Tips For Clearer Skin by Charlotte Simon

Some of us are blessed with clear, glowing and healthy skin, but unfortunately the rest of us have to work a little harder for it. After trying most creams, tricks and “quick-fixes”, I’ve come up with a fail-safe list to improve the quality and look of your skin…without surgery or pricey products.

DON’T CUT CORNERS

It’s so much easier to get in from a night out, dash straight to the bedroom (yours of course) and leave makeup removal until the morning, but you’ll regret it a few days later. Foundation and thick primers are the worst offenders and prevent the skin from renewing itself causing blocked pores and blemishes. Another skin care naughty is skipping your cleanse-tone-moisturise routine. Pick three products that you like and stick to them!

CHANGE YOUR PILLOWCASES

Hair products, oil, leftover makeup and more soil your pillow every night, why would you want to lay your face on that?! Some have stated that changing their pillowcase more regularly has been the sole reason their skin improved, worth a try surely?

DRINK MORE WATER

Apparently less than 1% of us drink the recommended eight glasses per day, but we all know water helps clear the toxins that cause inflammation and blemishes. It also assists in transporting nutrients and oxygen to skin cells, and preventing dehydration. Added bonus? IT’S FREE!

GO EASY ON EXFOLIANTS

Over active oil glands can lead to breakouts, but so can under performing ones. Dry skin has tiny cracks in which bacteria can breed and flaking can cause pores to block. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells leaving skin brighter, but if done excessively skin becomes weak and over produces oil. Aim to exfoliate gently 2-3 times a week, no more! Be sure to follow up with a noncomedogentic (non-clogging) moisturiser.

GIVE IT TIME

Give any new potion at least 12 weeks (and up to 6 months) to see if it’s really improving your skin before calling it quits. It’s hard when you don’t see results straight away but hold out, you might be giving up on something that your skin has been craving!

DON’T TOUCH!

Picking and popping can permanently damage the skin, and just like the pillows, some sufferers of bad skin claim they saw massive improvements once they trained themselves to stop touching their face. Next time you get the urge to pick remember that every time you press against a blemish, it causes inflammation and distress to the skin. At the same time, bacteria are pushed deep inside the pore, and the oil glands burst, causing even more trauma. The result? More acne, discoloration and scarring.

CUT DOWN ON SUGAR

Sugar sucks all the water out of your cells making your skin dehydrated and leading to puffiness and dark eyes. In addition, foods that spike blood sugar can increase hormones which can stimulate oil production leading to, you guessed it, more blemishes. Cravings for sweet stuff will disappear pretty quickly after a few days, so stick with it!

DE-STRESS

As I’m sure you’ve noticed the skin and mind are intimately intertwined, that’s why you look so much more refreshed when you get back from holiday in comparison to peak exam season! Lots of skin conditions including acne and eczema are triggered and worsened by your psyche so make sure you take 15 minutes a day to relax, no excuses!

GRAB SOME ICE

Ice can help tighten skin and control oil production. If rubbed over problem areas it can reduce redness and swelling providing relief and a cooling effect. Ice also works great before makeup application to minimise pores and help keep products in place for longer.

Charlotte is a student fashion and beauty blogger, follow her on Twitter: @FashionCarousel

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