Many people believe that only teenagers suffer from acne, but the truth is it's a problem that many people have well into their adult years. As many as half of adult women and a quarter of adult men have regular problems with adult acne. While not everyone has a serious and recurring problem with adult acne, almost everyone has at least an occasional bump or two crop up, usually at the worst possible moment.

Acne can be even more embarrassing as an adult than it was as a teen. Everyone expects teens to get acne, but when an adult shows up with it everyone notices something is wrong. Here are the best ten ways to get rid of adult acne before it becomes a serious problem.

1. Follow a regular daily cleansing regimen. This means a gentle wash of any places you had acne as a teen, followed by a light moisturizer whether you need it or not. Most acne is caused by a buildup of dead skin and oil, and this regimen ensures that these two substances are flushed away before they become a problem. However, make sure you don't over do it, as washing your face too often can cause your skin to produce more oil making your acne even worse.

2. For women, add a treatment of benzoyl peroxide at the end of at least one daily cleansing regimen as soon as you start feeling any signs of PMS, and a day or two before if possible. This may prevent or minimize those hormonally-triggered breakouts.

3. If you have periodic problems with adult acne but outbreaks are not predictable or severe, use a soap or moisturizer that includes salicylic acid.

4. All steroids are linked to acne breakouts. If you're taking steroids for arthritis, asthma, or any other reason, ask your doctor if there is another option, or see if he has anything you can use to stop those outbreaks. Medications for epilepsy and depression may also trigger adult acne, so if you've just started taking one and suddenly have a problem, talk to your doctor.

5. Maintain a healthy diet. While it's a myth that eating chocolate (or other trigger foods) once can cause an outbreak, the key to healthy skin is a healthy body. Make sure you eat foods that contain plenty of antioxidants as they help treat acne from the inside out.

6. Makeup is a common cause of adult acne. Look for noncomedogenic, hypoallergenic makeup, and especially try to find water-based foundation.

7. Another common cause of adult acne is pressure, from backpacks, helmets, even sports glasses. If your acne is cropping up in a place prone to this sort of pressure or even lots of sweating, consider ways you can reduce or eliminate the cause of the pressure.

8. For sudden serious outbreaks, very warm showers to open the pores are often helpful. Noxema or similar menthol-based cleansers open the pores and dissolve oils without over drying skin

9. A sudden problem zit can often be cleared up with white toothpaste. Dab it on, then leave it there overnight.

10. Those who suffer from longer lasting more severe adult acne (or those who just want to ensure they never have acne problems again) should try a complete acne treatment system.