Maintaining clear-looking skin is not an easy task, especially if you have acne prone skin. Breakouts and acne do not last very long, however they leave behind lasting blemishes and marks on your skin, often making you wonder how to get clear skin? As important as it is to take care of your skin inorder to keep acne at bay, it is also important to bring about a few changes in your lifestyle and diet to make your skin glow inside out.
We are here to help you achieve clear and flawless skin with some tried and tested tips. But before we start, it is important to understand each skin type and how often each of these skin types face blemishes. As this will allow you to understand the answer to the following question—how to get clear skin!
Normal skin: People with this skin type are blessed souls. They rarely get acne and blemishes, and have a smooth and refined skin texture.
Oily skin: We know your struggle with excessive oil, frequent breakouts and acne. If you have oily skin, you may also be facing the problem of large pores.
Dry skin: While dry skin rarely has acne and breakouts, they are constantly fighting dry and flaky skin.
Sensitive skin: One has to be extra cautious while taking care of sensitive skin, if you have acne and breakouts, you cannot try any over the counter treatment because your skin might get easily irritated.
No matter what your skin type, follow the tips below and stop wondering how to get clear skin once and for all.
1. Skincare
Use sunscreen
Prolonged exposure to harmful UV rays can damage your skin in more ways than one. In fact, it is to be blamed for most of your skin problems, right from dark spots to premature aging and uneven skin tone. No matter what time of the year, it is important to wear sunscreen every day and reapply it throughout the day to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. This will prevent most skin problems and give you clear and even looking skin.
Deep cleanse
One of the answers to how to have clear skin is—clean it thoroughly and deeply. You are surrounded by dirt, pollution and oil that stick to your skin and don’t leave it easily. Therefore it is important to adopt the double cleansing method. Start by wiping your skin with an oil based cleanser, milk or a water based cleanser; depending on your skin type. This will take away most of the surface dirt. Now wash your face with a suitable face wash to deep cleanse your skin and get rid of the residue sitting on your face.
Exfoliate regularly
Exfoliation is the key to healthy and glowing skin as this important skincare step opens up pores and removes dirt from deep within. Do not be too harsh while exfoliating your skin as this could damage your skin cells. Exfoliate twice every week to get healthy skin that is smooth and soft.
2. Diet
Avoid refined carbs and sugar
When we think of ways on how to get clear skin we often only rely on skin care products to do the trick, and when they don’t seem to work we chuck them and move on to other products. In order to make your skin care products work, it is important to watch what you’re putting in your body. Our body and skin is a reflection of what we eat, so avoid refined carbs and sugar as they are not only bad for your skin but also for the body. Reduce the intake of dairy and alcohol as they can lead to acne too.
Eat healthy fats
Not all fats are bad for the body, in fact omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids are essential to keep your skin youthful and healthy. It provides the skin with natural oils and prevents dryness and premature aging. Include foods like walnuts, avocado, fish oil, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, etc to get your dose of healthy fats in your diet. Carry a small box of dry fruits in your bag and munch on them in between meals.
Drink more water
Just like your organs, skin cells also require water to function properly. Water removes toxins from your body, therefore the more amount of water your drink the more toxins will be flushed out of your body. Several researches prove that a body which has toxins is more likely to get acne. Increase your water intake and stop thinking about how to get clear skin. You can make water more palatable by infusing lemon slices and mint leaves into it. You can also sip on green tea to effectively get rid of toxins from the body.
3. Lifestyle
Stay physically active
Staying physically active is not only healthy for your body but also your skin and hair. Irrespective of whether you need to lose or gain weight, some sort of physical activity is essential. It could be as simple as brisk walking for 30 minutes, cycling around town or an intense gym workout. When you work out your body pushes impurities out of the skin pores and reduces the occurrence of acne. Physical activity also reduces stress levels, thereby preventing skin problems caused due to stress. Ensure that you clean up your skin before and after a workout.
Meditate
A healthy diet and great skincare routine will do nothing for your skin if your mind is not at peace. Stress and anxiety affect most people, however it is important to learn how to combat stress in a healthy way and keep skin problems at bay. If you don’t practice mediation it is time you start, as it wards of feelings of anxiety, stress, tension and depression, making you calmer, more creative and self-aware. Stop wondering how to get clear skin and prevent acne instead by practicing meditation for a healthier body and mind.
Get enough sleep
Pulling a few late-nighters is fine but don’t make it a habit, if you find it difficult to sleep at night, put your gadgets away at least one hour before going to bed, this will definitely bring about a positive change in your sleeping habits. A body that is constantly sleep deprived will not only doze off at the desk but will also cut down your skin’s natural barrier. Your skin goes into repair mode at night and if you are awake at this time the healing process of your acne and scars will be prolonged. Avoid having a heavy meal at night and do not consume coffee at least six hours before bedtime.
Written by Sanya Hamdani on Mar 27, 2020
Sanya Hamdani is a skincare enthusiast and lipstick hoarder, she truly believes no two red lipsticks look exactly alike. With a Master's degree in Communication & Journalism and 5+ years of digital writing experience up her sleeve, Sanya has some of the biggest beauty experts in the country on her speed dial. When she's not swatching products or writing about the latest trends in beauty, you will find her watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S. or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.