How To Have Clear Skin

There’s no such thing as ‘perfect skin,’ but it’s possible to get something close to that idea.

POSTED BY CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR

It’s no secret that many people find it challenging to have clear, unblemished skin. Sure, you can ‘hide’ some blemishes with makeup. But, you’ll always know some imperfections are there, hiding and waiting to show themselves when you take off your makeup.

Let’s face it: there’s no such thing as ‘perfect skin,’ but it’s possible to get something close to that idea. Here are some handy hints and tips to help you have clearer skin and keep it looking as youthful and blemish-free as possible:

Wash your hair daily

Some people don’t always wash their hair each day, but it makes sense to do so. Why? The answer is simple: if you’ve got oily skin, excess oil from your scalp can move to your face and encourage acne breakouts.

Washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner suited to your hair and skin type will significantly decrease the chances of acne breakouts on your face. What’s more, your hair will always feel and smell fresh!

Use a gentle moisturiser

Did you know that people with dry skin could be using the wrong type of moisturiser on their skin, causing all kinds of skin blemishes? If you’re one of those folks, it’s time to look for a moisturiser that’s kinder to your skin.

The moisturiser you choose should be ideal for your skin type and not cause your pores to get clogged up. Ones with natural oils such as olive or coconut oil are an excellent place to start your search.

Don’t pick your pimples

The thing about pimples is they contain trapped bacteria, sebum, and oil. They are clearly unsightly, but they are a good sign that your body’s natural healing processes work. Still, you don’t want to have pimples on your skin, so what can you do about them?

Popping them isn’t the answer because you end spreading the trapped bacteria, resulting in more pimples. Plus, you have a high chance of scarring your skin. The American Academy of Dermatology offers these helpful suggestions:

- Wash the skin around your pimples in a kind and gentle manner;

- Use a treatment that contains 2% benzoyl peroxide on pimples;

- Avoid using toothpaste or other ‘home remedies’ to treat your pimples.

You should also be aware there is a difference between pimples and cysts. If you’ve got something that looks like a pimple but hasn’t gone away for a long time, you need to look at professional cyst removal as it’s likely you’ve got a cyst on your skin.

Use sunscreen during bright and sunny days

One final tip to achieve clearer skin centres around using sunscreen during sunnier days of the year. Most people enjoy spending time in the sun, especially when they can use it to their advantage for achieving a natural tan.

The problem with spending lots of time in the sun is that harmful UV (ultra-violet) rays can and will attack your skin, causing all kinds of issues like blisters and burns. And people that spend too much time in the sun without protection can sadly end up with skin cancer.

With all that in mind, it makes sense to use sunscreen on your skin when you spend time in the sun. You should also use it on warm, cloudy days as UV rays will also impact your skin in such conditions.

UP NEXT ON THE HITLIST
Ok