Whether you struggled with acne as a teen, you’re battling dark spots
in your twenties, or you haven’t quite figured out how to get clear
skin based on your own skin type, everyone struggles with less than
perfect skin. In a world of constant photo sharing and status updating,
the pressure is on to constantly have clear skin, but doing so can be
incredibly difficult. Because everyone (including us!) could use some
help in the clear skin department, we’ve compiled the 101 best tricks
and tips for clear skin below – start reading to get your skin to it’s
ideal place in no time, and bookmark this page for those times when
you’re struggling – it happens to us all, but now you’ll know how to
make the fixes you need.
101. For bad acne marks, a chemical peel can help to reduce or eliminate the discoloration of skin.
100. If you struggle with hormonal breakouts every month, reduce your
alcohol and dairy intake and you’ll see an improvement in your skin.
93. When a pimple comes along and you need to get rid of it ASAP, try a spot treatment like Clinique’s Acne Solutions Spot Healing Gel. It helps to zap pimples in as little as 12 hours.
92. Grapefruit is packed with antioxidants, so using skin care products containing grapefruit will help to wake up your skin and leave it feeling clean and fresh.
91. To get rid of any body acne, make sure you don’t “stew in your
own sweat;” shower with salicylic acid wash immediately after you
workout to avoid clogging your pores.
90. If you’re going to pop a pimple at home, do it the right way.
Sterilize your hands and a small needle with rubbing alcohol, then
gently puncture the whitehead of the pimple, just enough to break the
skin. Using a clean cotton swab, press on either side of the pimple
until it’s drained. Cover with a bandage to keep the area clean while
it’s healing.
89. Oil from your hair will get onto your pillowcase as you sleep, so
change your pillowcases once a week to avoid sleeping on oil all night
long.
88. Rosewater is both balancing and soothing, making it great for all
skin types to even out redness and calm any irritation that may be
happening.
87. Smoking not only dulls your skin and causes blotchiness, it will
also give you wrinkles. Ditch the habit (you’ll thank us later).
86. When you get acne, try your best not to pick at it. The dirt and
oil on your fingers can make things worse with bacteria and you’ll risk
infection, which can lead to scarring.
85. If you can find a tube of moisturizer instead of a jar, use that.
The bacteria from your fingers that touches the lotion each time you go
to apply it stays in the jar and goes onto your face. If you must use a
jar, use a cotton swab to apply product.
84. Benzoyl peroxide products that reduce acne are only good for up
to three months after they’ve been opened, then the ingredients become
inactive. If you’ve got an old tube, toss it in favor of a new one.
83. If you’re stressed, your skin shows it. Try Kiehl’s Skin Rescuer to even out redness and reduce signs of aging.
82. When booking an appointment for a facial, be sure to stay out of the sun for a few days beforehand so that you don’t irritate your skin.
81. An overnight facial that works while you sleep is key, and Korres Wild Rose and Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial lets you wake up looking refreshed.
80. For a seriously awful pimple, head to the dermatologist for a shot of cortisone.
MORE: The 10 Best Dark Spot Correctors to Improve Your Skin
79. If you’ve got dry skin, opt for a face oil instead of a lightweight lotion. The all day hydration will change your skin for the better.
78. Be sure to exfoliate your skin at least twice a week, if not
every day. For sensitive skin, look for a more gentle exfoliator to use
it more frequently without harsh effects.
77. If you’ve got irritable skin, try to find skin care products containing goat’s milk. Because of the stabilized pH level in goat’s milk, it’s not acidic and won’t irritate skin, giving you an even complexion.
76. Contrary to popular belief, putting Vaseline on your face nightly
will not prevent wrinkles. However, if you put a thin layer of Vaseline
over damp skin, moisture will be sealed in and your skin will be much
smoother in the morning.
75. Eating too much chocolate could be the cause of breakouts, but
the acne is likely just from the sugar in the chocolate or the fact that
you’re eating chocolate before your period, so your acne could actually
be hormonal.
74. Botox is proven to help with acne, improving sebum production and reducing the size of your pores.
73. While stress can cause flare ups in your skin, working out can
reduce stress and acne. Incorporating exercise into your daily routine
will combat stress and keep your skin clear.
72. You should always be avoiding skin care products containing
alcohol, but take special note if you’ve got dry skin. Alcohol will only
dry out your skin even more, making for a dry, flaky situation.
71. You should also avoid skin care products with a fragrance,
whether it be a face or a body wash. Fragrances can irritate skin,
causing redness and allergic reactions.
70. Don’t let greasy sunscreen be an excuse for not wearing any at
all! Instead, find a lightweight, non-greasy SPF formula like Shiseido’s Urban Environment UV Protection Cream SPF 30 and stop dangerous UV rays in their tracks.
