Get Clear, Smooth Skin
Is your skin prone to breakouts or irritation? Luckily, your skin can begin looking its best with a few simple tricks. This article will explain how to get the clear, smooth skin you've always wanted.
Contents
Steps
- Start a daily face-washing routine, in the morning and at night. Consistency is an important part of maintaining a healthy complexion, so make sure you're doing these things every morning and night:
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Avoid scrubbing too hard or using rough washcloths or loofahs. These may irritate your skin and cause blemishes to stay on your face longer. If you want to exfoliate, use a cleanser/ soap that is made to do so instead, or invest in a facial cleansing brush.
- Use a toner (optional). If your skin is dry, not combination or oily, you can skip this step. Always get an alcohol-free toner, and get a toner that fits your skin type. Toner helps firm and tighten your skin as it wipes away dirt in your pores.
- Moisturize. Moisturizing will regulate the moisture balance of your skin and prevent excess oil production. Choose a moisturizer based on your skin type; If you have oily skin, use a moisturizer with an oil-free formula, if you have acne-prone skin, invest a moisturizer with active acne-fighting ingredients such as tea tree oil. Moisturize every time you wash your face, shave, or simply need the extra moisture.
- Remove your makeup every night. It can be hard to do this if you're very tired, but it pays off. If possible, purchase a make-up removal oil/cream or mix a little water and apply to a cotton wool pad, as make-up removal wipes can be abrasive to the surface of the skin.
- Treat acne. Try some of these remedies to free your skin from acne. Consider:
- Salicylic acid gel or toner. Salicylic acid causes the skin to naturally exfoliate its layers quicker, thus helping acne go away, and also prevents new acne from forming. Use daily.
- Benzoyl peroxide lotion or spot treatment. If your acne is moderate or severe, you can find lotion products containing benzoyl peroxide that you apply evenly over your face, usually at nighttime. You can also find benzoyl peroxide in spot treatment formulas.
- Seeing a dermatologist. High-caliber acne treatments (like Accutane and Retin-A) do exist, but they must be used under the supervision of a doctor, which means you cannot get them without a prescription. If you're really at wit's end, make an appointment to see a specialist.
- Try face masks or pore cleaners. This is called exfoliation, and it washes away dead skin on the surface of your face. In the case of face masks, use only once a week. Buy an exfoliant at your local drugstore, or make one at home.
- Don't pick (or pop) your pimples. It's usually not a good idea to pick your pimples. It may be tempting if that blackhead has been staring you in the face for a day or two, but it's really not worth it. Picking your pimples can have adverse effects.
- Picked zits cause blemishes. Blemishes are inflammations in the epidermis and dermis, the outer and inner layers of your skin. It takes longer for the blemishes to heal when they are popped, so stay brave and resist the urge!
- 'Picked pimples could leave a scar behind. Pimples are temporary, but scars are forever. If you want smooth skin, don't make it harder on yourself by picking pimples.
- Don't touch your face. The oils and dirt from your hands will transfer to your face and can easily clog pores. Keeping your hands from your face will also help you break the habit of picking pimples.
- Only use fresh makeup and brushes. Makeup, like food, gathers bacteria and will eventually go bad. If you've been using the same powders, blush, eye shadow and mascara for over 6 months, it's probably time to throw everything out and start over. Your skin will thank you for it!
- The only exception to this is brushes—these can be cleaned, not thrown away. Pick up an antibacterial makeup brush cleaning formula at the drugstore and, once a month or so, spritz everything down right after you finish your morning routine. Leave the brushes out to air dry throughout the day and overnight.
- Drink plenty of water. Aim to put down 6 to 8 full glasses of water a day, and you'll notice a difference in your skin. The extra fluid makes it easier for you to flush out toxins and waste.
- Girls: aim to drink at least {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}, or nine cups of water a day. If you're having trouble drinking that much, cut out all sugary drinks from your diet entirely. Actually, you should try to cut out sugary drinks from your diet for your own health's sake.
- Guys: aim to drink at least three liters, or 13 cups, of water a day.
- The lighter color your pee, the less water you need to drink. When your pee is clear, you're in the clear. When your pee is yellow, it's time to drink more water.
