hi tiffany,
Skin cells renew on average every 4 - 6 weeks. Meaning, acne-like breakouts appearing on the surface of your skin now, started in the deeper skin layers 4 to 6 weeks ago. So you need to look back at changes happening THEN. (This also explains the monthly breakouts some women experience ... the pimples decorating your face THIS month actually started the previous month).
True, allergic rashes (whole skin area red, raised itchy bumps with no fluid, or clear fluid) will appear on the surface within an hour or so of consuming an offending food (or using a soap or cream, whatever) -- and disappear relatively quickly as well, as the offending food or substance is eliminated from the body.
The natural hormones in dairy products, especially cow's milk, can aggravate hormonally-induced acne for both women and men. Try going dairy-free for 4 weeks, or switch to goat or sheep milk products, if you can find them.
The Desitin ointment Lorraine suggests is a good idea. Desitin is mostly zinc, which is THE skin nutrient ... with added vitamin A & D, in the form of Norwegian cod liver oil. You might also consider adding 20 or 30 mg zinc to your daily multiple vitamin & mineral supplement (no more than that, though).
Another trick, is to poke a little hole in a cod-liver oil capsule with a needle, squeeze out the oil and apply with a Q-tip to the individual pimples. No kidding ... vitamins A & D are components of many of the more expensive skin creams and lotions. Cod liver oil capsules are cheap, and the gelatin coating ensures that the oil inside stays fresh until the moment you use it ...
Doreen