69. If you’re a DIY beauty queen, use the milk in your fridge to get
clear, smooth skin. Dampen a washcloth with milk and gently pat it over
your face, leaving it on your face for about 10 minutes before rinsing.
For the effect all over, add a cup of milk to your bath water.
Image via New England Journal of Medicine
68. Sunscreen is not just for the beach – the New England Journal of Medicine
discovered that even being exposed to sunlight through glass (like the
windows in your office) can have damaging effects on your skin.
67. For a procedure that will minimize and tighten pores while moisturizing skin, try a microdermabrasion treatment at the spa.
66. For pale-skinned girls everywhere, St. Tropez’s Skin Illuminator makes your skin luminescent and clear.
65. During your morning beauty routine, it’s best to style your hair
before doing your makeup. If you’ve got makeup on your face before you
start using a blow dryer, the heat begins to melt your makeup, sealing
it into your pores and making your skin much more susceptible to
breakouts.
64. If you’ve got an ingrown hair
on your face, use a hot compress on the area to open up pores for about
10 minutes, softening the hair. Then, use a slanted tweezer to pluck
the hair, followed by washing the area to avoid infection.
63. Stop touching your face throughout the day! You pick up bacteria
from every surface you touch from your keyboard to your cell phone to
elevator buttons to menus at a restaurant, and all of that bacteria
floods your face once you start touching your skin. Hands off, and
you’ll see less breakouts.
62. Adding coconut oil to your diet will help to moisturize and smooth your skin, and
Miranda Kerr swears by this trick.
61. Speaking of coconut oil, mix it with baking soda for a killer facial scrub that will help with eczema.
60. Wine (in moderation) is proven to help shield your skin cells from harmful UV rays, so drink up!
59. Green tea is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory
properties, fighting off bacteria and free radicals that can harm your
skin. Try to drink at least one cup of green tea a day.
58. To minimize breakouts during the summer, cut the number of
products you use by opting for a tinted moisturizer with SPF, one of our
favorite triple-duty products.
57. Vitamin E oil heals scars, but be sure to use it sparingly on
your face as too much will overdo it. Dab some over a scar at bedtime to
let the vitamin work overnight.
56. As the seasons change, so should your skin care. The heavy cream
you use in the winter should become a lightweight moisturizer in the
summer so that your skin isn’t taking on more product than it needs
during warmer months.
55. Make washing your face in the morning and nighttime a routine by
setting a reminder for yourself for three weeks. Once you do it for
three weeks straight, it will become habit, and it’ll be integrated into
your daily routine.
54. Using retinoids at night helps to prevent acne and fade spots, treating the areas overnight.
53. Try taking up yoga or another relaxing activity to de-stress
yourself on a regular basis. Because stress is a huge cause of acne,
combating it in any way will reduce breakouts.
52. Can’t find a spot treatment for acne? Try using 100% tea tree oil
on the area before bedtime, and you’ll wake up with a much happier
complexion.
51. Clean your glasses and sunglasses with rubbing alcohol to kill
any bacteria that may be living on them, causing breakouts while they
sit on your face.
50. If you’ve got bangs, you may experience breakouts more frequently
on your forehead than any other part of your face because of the excess
oil from your hair. Be sure to wash your bangs every day if you’re used
to going two days without washing your hair, or pin your bangs up while
they’re especially in need of a shampoo.
49. By learning which skin type you have, you can also learn how to
treat it. Whether it’s dry, normal, oily or combination, there’s a
specific type of product you should be looking for that will work best
for you.
48. Clean your makeup brushes
every two weeks or so. The amount of product and bacteria build up that
happens within two weeks is frightening, and the longer you wait to
clean the brushes the longer you’re putting the bacteria right on your
skin, causing breakouts. Use warm water and a mild anti-bacterial soap
to clean your brushes, laying flat to dry to avoid any warping that can
happen.
47. Don’t over-wash your face. Though clean skin leads to clear skin,
washing too vigorously or too often can irritate skin and do more harm
than good.
46. Avoid oil-based foundations and other cosmetic products, as the oil will clog pores and certainly cause breakouts.
45. In addition to face wash, use a toner if you’ve got oily skin.
Any excess makeup and bacteria will be removed and you’ll have fresh
skin.
44. Try to cut back on fast food or anything fried. The excess grease
may not immediately cause acne, but over time it can build up and your
skin will be showing the effects.
43. Similarly to fast food, avoid sugary drinks like soda and juice
in favor of water. A sugar surplus will not do anything to help your
skin.
42. If you’re skipping a day of shampoo, sleep with your hair in a
ponytail to keep your face away from any grease that may be in your
strands.
41. For irritated skin, rubbing an ice cube over your face for a few
minutes a day will help to alleviate any burning or redness happening.
40. Don’t just wash and moisturize your face – take care of every inch of skin on your body for clear skin overall.
39. One cause of body acne on your shoulders may be that your bra
straps are too tight. By loosening the straps just a pinch, your skin
will be able to breathe and will be less prone to breaking out in that
area. Plus, make sure you’re not allergic to the fabric in the bra.