- Sleep smart. You might be getting dirt and oil on your face while you're sleeping without even realizing it. Try these tricks to minimize your risk:
- Change out your pillowcase at least once a week. Your pillowcase collects dust, saliva, and other grime, which make it onto your face every time you sleep. Put your pillowcases through the wash or change them out regularly for best results.
- Get a new pillow. Just like your pillowcase, your pillow can collect dust and dirt, though pillows can't usually be washed. If you've been using the same pillow for a long time, it might be time to get a new one.
- Pull your hair back. Braid back long hair, and keep bangs or fly-aways out of your face with a headband. This way your hair won't irritate your face while you sleep.
- Get your beauty rest! Sleep deprivation and stress can manifest as bad skin, so make sure you're getting at least 7 to 8 hours of quality rest every night.
- Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help your body and skin stay healthy. Exercising is a fantastic way to get rid of stress, to keep blood-flow pumping, and to ensure a good night's rest.
- Try to eat foods that give you the right kind of energy. Diets rich in sugar and refined (or "white) carbohydrates have been linked to more pimple breakouts than diets rich in protein, vegetables, and grains, although the scientific community isn't in total agreement. What is clear is that eating vegetables (beets, carrots, broccoli), protein (white meat, fish, nuts), and grains (quinoa, brown rice, buckwheat) are healthier for you. And what's healthy for you is probably better for your skin.
- Diets that are high in saturated fat and filled with hormones may worsen skin conditions. Cows, for example, may be pumped full of hormones in order to produce more milk. That doesn't mean that you have to cut milk entirely out of your diet. Just be informed about what's going into your body, and don't make dairy a big part of your diet.
- "Eat nuts and foods with healthy fats." Vitamin E (a fat-soluble vitamin and powerful anti-oxidant), omega 3 fatty acids, and other oily compounds that can be found in foods like nuts, seeds, salmon and avocado are important for smooth, clean skin.
- Run, walk, swim!. Do whatever exercise makes you feel good. Walking just 15 minutes a day is a great improvement over standing still. Exercise in general will help reduce the amount of stress your body generates over the course of the day. And stress will cause pimples. So in order to get that clear, smooth skin your body deserves, hit the gym, fire up the treadmill, or slice through the water. Your body will thank you.
- Drink green tea. Green tea is full of antioxidants and nutrients that can help your body fight acne and also aids digestion (which is thought to be linked to acne). Aim to drink 2 to 3 glasses of green tea a day for optimum results.
- Do not wash your face with shampoo or hand soap. Each of those contains highly strong concentrates that can seriously damage your remarkably thin skin on your face. Hand soaps are made for thick (2-3 times thicker than facial skin), full of bacteria skin and for that reason they have strong acid which literally may burn your face and leave serious damages for long time (in some cases up to 12 months). Keep in mind that your facial skin is thin, so, even high quality products better not to hold for long on your face.
Tips
- Use different towels for your face and body.
- Take cold water and pat under the eye.
- When exfoliating don't put on a lot of pressure, it does damage your skin
- Shower every day. When you are in the shower wash your face gently and apply a moisturizer after.
- After the shower, lie down and lay a hot towel over your face for extra softness. Add moisturizing cream for even more softness.
- Tea tree oil works on spots. Apply it at night and in the morning your pimple can barely be seen.
- Put ten drops of lemon into a bowl and use a clean, warm cloth to apply it onto your face, neck and chin. Next, mash up avocado with milk and honey to use as a face mask.
- You might want to try a blackhead cleanser if regular face washing doesn't do the job.
- Try to exfoliate 2-3 times a week. You can buy an exfoliator or you can save money by making your own with granulated sugar and water!
- If your hair is clean, there's less chance that oil and dirt will transfer to your face. Make sure to wash your hair everyday to ensure freshness!
- Don't put makeup for natural beauty but if you couldn't resist it wear just a little bit.
- Some people apply snails on their skin because snail slime dissolves dead skin and makes it smooth.
- Clean your face with a scrub every morning, and use a lot of moisturizers.
