Have you ever heard of the term “dairy face?” While cheeses, cappuccinos, and other delectable, lactose-infused concoctions can indeed cause breakouts, I decided well, screw it. On a trip to Italy, I sampled scrumptious delicacies without a care. And though my skin did break out, I was able to clear it up in two weeks. Below, read my firsthand account of treating cystic acne from dairy. Plus, get advice from top skincare experts— dermatologists, Rachel Nazarian, MD, Loretta Ciraldo, MD, and celebrity esthetician, Renée Rouleau, to be exact—about having your glow and eating dairy, too.

How Dairy Affects Skin

Skin health experts agree that what you eat shows up on your face, and in the case of dairy, it’s rarely good. Dairy is mucous-forming and difficult to digest (thus, why so many people are lactose intolerant). Sometimes, a side effect of that blow to the digestive system can arrive in the form of cystic acne or hard, painful bumps under the skin.

“The hypothesis is that since the majority of milk in the U.S. comes from pregnant cows (and some cows are given growth hormones), the hormone levels in milk may play a role in excess sebum production, which promotes acne,” explains Rouleau. The idea is that when the hormones in milk react with your own body’s cocktail of testosterone and hormones, your sebum production skyrockets. “The process, along with increasing inflammation, worsens or flares acne pimples,” adds Dr. Nazarian. So if you’re already breaking out (say, due to stress or travel or your period), dairy could make it worse.

However, not all lactose-riddled goods are created equal, especially when it comes to your skin. “Not everyone breaks out more from dairy, and it seems that the type of dairy you consume is a factor in dairy-induced acne,” notes Dr. Ciraldo. “In one published meta-analysis of 14 peer-reviewed studies of dairy and acne, the conclusion was that for people who are sensitive to dairy, it is specifically milk that causes the acne and that yogurt and cheeses are not triggers for acne.”

My Skin on Dairy

My dairy-induced breakouts, which cropped up in the final days of my cheese-soaked trip, could be found along my chin and jawline. Dr. Nazarian says that the lower face and outer areas of the face are anecdotally where dairy breakouts most often occur, though there is technically no empirical support for this. Either way, that’s definitely where mine decided to show up.

Luckily, I had a pretty good idea of why these big, sore pimples were happening, so I didn’t flip out. I just surrendered to the notion that they were the sacrifice I made for a lot of delicious pizza and calmly decided to do everything I could to treat them. And two weeks later, they were almost completely gone. Here’s what I did to go from broken-out to clear-skinned after a major dairy bender.

How to Get Rid of Cystic Acne From Dairy

Try a Cyst Treatment

For deep hormonal breakouts, I pretty much want to marry Rouleau’s cult favorite Anti Bump Solution, formerly known as the Anti Cyst Treatment. By her instruction, I applied this purifying treatment at the first sight of a cyst. She says the product can “dramatically flatten the visible appearance of the bump by about 50 percent more quickly than when using nothing at all.”

Try a Spot Treatment

Don’t have this exact treatment handy? No worries: Dr. Nazarian says treating your breakout with a topical anti-inflammatory or over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid-based product will help. Try Neutrogena’s On-the-Spot Acne Treatment or Murad’s Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment.

Scale Back on Dairy

This one might sound obvious, but no matter how many topical products you pile on your blemishes, the most effective cure comes from the inside out (at least it did for me). “Try cutting out your dairy completely for two weeks and see if that improves the condition,” Rouleau suggests, adding that in her 30 years as an esthetician, she has “cured” dozens of her clients’ cystic acne simply by recommending that they go dairy-free (or at least scale back).

“In my forty years of dermatology practice, I have found with increasing frequency that acne patients who start a vegan diet often have clearer skin,” Dr. Ciraldo remarks. “Since this is an overall healthy nutritional adjustment I do recommend this if you have found that your acne isn’t clearing with conventional treatments, especially if you are a milk drinker. I often simply suggest switching to non-dairy milk substitutes for three months. Take good selfies before and after to follow any progress with this adjustment.”

Drink Up

Hydration is key, too. Sounds counterintuitive, but all that air travel I was doing on my return from Italy to the United States seriously parched my skin—and dehydration, according to Dr. Nazarian, can make the skin look even more inflamed and cause cysts to appear redder. “Stay hydrated, drinking lots of water and fluids. Recommended six to eight glasses a day,” she says. You might also try swapping out your exfoliating toner for a hydrating one, like Etude House’s SoonJung pH 5.5 Relief Toner.

Use Non-Comedogenic Makeup

I don’t make a habit of not washing my face at night, but sometimes when I’m traveling, I get lax about it. This does not bode well for existing breakouts. When dealing with problem skin, Dr. Nazarian suggests avoiding any occlusive topical products, such as heavy makeup, powders, or lotions, no matter how tempting it might be to paint over those zits. “Use oil-free, non-comedogenic products,” she says. Vichy makes an amazing foundation for blemish-prone, sensitive skin.

Consider a Cortisone Shot

If the breakout feels so out of your control that you just don’t know where to go, hitting up your dermatologist or esthetician can’t be a mistake.I promptly paid a visit to Renée Rouleau for a round of lancing and extractions to “reset” my skin. But getting a cortisone shot at the derm’s office may also work in a pinch.

The Final Takeaway

If you’re experiencing a breakout, you should first determine its cause to figure out the right treatment method. If you are lactose-intolerant or have sensitive skin, you may be prone to dairy breakouts. A number of products are available to get rid of cystic acne from dairy but by adjusting your diet and avoiding certain triggers like comedogenic ingredients, you can even help to prevent these types of breakouts in the first place. In case you’re facing a serious breakout and want to get rid of it ASAP, ask your dermatologist about getting a cortisone shot or get their recommendation for the best treatment plan for you.