I suppose that pimple was a special one (I really, really hope so). Yes, I get pimples, but we all get clogged pores, even celebrities (remember AnnaLynne McCord’s Twitter pic? Have you ever Googled celebrities and acne?). I’ll admit to being wickedly gleeful when I watch Top Model and see the contestants’ zits – their concealer makes them less noticeable, but you can still see the bumpiness. And as much as I’m never stoked to look in the mirror and see pimples gracing my own face, I’ve come to accept it: I never bother with makeup, I try not to harp on it, I stick in a hairclip with a big fake flower (distraction!), and leave the house. I may hate the fact that I get pimples, but really, it’s just a part of being human.

Now that you know I get pimples, do you get pimples, too? Do you find it awesome or irritating when gorgeous celebs insist, “I get pimples just like you”? Tell me everything in the comments!

Need A Good Laugh About Bad Skin? Got You Covered!

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I’m not going to lie, acne is super annoying – especially when you have a big event coming up and you want to look flawless. Piling on the makeup doesn’t really help, either. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to try to get rid of acne quickly (and hopefully forever!)

If you’re prone to breaking out, you should be working on preventing acne all the time. Even if you go a few days without a zit popping up, you shouldn’t slack off… that’s when they come back! Make sure you’re washing your face with a gentle cleanser every night and morning, and if you’re going to use moisturizer, use one that’s oil-free.

While wearing a pound of concealer and foundation might hide your zits at the moment, it’s probably clogging your pores and could actually be contributing to your breakouts. It’s good for a quick fix if you need it, but make sure you wash it off before you go to sleep, and try to buy brands that are oil-free. Oh, and don’t try popping your zits on your own. I know it’s super tempting, but all it’s going to do is leave a nasty little scar. Plus, touching your pimples is one of the worst things you can do – you’re just transferring the bacteria from your hands on to your face!

And don't freak out either! | Source: ShutterStock

If your acne is worse than a single zit once in a while, try using products that are a little stronger. A great brand that doesn’t require a prescription is Proactiv – as long as you use it every day as instructed, you’ll start seeing a difference in your acne (hopefully just in time for prom!). The face washes are great and work for a lot of skin types, plus it’s not going to cost you a ton of money.

But if your pimples are out of control, you should probably take a trip to the dermatologist. Your doctor can check out your skin type and prescribe some products that are super strong. It can be expensive, so maybe make this your last option.

And keep this in mind: you’re always going to notice the zits on your face, no matter where they are, but that doesn’t mean everyone else is. Stress only makes acne worse, so don’t worry about it too much. One or two pimples aren’t going to ruin your appearance!

take care,
heather

What’s on your mind? Heather can help! Send her your question at heather@gurl.com

Find out all the facts about acne here

This post written in partnership with Proactiv. But even if they didn’t sponsor us, I’d totally mention them because this stuff works! xo, Heather

Think she's got perfect skin? Achem. More like perfectly airbrushed!

Hello. My name is Julie and I get breakouts. Still. (It gets better, but never perfect. Sigh.)

Open up my medicine cabinet and creams, prescriptions, washes, you name it, might fall on your head. I’ve even got a Zeno, this futuristic zit zapper than uses heat to get rid of breakouts. I don’t understand how it works, but I also don’t understand microwaves—and since microwaves work really well, I thought Zeno was worth a chance. When a freaky gross zit worked its way up near my ear, I knew it was time to test this thing out.

Making duck face while reading about zits? Totes guilty.

First off, there’s an insane amount of reading to do before you use a Zeno. Well, insane compared to the normal “remove the lid and schmear on your face” instructions of other zit fixes. It’s a pain to read,  but Zeno isn’t intuitive at all, so you kind of have to go through the whole thing.

After a series of button pushings, multi-tone rings, and a five-minute warm up process (that the booklet says will only take one minute), you place the heated metal tip of the Zeno directly on your zit.

Yes, I'm putting hot metal on my face. What can I say? I'm desperate.

And Zeno’s metal tip? It’s hot. Not hot enough to hurt, but it’s not exactly comfortable. You leave it on your zit for two and a half minutes (Zeno counts you down). After that, your skin is bright red and you’re done. Hello, gorgeous?

You can use the Zeno on a zit up to 3 times in 12 hours. I used it right before bed,so I opted against multiple midnight zaps and just went with a one-time trial.

This Zeno dude taught "peace of mind" in Ancient Greece. I'd have a little more of that myself if these zits would go away.

Come sunrise, I could clearly see the red area my zit once called home, which was disappointing. That said, the red spot was way smaller and the area didn’t hurt anymore in that pressurey way pimples hurt. It actually felt like the roots of the breakout were gone and all that was left was skin that needed to heal.

All in all, Zeno gets a “more than meh” from me. It’s a little spendy (I found it for $65 on Amazon), and it’s not going to give you perfect pretty princess skin overnight–but if you don’t mind dabbing a little cover-up the day after, this mini-machine makes zits go away faster. It’s def staying in my medicine cabinet!

WDYT? What are your best tricks for getting rid of breakouts? Have you ever tried the Zeno? Let us know in comments!