How to get clear skin quickly

How to get clear skin quickly: Wash your face

It may seem like a no-brainer but washing your face is the first tenant of clear skin. Cleansing the skin removes sweat, oil, dirt and other pollutants that your skin naturally collects throughout the day and night.

Cleanse your skin in the morning and in the evening to keep your pores clear and your face fresh. Your cleanser may vary based on skin type, but with all cleansers, the general consensus is to apply them using an upward, circular motion so as to prevent wrinkles from forming. Make sure your hands are clean in order to prevent excess dirt from entering your pores.

Moisturize

One of the biggest causes of dry, aging and blemished skin is a lack of moisture. While moisture comes from what we eat and drink, moisturizer is also essential for maintaining well-hydrated skin. Moisturizing provides a protective layer to the skin that locks in moisture and keeps skin hydrated. This hydration is what gives your skin a smooth, luminous appearance.

Choose a non-clogging moisturizer based on your skin type — it can be a cream, lotion, gel or oil—and gently rub it into your skin in an upward motion, being careful not to tug on the delicate skin around your eyes. Once the moisturizer is applied, give it time to sink in so you receive its full benefits.

How to get clear skin quickly: Put on a mask

Face masks give your face an added boost when you need it most. When your skin is breaking out, try a clay mask. This will help clear out your pores by drawing out excess oil and bacteria. Masks also add moisture back into your skin, giving your complexion a dewy glow.

Spot treatments are your friend

Targeting breakouts is the best way to remedy skin blemishes quickly. Try a natural spot treatment containing ingredients with astringent and antimicrobial properties that will kill the bacteria clogging your pores and help soak up excess oil.

How to get clear skin quickly: Steam it out

Steam is another powerful tool for clearing your skin of breakouts. Put your face over a bowl of boiling water for a few minutes and let the steam bring out the impurities in your skin. The hot water helps moisturize while removing dirt and oil from your pores.

Avoid irritants

Using harsh ingredients on your face could be contributing to your breakouts. Finding skincare products that work for you is key to maintaining healthy skin. Reference this list of ingredients to avoid when buying products and look for ways to simplify your skincare routine so that you aren’t clogging your pores with unnecessary ingredients.

How to get clear skin quickly: Eat your veggies and fruits

As much as we may tire of hearing it, it’s true that what we put in our bodies is just as, if not more important than, what we put on them. Diets that are low in sugar and rich in colorful vegetables and fruits ensure our body has all the acids, nutrients and proteins it needs to maintain our skin cells.

Even if you are following your skincare routine religiously day and night, you may still notice breakouts and a duller complexion simply because you aren’t feeding your body what it needs to thrive. So eat plenty of vegetables, leafy greens, and foods rich in antioxidants to brighten your complexion and prevent future breakouts.

Drink your water

Hand-in-hand with what we eat is what we drink. Our skin cells thrive on water because, like our bodies, they are largely made up of water. Every day, our body uses water for its many processes and sweats moisture out to regulate our temperature. To keep the body running effectively, we need to hydrate often so that our body has the H2O it needs to operate. When the skin is lacking in moisture, it will look dry, flaky and sometimes even crack. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and apply moisturizer to the skin to keep it supple, hydrated and clear.

How to get clear skin quickly: Clean your makeup brushes and devices

Another simple thing you can do to help get rid of breakouts is to clean off your phone, headphones and makeup brushes. These are hotbeds of bacteria that touch our face on a regular basis, and ones we often forget about cleaning. Use anti-microbial wipes to clean these surfaces and help control what’s touching your face and going into your pores.

Want more tips for getting clear skin? Check out our tips for getting clear skin naturally and our five basic steps for every skincare routine.