7 Clear Skin Tips

7 Clear Skin Tips for Your Best Complexion YetIt pretty much goes without saying that we’re all seeking clear skin, but sometimes it feels as though no matter how hard you try to keep breakouts at bay, blemishes pop up anyway (usually at the most inopportune times). You’ve been diligently following a proper skin care routine, including using a good facial cleanser, regularly exfoliating, and applying a quality face moisturizer, but a big pimple still appears right before a big event. It’s, unfortunately, true that how to get clear skin isn’t a super simple equation. With that said, there is more you can do than reach for your best high-coverage concealer. There are certain clear skin tips and tricks you can have up your sleeve to help the next time you’re fighting a breakout battle. So, while we can’t tell you how to get clear skin overnight, we can share our best tips for getting clearer skin over time! Read on for seven clear skin tips that will help you start working toward your best complexion yet

Pimple popping videos may be majorly trendy right now, but if you’re after clear skin, we wouldn’t recommend trying it for yourself. In fact, don’t even touch any pimples you have—we know, it’s so hard to resist! However, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, (AAD), even though picking at or popping a pimple might seem like your ticket to getting clear skin fast, it can actually make things much worse. Every touch or poke can transfer more bacteria onto your skin, so keep your fingers off as much as you can.

If you’ve developed a bit of a popping habit, unfortunately, you could also end up with scarring. That’s one more reason not to mess with your breakouts! In case it’s too late, click over to our article, Can You Get Rid of Acne Scars?

This is basically rule number one of skin care, but it’s so important that we’re repeating it again! Also, let’s be honest, we’d all be lying if we said we never, ever went to bed without washing our face completely. Sometimes it happens, but in order to really ensure your clearest complexion possible, you need to cleanse twice per day plus after breaking a sweat. Whether rain or shine—or a really busy schedule—there’s no excuse not to wash your face with a mild facial cleanser at these times. The AAD concurs, recommending that those with acne-prone skin cleanse every morning and night and after every sweat session. Use a mild facial cleanser that’s formulated to remove impurities from the skin without over drying, such as the L'Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Cleanser. Toss makeup removing wipes or micellar water in your gym bag so you can easily swipe away sweat after your next workout, too. Try the L'Oréal Paris Ideal Clean All Skin Types Makeup Removing Towelettes.

CLEAR SKIN TIP #3: MANAGE YOUR STRESS LEVELS
We know, we know—keeping stress levels low is so much easier said than done! Still, per the Mayo Clinic, periods of high stress can make your skin more sensitive and also trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage clear skin, treat yourself to some much-deserved moments of self-care that can help mitigate stress. Try a nice hot bath or applying a face mask, and vow to get enough sleep and make time for the things you enjoy.
CLEAR SKIN TIP #4: USE NON-COMEDOGENIC PRODUCTSYou may have seen the word ‘non-comedogenic’ printed on beauty products, but you might not realize what it means. Pores are technically called comedones, and if a product is non-comedogenic it means that using it won’t clog your pores. When you’re trying to prevent breakouts or manage a current acne flare-up, it’s a no-brainer to use both skin and makeup products that are non-comedogenic and won’t clog your pores even further. In fact, doing so is recommended by the AAD. For more information on this term, as well as all of our best non-comedogenic product options, head to our article, What Does Non-Comedogenic Mean, Plus Our Best Non-Comedogenic Products.
CLEAR SKIN TIP #5: USE THESE ACNE-FIGHTING INGREDIENTS
When it comes to acne products, there are certain ingredients you’ll want to look out for, including benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and retinoids, according to the AAD. Pick one of these ingredients to try, then give it time to work. If your acne is still being stubborn after four weeks, make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist to determine your best plan of action. As for what not to do, don’t introduce your complexion to every acne-fighting ingredient out there—you don’t want to overwhelm your skin.
CLEAR SKIN TIP #6: DON’T SCRUB YOUR SKIN
Aggressive exfoliation can actually aggravate acne and make it worse. Instead, all you need to do is use a mild facial cleanser twice per day and apply it gently with your hands. Use lukewarm water to create suds and use your fingertips to gently cleanse in circular motions. Then, pat dry with a clean towel and follow-up with a leave-on acne treatment and moisturizer.
CLEAR SKIN TIP #7: USE A PURIFYING FACE MASK
Cleansing is an absolute must, as we’ve already established, but there’s another step you can take in your weekly skin care routine to keep breakouts at bay: using a mattifying face mask. Try using the L'Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate & Refining Face Mask, which helps remove dead skin cells, dirt, and oil from skin—all of which can contribute to the development and proliferation of those unwanted pimples—once or twice per week. Bonus: Applying your face mask can also help lower those stress levels!
And that’s a wrap on our best clear skin tips! Of course, your personal acne treatment plan will depend on a number of factors, including what’s really causing it, whether that’s bacteria, hormones, genetics, lifestyle factors, clogged pores, or a combination of these things. Beyond adopting these tips, we’d also recommend reading up on common reasons acne doesn’t improve. Hop over to our article, This Is Why Your Acne Keeps Getting Worse, for that.