16 Ways To Get Clear, Soft & Radiant Skin!

Who doesn’t aspire for clear, glass-like and radiant skin? We all do! However, when dirt, pollution and bacteria come into play, our skin aspirations may go for a toss.

In this article, we discuss important steps that you need to include in your skin care routine for clear skin.

What Is Clear Skin?

Clear skin is basically skin that is free of blemishes, scars or pimples. Certain factors like genes, pollution, dirt and debris trigger the development of acne, dark spots and patches. This can make your face appear unclear and dull.

However, maintaining clear skin isn’t a task if you take out sometime in the day to pamper yourself. Let’s find out how.

How Can You Maintain Clear Skin?

1. Cleanse Two Times A Day

Cleansing is important to remove dirt and debris that accumulates on the surface of your skin. Cleanse your face with lukewarm water at least two times a day.

Use a mild cleanser that doesn’t contain harmful chemicals and balances your skin’s pH levels.

Your skin’s pH ranges between 4.7-5.7 (1), making it weakly acidic. Any cleanser that disrupts this pH is not ideal for your skin. You can test them by using a litmus paper.

Another way in which you can determine that your cleanser isn’t right for your skin is by the amount of foam it creates. If your cleanser produces too much foam, it likely has an alkaline base and is not good to use on your skin.

Note:

Make sure you wash off the cleanser thoroughly. Leaving it on will not only irritate your skin, but can also clog your pores.

2. Use Sunscreen

Besides tanning, the sun’s UV rays can also dry out your skin and lead to excess sebum production. This can cause clogging of your pores, acne breakouts, dark spots and pigmentation. Thus, wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen is important. Make sure to reapply your sunscreen every two hours to avoid sun damage.

3. Moisturize Well

Your skin requires you to stay hydrated. A loss of moisture can trigger your sebaceous glands to produce too much sebum. This can clog your pores, causing an acne breakout. Moisturization keeps your skin hydrated and prevents an overproduction of oil in your skin.

4. Use A Toner

Toners are used to remove left-over dirt from your skin. They promote healthy and clear skin with their pH-balancing properties.

5. Change Your Pillows Regularly

When you sleep, the sweat, dirt and bacteria from your body can transfer onto your pillow. Cleansing your face isn’t enough to prevent acne breakouts. Changing your pillows regularly is important to avoid dirt and bacteria from accumulating on your skin.

6. Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Your makeup brushes carry dirt and debris that can clog your pores. Make it a point to gently wash your brushes every now and then.

7. You Are What You Eat

A diet rich in carbohydrates contributes to unhealthy skin. Research suggests that consuming too much sugar and oil can make your skin breakout (2). Eating water-rich foods will keep your skin hydrated. Foods rich in Vitamin A and C are good to maintain clear and healthy skin.

8. Don’t Pop The Pimples!

Popping or squeezing pimples can not only aggravate breakouts, but can also leave a scar behind. As tempting as it may appear to you, try not to squeeze your pimple. Topical acne creams should be applied to the affected area if you want to get rid of a pimple quickly.

9. Add Topical Retinoids To Your Skincare Routine

Topical retinoids are often referred to as the ‘core of topical therapy’ (3). This is because they have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that are effective in maintaining clear skin. If you have acne-prone skin, add a topical cream to your night-time skincare regimen.

10. Get Your 7- 8 Hours Of Sleep

Sleeping is the best medicine, not just for your peace of mind, but also for your skin. Your skin works on restoring itself and healing broken tissues while you’re asleep. This may mean that you’d have to skip your late night chats or phone calls. But you’ll see the change!

11. Sanitize Not Just Your Hands, But Also Your Gadgets

Earphones, smartphones, laptops and other gadgets you touch very often should be sanitized from time to time. These carry bacteria and dirt from your fingers that can result in acne breakouts once you touch your face after using them.

12. Oral And Topical Remedies

Topical and oral remedies can be used if you have acne-prone skin (4). Talk to your dermatologist about the various medications available for you to achieve clear skin. This will help increase your cell-turnover ratio, provide anti-inflammatory properties and reduce acne marks and pimples.

13. Beware Of Your Hair!

Products that you use on your hair can clog your pores when they come in contact with your skin. Try not to let your hair touch your face too much to avoid clogged pores.

14. Wash The Oil Off Your Hair Thoroughly

Oiling your hair is great, but can also contribute to an oily scalp and forehead if not washed off properly.

15. Exfoliate Regularly

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells to reveal healthy, young-looking cells beneath. It also prevents these dead cells from clogging your pores. Exfoliating once or twice a week is recommended.

Note:

Exfoliating too often can eradicate your skin barrier, resulting in loss of moisture. This can trigger your sebaceous glands to overproduce sebum that can cause acne breakouts.