38. Products containing almonds
can help to moisturize your skin and lighten dark circles, so look for
almonds on the ingredients label on your next skin care purchase.
37. If you’ve got sensitive skin, try to buy hypoallergenic products
to reduce any allergic reactions that may happen in the future.
36. Treat yourself to a spa day once in a while. Relax, rest and get a
seriously awesome skin treatment that will make you feel like a new
person.
MORE: Waxing: Your Go-To Source For Hair Removal
35. Make sure you’re getting at least seven hours of sleep a night. A
lack of sleep wreaks havoc on your skin, but resting for enough time
each night lets your body rejuvenate and restore itself, leading to
clearer skin.
34. Your cell phone contains more bacteria than a toilet seat, so
putting it against your face when you’re talking on the phone can cause
massive breakouts. Be sure to use anti-bacterial wipes to clean your
phone, plus use speaker phone or your headphones as much as possible
when calling your friends to avoid acne.
33. Using mineral makeup that contains zinc-oxide will help to fight
acne as you cover it, instead of other makeup that will simply clog
pores. Look for this ingredient the next time you’re due for a new
foundation.
32. If you’re someone who struggles with not drinking enough water
throughout the day, place a full glass of water on your bedside table at
night and drink it as soon as you wake up in the morning to kickstart
hydration. Hydrated skin is clearer skin.
31. Carry a pack of oil blotting sheets
in your purse wherever you go for touch ups throughout the day. By
getting rid of oil and shine throughout the day, it won’t be building up
on your face for hours before you wash it off.
30. Don’t be afraid of moisturizer, even if you’ve got oily skin.
Applying makeup on top of dry, flaky skin will only make your skin look
even more dry and flaky, so opt for a lightweight moisturizer to keep
things smooth and clear.
29. Steam and hot water will open pores while cold water and air will
help to close them. Never apply your makeup directly after a hot shower
because when your pores are open, they’ll instantly absorb more of the
makeup, clogging pores. Wait about 10 to 15 minutes before applying
makeup so that your pores will close up first.
28. Try going without makeup for one day a week over the weekend to let your skin breathe.
27. Ditch your makeup products
after they’ve been around for six months. Once they hit the six month
mark, they’ve got enough bacteria in them to cause a breakout.
26. Don’t use your hand towel as your face towel. The dirt that is
left behind on a hand towel should not be used to rub against your face,
so be sure to use separate towels.
25. Cut back on the candy. Sugar in candy builds up in your body and manifests in the form of acne, so try reaching for a healthier snack instead.
24. Even when you’re inside, you should be wearing an SPF on your
face. The lightbulbs and screens that shine on your face all day can
actually cause damage that’s completely prevented with sunscreen.
23. Try a face mask about once a week, but don’t overuse it (like every day).
22. Sitting close to your laptop
and letting your hair fall in your face can cause breakouts, so be sure
to sit a bit farther from your computer and pull your hair into a
ponytail while you’re at the screen.
21. Crush up aspirin and mix it into water to form a paste, put it on your face and let it dry as a face mask, then rinse it off. It dries up acne, healing it at the source.
20. Apple cider vinegar works as a toner to help clear your skin by
balancing your pH level. Try drinking a tablespoon of it a day to cure
acne from the inside out.
19. Crush up garlic and mix it with water, then take a washcloth and
dampen part of it, washing the areas of your face that usually break
out. It works as a great antibacterial solution.
18. Honey is also a natural antibacterial agent. Try placing a dab of
honey on a problem pimple at night, and the issue will be much smaller
when you wake up in the morning.
17. Mint is an anti-inflammatory, so using mint oil or crushed mint
leaves on a red, irritated area of skin will help to soothe the
situation.
16. Beefing up your fiber intake will help with digestion, meaning
your body will be able to process foods better and in turn, your skin
will reap the benefits. Foods rich in fiber include fruits, vegetables
and whole grains.
15. Limit the dairy products you consume, like milk and cheese. These
days, animals are fed hormones so that their food products are super
charged, but it means that the milk you’re drinking and the cheese
you’re eating could contain hormones, which can throw off your own
hormonal balance (like when you get your period).
14. Lavender oil and aloe vera juice can help minimize acne scars.
13. Plain yogurt makes a fantastic hydrating face mask. Apply a layer to your skin and wash it off after about 15 minutes.
12. Taking a biotin supplement will help your body regenerate skin
cells faster, so your skin will be clearer faster. Added bonus: it also
helps with hair and nail growth.
11. If it seems like a certain beauty product is making you break out, talk to your doctor to test if you’re allergic to gluten or another ingredient that may be irritating your skin.
10. Slice up a tomato and lay it over your face, allowing the juice to act as astringent to break up oil and dirt.