- Use gentle facewash and cleansers.
- Do not scratch your face, as this can irritate skin.
- Don't wash your face with hot water, it damages your skin and dries it out. Try washing your face with cold water (which wakes you up in the morning) or lukewarm water.
- Every morning and night take some creamy facial wash on a soft washcloth and gently rub on your face for at least 2-3 minutes and then wash it off.
- Exfoliate your face once in a week! Exfoliating your face more than once in a week will cause irritation on your skin.
- Do not pick at any infection. If you have an infection try rinsing it and apply cream it should sooth the irritation.
- Use an exfoliating face wash to get rid of dead or dry skin.
- Hot water dries skin. Cold water won't open pores. Use warm water. It does not necessarily cause them to be more open, but makes them swell and appear to be more open.
- Eat healthy food.
- Use cleansers and all kinds of beauty products according to your skin type (dry, combination, etc.) as it will help your skin to stay healthy and fresh for more longer.
- Rub garlic over the pimples to treat them naturally.
- If you have really dry areas on your skin,try moisturizing it at night and wear some clothes over it at night and in the morning it will be super soft!
- To keep your face clear, it may help to change your pillowcase every few weeks.
- Wash first with cold water to open the pores or spots. Then wash with soap or cleanser, then wash with hot water to close the pores/spots.
- Wash your face in lemon mixed with a drop of vinegar once a day, then cover your face in a homemade mask. Use 100g of butter and 190g of honey. Leave it for 8-10 mins, then wash off.
- Apply body lotion right after shower or bath, before you are extremely dry.
- Excess makeup and/or foundation can clog your pores if you do not properly wash your face afterwards; actively washing away the makeup before you go to sleep is always an efficient step towards a clear face.
- Every morning and night, wash, tone, moisturize, and protect your skin.
- Rosehip oil is the best for evening out skin tone and preventing breakouts. Apply on a clean face avoiding eye area in the evening.
- If you have various skin problems, consider various remedies. Using makeup remover, black head scrub/eraser, acne spot treatment (with salicylic acid), toner (with witch hazel and/or salicylic acid) and lotion (in that order) can clear a bad breakout in a week. Just make sure to do it every night. Results may vary according to skin types.
- Clean hair makes it less likely to transfer oil and dirt to your face....but washing your hair too often will damage your hair so make sure you balance the two out.
- try doing small massages this will help your skin a lot.
- Wash your hands nicely with water before touching your face with your hands to apply a cream, cleanser or anything on your face.
- Eat food rich in vitamins, if possible take supplements for better skin result, (supplements only should be taken under medical advise).
- Put on face lotion/moisturizer before bed and when you wake up.
- Only exfoliate our face once or twice a week; any more often can damage your skin.
- Change your face towels every week. They can get dirty. Don't use hand towels for face towels; this passes dirt as well.
- Don't apply moisturizer under your eye unless it's eye cream. It can create bags under your eyes.
- Hot water damages your skin. Warm water opens your pores, but use a bit of moisturizer after rinsing your face with it. Cold water doesn't open up your pores, but it does rinse the surface of your face without you having to worry about moisturizer.
- Every night, soak a cotton pad in rosewater, and apply to your skin before bed. This makes your skin bright and soft, prevents breakouts and it fades acne scars. Be consistent with it otherwise you won't see much of a result.
- Make sure you wash your face gently, and don't scrub your face hard as it may irritate it.
- Combine turmeric powder and honey with chick pea flour and milk into a paste. Apply to skin and leave as a mask for 15 minutes to get glowing skin.
- Wash the face everyday.
- Before washing your face steam it by using warm water this will open the pores, making it easier to get out the dirt and bacteria, however, you must close the pores using cold water after you've finished washing your face.
Warnings
- Don't pick at pimples, it causes irritation leading to blemishes and inflamed acne worse than you started with.
- Make sure you protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunscreen and staying out of direct sunlight. Excessive exposure to sunlight can irritate and harm your skin.
- You may be allergic to some of the chemicals in products, so be sure to test it on the inside of your wrist before putting it on your face
- When you drink too much you may wash out important salts your body needs.
