Best Ways to Get Clear Skin

Clear skin... everyone wants it! Aside from a person's smile, or eyes, skin is one of the first things another person notices when they meet someone. And when a person has clear, glowing skin, it makes them look healthy and feel confident. But many times, people have skin problems such as acne, dullness, dry patches, eczema and more, which makes them feel very self-conscious. So what are the best ways to get clear skin? This blog will share some great tips on getting clear skin and helping it to stay that way. Always remember, though -- if you have a skin problem that you are concerned about or you want to start a new skin care regimen, always consult with your doctor first.

- First things first: always drink plenty of water. Dehydration contributes to dull-looking dry skin; dehydration can help cause the appearance of fine lines. Water helps to flush out any toxins in your system, which can cause skin problems such as acne, and helps keep your skin hydrated from the inside.

- Cleanse and tone your skin in the morning and at night. Cleansing and toning your skin helps to rid your skin of dirt, excess oil and other impurities; and toning can help to exfoliate and get rid of the layer of dead skin cells. This will help to prevent clogged pores and acne breakouts, and give the appearance of brighter, healthier looking skin.

- If you want extra exfoliation to help get rid of the layer of dead skin cells, to brighten and smooth the skin, try an exfoliating scrub with gentle exfoliating beads. Gentle exfoliating scrubs are great since they do not damage the skin in any way. You can make your own inexpensive gentle exfoliating scrub at home by mixing one tablespoon of granulated sugar with a small amount of a skin-nourishing oil, such as olive oil. Mix the two together and apply to your face in circular, outward motions, then rinse. Voila! Your skin will be oh-so-soft and satiny smooth.

- Moisturize your skin daily, with a moisturizer suited for your skin type, morning and night -- even if you have oily skin. Sometimes oily skin overproduces oil because its natural moisture is not being replenished. Moisturizing helps to replenish the natural moisture lost during cleansing, and also helps improve skin's elasticity and resiliency. Moisturizing also helps your skin to retain moisture, making it soft and silky smooth. What's the best part? Sticking to a daily moisturizing regimen helps to soften the appearance of fine lines and helps to prevent future fine lines from forming. Moisturizing also helps keep the itchiness of eczema at bay, and in some cases, can help prevent it from returning.



- If you have acne, do not pick at it or pop it, no matter how great the temptation. That will only lead to scarring and dark marks, and possibly cause more acne to erupt. Cleanse, tone, exfoliate and moisturize to help prevent acne from popping up; and when you have a pimple, use a good, non-irritating spot acne treatment such as tea tree oil to help soothe inflammation and clear up the pimple.

- Remember how I talked about the importance of drinking water for clear skin? Well, making sure you eat healthy and get adequate exercise is just as important for clear skin. What you put in your body will show up on the outside of your body, so be sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, foods rich on omega-3 essential fatty acids and lean proteins. Nourishing your body will, in turn, nourish your skin. And exercise will get your heart pumping and blood flowing to your tissues, which promotes healing.



- Make sure to get enough sleep every night. During sleep, your body's cells regenerate and heal from the damage of the day. Take advantage of this internal healing system, get plenty of sleep, and wake up looking and feeling refreshed. If you don't, your skin will be sure to show it.

- For an extra boost to draw any impurities out from your skin, try doing a steam treatment. You can do this by going into a sauna, or you can do a home steam treatment. The at-home treatment can be done by boiling a pot of water, then add the boiling water to a big bowl or wash basin with a little bit of lemon juice (or a few drops of your favorite therapeutic essential oil), place a towel over your head and hang your head over the bowl to inhale the steam. You can also use an herbal tea (such as chamomile tea) for this steam treatment. This will not only open up your head but it will open up the pores in your skin, which helps to get rid of impurities. Be careful not to get too close to the steam and don't let it burn your skin. After going into a sauna or doing a home steam treatment, finish off with a lukewarm face wash.

These are some excellent tips to get clear skin and if followed correctly, will put you on the path to having clear, glowing skin. Remember to see your doctor if you have any concerns. Treat your skin well, and it will treat you well!