9 Simple Steps to Clear Skin

Most of us would agree that acne and spots is one of life's more irritating occurrences, especially for teenagers or young adults. Do you usually wake up with an oily film over your nose or chin in the morning? Does your foundation wear off and become “patchy” within a mere few hours after application? When you use new products, does it cause your skin to breakout? Well, suffer no more and follow these 9 simple steps to have clean, fresh and radiant skin!

1. EAT HEALTHY.

Many experts will agree that maintaining a healthy, balanced diet can prevent spot breakouts. Cutting greasy foods, like burgers or chips and Italian foods (as they like to use a lot of oil), out of your diet will help to eliminate acne. Watch out for processed snack foods too, like chocolate and potato crisps, as they contain hydrogenated oils. Also, dairy-based food have a high fat content and can cause the human immune system to respond with an outbreak of spots so avoiding cheese, milk, and butter can help reduce your acne. Whole grain oatmeal is brilliant for your skin, the usual refined carbohydrates you find in other breakfast foods prompt your body to make insulin and increase the production of androgens. Elevated levels of androgens cause the sebaceous glands in the skin to secrete more oil that can get trapped inside your pores, causing spots. Oatmeal is the healthy alternative to this and won't cause blemishes!

2. KEEP YOUR FACE CLEAN.

It may seem like an obvious one but it's very important to wash your face to remove unwanted impurities, such as dead skin cells and extra oil on the surface of the skin. You should aim to wash your face twice a day, once in the morning and once again at night, but washing more often than this isn't better as you can remove the skin's natural oils and cause your face to become very dry and flaky – not necessarily removing your acne. If you are an exercise nut give your skin an extra cleanse after working out as the bacterium that causes spot breakouts thrives in sweat! When washing your face you should use warm water and a mild facial cleanser, such as Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser. Always wash your face gently and using clean hands and a very soft cloth; always rinse your skin and then, to finish, dry your face with a clean towel.

3. EXERCISE.

Fitness and living a healthy lifestyle is very essential. It won't only make you look and feel better within yourself but will minimise the frequency of spot outbreaks. This is because when we exercise we increase the blood flow, which will essentially keep your skin looking healthy and radiant. Also when you work out, you are likely to perspire more regularly which eliminates dirt, toxins and chemicals a lot more efficiently. Just remember to wash your face after exercising!

4. DRINK WATER.

To keep your skin hydrated you should aim to drink 8 glasses of water a day. This will remove all of the unhealthy toxins from your body and keep your skin looking radiant everyday. By doing this, your skin will become healthier with less oil, less dry, and less prone to spots as a result.

5. USE OF MAKE-UP.

Your choice of makeup has a huge effect on your skin. You'll be pleased to know that if you love wearing makeup, you don't have to stop! By looking for products with “non-comedogenic” on their labels, without added dyes and chemicals, you will maintain healthy-looking skin under your makeup. “Non-comedogenic” means that the products had been designed specifically not to clog up the pores in your face. However, it is vital that you remember to wash off your makeup by the end of the day otherwise, leaving the products on your face overnight, your skin is more likely to breakout.

6. FOUNDATION FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN.

It's difficult to find a foundation that fights shine instead of adding to it. I have discovered that Rimmel London Clean Finish Foundation and Clinque Pore Refining Solutions are great examples of an “oily skin” foundation. The Rimmel London foundation contains Vitamins A and E. Vitamin A, or retinol, is good for your skin because it prevents the formation of comedones (which is the most common cause of acne) and has been used since the 1980's as an effective treatment for severe acne. Vitamin E protects your face from sun damage as it absorbs harmful UV light; also Vitamin E helps to treat skin inflammation – which is good when fighting against spot prone skin. If you use more than one type of foundation, for example a mineral base powder, to achieve full coverage my advice would be to apply light layers and allowing them to set fully before applying your next one.

7. GREEN CONCEALER.

Green concealers are excellent in neutralizing the “red zones” on your face. For instance blemishes, using green concealer will cover your face better and camouflage the imperfections on your skin. After applying your layer of foundation, take your green concealer and using a clean brush start applying it to just the blemishes on your face. This will make your finished makeup look appear smoother and spotless. Also, I would recommend using a concealer that contains tea tree oil such as Body Shop's own Tea Tree Concealer. Tea tree oil has so many anti-viral and anti-fungal benefits that will help to clear your skin and stimulate your immune system.

8. CLEAN YOUR MAKE-UP BRUSHES.

By using clean makeup brushes and sponges to apply your products, not only makes it much easier to blend your foundation for a more natural finish but, keeps you from touching your face with your fingers. I would advise that you wash your brushes two or three times a week, depending on how often you use them.

9. STOP TOUCHING YOUR FACE.

As you probably already know, your hands have oil, dirt and bacteria on them so what happens to those toxins when you rub your hands on your face? Well, it's obvious. The face is a sensitive part of your body and the oil from your hands can cause your pores to clog and cause irritation, thus causing acne. If you already have spots or acne on your face, touching your face will only spread the bacteria over your skin – which will cause an outbreak somewhere else on your face.

Trust me, we have all had acne or spot-prone skin at one point in our lives so there's no need to worry. If you follow these 9 steps and add them into your routines, your skin should clear up in no time! I hope I have given you a solution to your acne problem, you don't have to try all of these tips and tricks I've suggested only the ones you think will benefit you. Say goodbye to your blemishes and hello to skin you will be proud of.