Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCleansingExfoliateOTC ProductsMoisturizeVitamin CNiacinamideSleepManage StressHealthy FoodsExerciseDon’t SmokeSunscreen
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Cleansing
Exfoliate
OTC Products
Moisturize
Vitamin C
Niacinamide
Sleep
Manage Stress
Healthy Foods
Exercise
Don’t Smoke
Sunscreen
How to get clear skin involves some quick and easy strategies, such as washing and moisturizing your skin regularly, following a healthy diet, and other healthy habits.
Adopting these fast, proven tips while using gentle acne-fighting products can help to reduce breakouts and bring out healthy, clear skin.
Digital Vision / Getty Images
Cleanse Twice a Day
Our skin requires regular cleansing to wash away dirt, bacteria, and excess oil.Acne breakoutsoccur when the pores in the skin become clogged with dirt, dead skin cells, and oil.If you tend to have oily skin, washing twice per day can help to reduce the oil, orsebum, on your skin. This is especially important during the adolescent years when the skin’s oil production is at its highest.
While washing your face will help reduce acne and promote clear skin, it’s possible to overdo it. Washing more than twice daily can dry out and irritate the skin.When the skin is dry, it causes an increase in oil production to lubricate it. Stick with twice-daily washing, except it’s okay to wash once more if you’ve just put in a sweaty workout.
Use a Mild Cleanser
Choose a mild cleanser without a lot of ingredients and fragrances. Be gentle when washing your face and other skin with acne. Apply thecleanserlightly with your fingertips, using a circular motion. Gently rinse it off with warm water, using only your fingers. Then pat your skin dry with a clean towel.
Use Oil-Free, Noncomedogenic Products
The exfoliation method you choose should be based on your skin type:
Apply Topical Acne-Fighting Products
In addition to prescription treatments, there are several over-the-counter (OTC) acne products that you can try before going to your healthcare provider. Most of these products are designed to fight acne as opposed to prevent it. Always read the labels carefully before starting a new regimen.
The most common OTC treatments include the following:
When Should You See a Dermatologist?If you have tried some at-home skin treatments without any improvement in the look and feel of your skin, check in with your dermatologist.They will recommend treatment options, so you won’t have to keep going it alone.Start with lifestyle changes like regular cleansing, moisturizing, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep. If those don’t seem to make a difference, talk with your healthcare provider about possible topical treatments, oral medications, or other options. Your healthcare provider may be able to offer the following acne solutions:Prescription retinoid products (topical or oral)AntibioticsOral contraceptivesSteroidsLaser treatmentsChemical peel
When Should You See a Dermatologist?
If you have tried some at-home skin treatments without any improvement in the look and feel of your skin, check in with your dermatologist.They will recommend treatment options, so you won’t have to keep going it alone.Start with lifestyle changes like regular cleansing, moisturizing, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep. If those don’t seem to make a difference, talk with your healthcare provider about possible topical treatments, oral medications, or other options. Your healthcare provider may be able to offer the following acne solutions:Prescription retinoid products (topical or oral)AntibioticsOral contraceptivesSteroidsLaser treatmentsChemical peel
If you have tried some at-home skin treatments without any improvement in the look and feel of your skin, check in with your dermatologist.They will recommend treatment options, so you won’t have to keep going it alone.
Start with lifestyle changes like regular cleansing, moisturizing, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep. If those don’t seem to make a difference, talk with your healthcare provider about possible topical treatments, oral medications, or other options. Your healthcare provider may be able to offer the following acne solutions:
Use a Moisturizer
Choose a moisturizer that is oil-free or noncomedogenic to prevent clogged pores. Apply it after cleansing and any time your skin feels dry.
Use Topical Vitamin C
Applying products containing vitamin C to the skin may help slow early skin aging, prevent sun damage, and improve the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, and acne.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant. Applying topical vitamin C can fight free radicals that can damage the skin and may improve the skin’s overall appearance. Studies have shown that vitamin C in serums and other skincare products may help:
Try Niacinamide-Based Products
Niacinamideis a form of vitamin B3 that when added to topical products may have numerous skin health benefits. Niacinamide has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties that studies have shown may help with hyperpigmentation, acne, and several skin conditions.
