Below I’ve outlined the most important first steps you need to take in your completely clear skin system.
1 For beautiful glowing skin wash your face a few hours before you go to bed. If you wait until you’re ready to hit the sack, you’ll be too tired to wash up, and research shows skin repairs itself best around 10 p.m. So let skin breathe long before you start snoozing.
2 Wear sunscreen every day. Use a skin moisturizer that has an SPF 15 or higher. UV rays can do their damage while you’re sitting in class, riding in the car or walking the dog – even when it’s not sunny.
3 Be nice to your face. Picking, poking, and squeezing force bacteria deeper into the skin, resulting in scarring and further breakouts. Yuck.
4 Stop thinking that if your skin feels tight it must be clean. Tight skin isn’t clean skin–it’s dry skin. If you’re rushing to dab on moisturizer after you wash, time to find a cleanser that won’t leave you high and dry. Normal and combination skin will benefit most from a gel formula. Have dry or sensitive skin? Go for a creamy cleanser. Either way, choose a low foaming formula. More lather=more drying. Less lather=less drying.
5 Banish breakouts. If you’ve got major oily skin, an acne solutions clear skin system is for you. If you just get spot breakouts, avoid acne washes. They worsen skin by drying out the clear parts and allowing dead skin-cell buildup. The buildup traps oil under skin, leading to more clogged pores and breakouts. So use spot treatments as well as consider an acne body treatment.
6 Keep shine at bay midday. Oily skin? You can’t stop or slow down oil production. The beautiful solution? Blotting papers! They instantly pull oil off your skin.
7 Wash your face after you do your ‘do. Almost all conditioners, hair sprays and mousses contain ingredients that can clog pores. So (carefully) wash your face after using hair products.
8 Clean your makeup brushes weekly—this is important. Bacteria and oil can build up which can lead to clogged pores and acne skin. Use a mild soap and cold water to carefully wash out brushes, and rinse thoroughly. Toss cosmetics sponges after a few uses to prevent the spread of bacteria.
9 Change pillowcases often for better skin. As you sleep, bacteria and oil collect on your pillowcase and are reintroduced to your skin the following night. So invest in a stack of nice pillowcases, and wash them with a dye- and fragrance-free laundry detergent.
10 Get your beauty rest! Eight hours should do the trick. Sleep not only keeps undereye circles away but, at night, your body most actively rids itself of toxins that might otherwise wreak havoc with your skin. Z’s also reduce stress, the top ache aggravator!
Oily skin, dry skin, clear skin
It seems that everywhere you turn there are skin care products for women claiming to do it all: prevent blemishes, get rid of wrinkles and replenish dry, irritated skin, and some even tout skin tag removal, but before buying expensive skin care products, you should determine what type of skin you have.
The four skin types are:
- Dry skin
- Oily skin
- Normal skin
- Combination skin
Women who have dry skin often feel that their skin is tight, or rough. Dry skin is often also flaky and scaly, and it can sometimes be red or itchy. If you have dry skin, you should avoid washing with hot water. Also, stay away from harsh soaps and alcohol-based skin products, as these will only further irritate your skin.
Oily skin is shiny in appearance and often has large pores; it is also acne prone. If you have oily skin, you should avoid scrubbing your face as this will lead to more breakouts; use non comedogenic skin products.
Normal or clear skin has a healthy glow and does not have any redness or large pores. It is neither oily nor dry; women with this skin type should use products that will help their skin maintain its natural water balance for beautiful glowing skin.
Combination skin has areas that are dry and oily. The oily sections are generally the forehead, nose and chin (also known as the T-zone), while cheeks tend to be less oily. Women with combination skin should use products developed specifically for their skin type, in order to avoid over-drying their skin and causing irritation.
Women with sensitive skin should ensure that that they use water-soluble products and wash with tepid water to avoid irritation. Look for alcohol-free skin products and sensitive skin care products that contain thyme, rosemary and calamine. Women with dry, or sensitive skin should also take short showers or baths of no more than five to ten minutes, using lukewarm water. They should use a skin moisturizer immediately after a shower or bath; moisturizing hand soap is also useful in keeping the skin properly hydrated.
Daily Skin Care for Healthy Skin
In the clear skin system every woman’s skin care routine should be made up of three main components, morning and night: cleansing, toning and moisturizing.
Cleansers remove makeup, dirt and oil. If you have normal or oily skin, you can use soap, while a formulated cream works better for women with sensitive skin. Make sure to rinse well, splashing the face five to ten times with warm water. Pat dry.
A toner or astringent removes any remaining traces of oil, dirt and soap. Those with drier, or more sensitive skin should consider alcohol level when purchasing a toner, as toners can dry out the skin. Toners should be applied using a cotton pad or cotton ball. Toners are especially helpful for those with oily skin.
Moisturizing is an important final step of every woman’s daily skin care regimen; even oily skin needs to be well moisturized. A skin moisturizer cream helps replenish the skin, helping it regain the moisture lost throughout the day and through the cleansing process. Dot moisturizer on gently and avoid rubbing it in.
Using a mask once-weekly helps deep clean the pores and replenishes moisture to the skin.
Also remember to keep your hands off your face; touching your face spreads germs and can lead to break outs. Wash your hands with soap and water.
Skin care doesn’t have to be expensive; there are many affordable skin care options available for women. Find a brand that works for your skin type and stick with it for at least 6 to 8 weeks in order to start seeing results. The best thing to do is try a round of samples of each appealing product, you’re bound to find one that’s right for you.
Diet and Better Skin
One of the easiest ways to get healthy, beautiful glowing skin is to maintain a balanced diet. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables helps skin look and feel its best while drinking lots of water keeps skin moisturized.
Acne Prone Skin
While most people develop facial acne and body acne as teenagers, due to hormonal changes, adults can also develop acne due to stress and changes in hormone levels.
Proper acne body treatment or clear skin system should include the use of a cleanser containing either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, both of which help reduce acne skin.
Cleanse the face gently; scrubbing only exacerbates the skin. Also be sure to change your pillowcase on a regular basis, as it can trap oil. Pull your hair back as much as possible; oil in the hair can cause breakouts, especially along the hairline. Use a non-comedogenic skin moisturizer and foundation to avoid clogging your pores. More severe forms of acne are more effectively treated using prescribed oral treatments, such as birth control pills and oral antibiotics. Talk to your doctor or dermatologist about which oral acne treatment is best for you.
Anti-Aging Skin Care
The most common signs of aging skin are the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; skin also loses its elasticity due to a decrease in collagen production. Maintaining a well-balanced diet also minimizes the effects of aging on your skin. So does NOT smoking.
Look for skin anti-aging care products that contain flax oil and vitamin B complexes. Many top skin products have anti-aging skin care treatments that contain retinol. A derivative of vitamin A, retinol boosts collagen and elastin in the skin, making it appear more like youthful beautiful glowing skin. Retinol also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Look for wrinkle free skin creams that contain retinol to keep your skin looking and feeling great.
Sun Protection for Healthy Skin
The effects of the sun on your skin can be fatal. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation leads to changes in the skin, including moles, and pre-cancerous and cancerous growths such as melanoma.
To reduce skin sun damage, avoid sun exposure between 10 am and 3 pm, when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. Always wear a sunscreen (year-round) with an SPF of 15 or higher. Make sure that your sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays, as both these types of UV radiation can lead to serious sun damage. Reapply every two to three hours. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and cover up with clothing to further protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays.
You have officially started your acne free clear skin system and are on your way to better skin.