Clear skin: there's no doubt that we all want it. But, between hormones, pollution, hectic schedules, unhealthy lifestyles, and other pore-clogging assailants waiting to wreak havoc on our complexions, achieving clearer, blemish-free skin can seem like an impossible task. Fortunately, clear skin is totally attainable—but it does require a few lifestyle changes to get your skin right back on track. But, does this mean we can’t go about our routine like we’re used to? No! Here are a few simple, yet effective steps on how to get clear skin:
Cleanse twice, daily to get clear skin
Use mild products
Apply acne-fighting formulas
Moisturise and exfoliate
Get plenty of sleep
Choose your makeup well
Avoid touching your face often
Be calm and relax
Make healthy food choices
Drink plenty of water
FAQs: Go-to solutions for flawless skin
Cleanse twice, daily to get clear skin
The first and most important step to attaining clear skin is cleansing your face twice a day, once in the morning and once before going to bed. Washing your face in the morning will wake up your skin and help prep it for the products you’re going to apply to it. Washing it before going to be will not only help wash away dirt and grime from the day, it will help open your pores and prepare it to better absorb the nutrient-rich products you’re bound to slather over your skin as part of your nighttime skincare routine. Follow this crucial step, and you’re well on your way to clear and flawless skin.
Tip: Apply products within 10 minutes of cleansing your face, while your pores are still open. This will allow for better absorption.
Use mild products
While cleansing twice daily is the first step, making sure the products you use don’t harm or cause irritation to your skin is the next important step to a clear complexion. For that, you must make sure to analyse your skin before you make a purchase. Next, ensure you use mild products (like cleansers and toners), to help curb redness, irritation, or allergies.
Tip: Milder products won't cause your skin to break out, as well as won't dry out already-aggravated conditions.
Apply acne-fighting formulas
There’s no reason to doubt your dermatologist when prescribed a certain acne cream. It’s scientifically proven that topical applications can help fight pesky pimples and unwanted blemishes. However, what helps set things right is understanding your needs, but more importantly, what type of acne you have. However, if you want to simultaneously target different types of acne, use a combination of benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin, or adapalene gel.
Tip: Using these treatments together may dry out your skin, so ensure you stay hydrated.
Moisturise and exfoliate
It may seem counterproductive to moisturise skin that’s prone to breakouts, however, the real cause for acne is the excess or lack of sebum or natural oils in the skin. If your skin is excessively dry, it will try to overcompensate for it by increasing sebum levels resulting in breakouts. The same applies when you have excessively oily skin. The excess sebum will clog pores and lead to blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. Using moisturisers suited to skin type will help address the moisture barrier.
Tip: Exfoliating twice a week can deep cleanse, and clear clogged pores, resulting in flawless and clear skin.
Get plenty of sleep
It's called beauty sleep for nothing. While you are asleep your body's hydration rebalances and recovers extra moisture. This makes sleep a natural moisturiser that can help to smooth out wrinkles on the skin. When you sleep, the skin works to restore itself through a process called regeneration, and lack of sleep can lead to a tired-looking complexion, dark circles, puffy under-eye bags and sometimes even breakouts. Moreover, this imbalance causes your skin to not produce the moisture it so desperately needs, leading to drier skin.
Tip: Use skincare formulas suited to nighttime routines as they pack more nutrients, and have a longer time to work their magic.
Choose your makeup well
It’s no secret that when it comes to choosing makeup, we always focus on shades that complement our skin tones. However, most of us don’t consider our skin type and complexion. Choosing products that not only work for individual skin types but are suited to various skin needs is a sure-shot way to clear skin. That said, choose products with labels like ‘noncomedogenic’ or ‘oil-free’, as they save against clogged pores. Also, opt for lightweight formulas that don’t feel heavy after application.
Tip: Regularly cleaning your applicator tools and makeup brushes can prevent bacteria from spreading and causing further woes.
Avoid touching your face often
Pimples, acne, and zits are annoying, to say the least. However, no matter the annoyance, you must not pick at them. We don’t want scars, do we? Next, our hands, particularly our nails, come in contact with dirt, grime, bacteria, and other germs that are most likely to be transferred to already-troubled skin when we constantly touch and pick at the problem areas. If you have a pimple that’s particularly painful, consult a dermatologist to treat the problem in a sterilised environment.
Tip: Make sure to sanitise your hands and all other gadgets that will inadvertently come in contact with your face.
Be calm and relax
Easier said than done, given our busy work schedules and crazy deadlines, right? But, for the sake of clear skin (and your sanity), make it a point to kick back, relax, and smell the roses every now and again. Studies have shown that there’s a connection between stress and acne. If you’re dealing with a stressful event or situation, look for healthy ways to de-stress. Exercising at a high to moderate intensity for at least 30 minutes is one way to de-stress. You can also try some breathing exercises and meditation, yoga or music therapy. Whatever you choose, ensure you do it as often as necessary.
Tip: A change in scenery can have a visible effect on your complexion, as a relaxed state of mind lends a fresh, sun-kissed glow. But, don't skimp out on sunblock.
Make healthy food choices
More often than not, our stressful lifestyles, coupled with unhealthy eating habits can wreak havoc on our overall health, with a visible effect on the complexion. Eating at off-hours, constantly ordering in, eating overly oily foods, consuming junk food, binge eating snacks like chips and sodas that have a high content of sodium and sugars, will show on one’s skin by way of acne. Eating foods like whole grains, fresh fruit, nuts, and protein-packed options like meat, fish, and leafy greens is a great way to boost skin health. Avoid dairy products, particularly milk, as research shows that the growth hormones present in milk tends to aggravate acne, no matter what.
Tip: Coconut water is rich in antioxidants, and is great for skin and hair health.
Drink plenty of water
As clichéd as this remedy might sound, celebrities the world over swear by the go-to beauty routine. Drinking at least eight glasses a day will help rid the body, and skin, of toxins. While not everyone will agree that water consumption will improve skin, staying hydrated does go a long way in helping regulate bodily functions, and in turn, reflecting on your skin. If that’s not all, people often report that by increasing their water intake, their skin has a more radiant glow.
Tip: Adding chia seeds, celery sticks, or even cucumber and lemon to your water can make for an interesting, and refreshing drink.
FAQs: Go-to solutions for flawless skin
Q. What are the best foods to help get clear skin?
A. Foods rich in vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, etc., all offer skin-boosting properties that contribute to skin health and natural growth. Opt for citrus fruit like strawberries, oranges; nuts and seeds like almonds, sunflower seeds, etc., contribute to skin rebuilding properties, and foods rich in protein help the production on collagen than improve skin elasticity.What are some uncommon causes for dull and lifeless skin?
A. While an unhealthy and generally stressful lifestyle is a major factor that leads to dull and lifeless skin, one unexpected reason and the often neglected cause is dehydration—internal and external. Not drinking adequate fluids, consuming alcohol on a regular basis, eating oily and salty foods can have an adverse effect on the quality and health of the largest organ of the human body. Making small, yet conscious lifestyle changes will go a long way in keeping your skin fresh and radiant.So what are you waiting for, try our expert tips right now!