Studies have shown topical products containing 2% to 5% niacinamide may improve skin elasticity and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness (loss of natural complexion).
Keep Towels Clean
Changing out towels every few days may help prevent bacteria or mold from growing on them. It’s best to have face-only towels to prevent cross-contamination. White towels are also helpful so dirt is more visible. After cleansing and rinsing your face using your fingertips, gently pat your skin dry, rather than rubbing.
Change Pillowcases Frequently
Over several days, dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria can build up on your pillowcase, which may contribute to acne breakouts. Using silk pillowcases may be ideal because they are less abrasive and absorb less moisture than cotton pillowcases. Most importantly, change your pillowcases every few days, or if you sweat while sleeping, change them more frequently.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep can help promote clearer, healthier-looking skin. That’s because sleep helps us regulate stress and balance hormones. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body produces more stress hormones like cortisol. These hormones can then lead to increased inflammation in the skin; this can look like redness, irritation, and acne breakouts.Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
Find Ways to De-Stress
Finding effective ways to de-stress can lead to clearer skin. Stress alone won’t cause acne. However, we know that stress can lead to a worsening of existing acne symptoms.
When we’re under stress, our bodies release stress hormones, which can lead to increased sebum production in the skin. This excess oil can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Stress can also lead to other behaviors that make acne worse, such as sleeping less or eating more sugary foods.
Start incorporating proven stress-busting techniques likemindfulness, meditation, or exercise. Get plenty of rest, and talk with your healthcare provider if you’re having a tough time managing daily stress.
Eat the Right Foods
Do chocolate and greasy foods really cause acne? It sounds like an old wives tale, but there is evidence that our diets may affect our skin’s appearance. Studies have linked eating a low-glycemic diet to improved skin health. Low-glycemic foods do not spike your body’s blood sugar level and insulin response like high-glycemic foods do.
High blood sugar can increase inflammation, which triggers sebum production in the sebaceous glands.High-glycemic foodsto avoid include:
Low-glycemic foods can lead to less inflammation in the body. Examples of low-glycemic foods include:
One possible exception to the low-glycemic rule is cow’s milk. Milk does not spike blood sugar but it has been associated with acne symptoms. However, no studies have found that products made from milk, such as yogurt or cheese, lead to more acne breakouts.
Dermatologists usually recommend cutting out a type of food for a week or month and monitoring for any changes in your skin. If your acne dramatically improves, you may want to make the dietary change permanent.
Drink Plenty of Water
All cells in the body need water. Although there isn’t research to show hydration improves acne, some studies show it might make skin smoother, reduce dryness, and improve elasticity.
Get Moving
Studies are limited, but one study found athletes who exercised more than eight hours per week had less acne (and other skin problems) than recreational athletes who exercised fewer hours.
If you sweat a lot while exercising, try to take a shower soon afterward to remove oils, bacteria, and sweat from your face, shoulders, and back.
Cigarette smoking can cause a non-inflammatory form of acne called atypical post-adolescent acne (APAA), or “smoker’s acne.“APAA doesn’t cause redness, warmth, and swelling like inflammatory forms of acne. Rather than producing inflamed pimples, APAA causescomedones—small, non-inflamed skin bumps.
If you need help with quitting smoking, talk to your healthcare provider about methods that may help.
Wear Sunscreen
Greasy sunscreen may sound like the last thing acne-prone skin needs, but wearing a light sunscreen every day can lead to clearer skin. Just like with moisturizers, look for oil-free and noncomedogenic products that won’t clog your skin’s pores.
Dermatologists usually recommend applying sunscreen in the morning after washing your face and applying your acne medication. This way, the sunscreen will protect you from the sun’s rays without blocking your medication.
Wearing daily sunscreencan also help to protect against signs of skin aging like redness, dryness, wrinkles, and rough patches. Age spots are a result of sun damage over time. Sunburn can lead to flaky skin that could scar if you find yourself picking at it. In addition to an oil-free sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat can help to protect your skin and keep it clear.
Summary
24 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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