10 TIPS FOR CLEARER SKIN

Let’s talk about clear skin!

Acne isn’t always only for teens...occasionally adults can get it too. But there are steps you can take to turn your skin around at any age.

Here are 10 quick tips to help you on your way to clearer skin:

#1 Be gentle to your skin.
Scrubbing too hard leaves skin rough and red. If you do use your hands, make sure that they're clean, or you could transfer acne-causing oil and dirt right back onto your skin. When you’re ready to dry your face, don’t rub your face vigorously—instead, gently pat skin dry with a clean towel.

#2 Wash your face before bed.
Despite its benefits, many of us lead such busy lives that we often neglect to wash our faces at the end of the day. But this step is super important in your clear skin journey! Wash your face for a minimum of 30 seconds every night.

#3 Don’t forget to moisturize.
If you have acne, you may be tempted to go without your morning moisturizer, but drying out your skin can actually make acne worse.

#4 Wash off all of your cleanser.
Leftover cleanser equals leftover dirt and oil. Rinse with tepid water (hot water dries out your skin and cold water closes your pores) until skin feels clean and smooth and no longer slippery or soapy.

#5 The morning dilemma.
Should I wash my face in the morning? Very oily skin can benefit from a morning wash. But normal to dry skin can just be rinsed or even swiped with just a pH-balancing toner. Then you are ready for your serums and creams.

#6 Activate cleanser in your hands.
Work into a light lather in your hands to make your cleanser more effective when applied to your face, and apply first to dry skin. It helps to activate the skin-clearing ingredients within its formula.

#7 Chemical and/or physical exfoliation?
Chemical exfoliation uses several types of chemicals to remove dead skin cells and other impurities from your skin, such as AHAs (like glycolic acid), BHAs (such as salicylic acid), or fruit enzymes.

Physical exfoliants are products that contain some type of usually ground up material. By rubbing the particles against your skin, it buffs away the layer of dead skin cells.

The trick is to remove the layers of dead skin cells and dirt that are blocking your pores—and uncover fresh new cells to reveal your skin's natural glow. No matter which method you pick, or whether you choose to alternate the types of exfoliant, it’s important to use an exfoliator 2 - 3 times per week.

#8 Switch out your pillowcase.
I hate to add laundry to your to-do list, but fun fact: keeping your pillows clean is a top beauty secret! Pillowcases can hang on to bacteria, dirt and oil from our faces, our hair and the environment, and can become a breeding ground for acne. Aim to swap out your pillowcase at least once a week to reduce the risk of breakouts.

#9 Don't forget to clean that phone.
Since our phones are in our hands a lot, your phone picks up lots of bacteria, which can then get transferred to your face when you make a call. If you're seeing pimples on your cheeks where you hold your phone, this could be the culprit. Clean your screen with an antibacterial wipe regularly to combat bacteria!

#10 Diet makes a huge difference.
An important factor for clear skin is diet. Certain foods can raise your blood sugar, which then causes your body to release insulin. Having excess insulin in your blood can cause your oil glands to produce more oil, increasing the risk of acne.