Healthy habits can help you to achieve clearer skin that has a healthy glow. This post lists 21 habits for clear skin that you can start today!
21 Habits for Clear Skin
1. Double Cleanse Your Skin
Double cleansing means using an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup and dirt, followed by a water-based cleanser to remove any remaining impurities. This ensures that your skin is properly cleansed and free of any congestion that could lead to breakouts.
Skincare expert Caroline Hirons recommended double cleansing to ensure your skin is completely clean. If any impurities are left on the skin this could lead to blocked pores and breakouts.
2. Drink Water – 8 Glasses per day
Staying hydrated is crucial for clear skin. Drinking plenty of water helps to flush out toxins and keep your skin cells plump and hydrated. You should aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Drinking water has both direct and indirect benefits for acne. It helps to remove bacteria and toxins, which reduces the likelihood of pores becoming blocked. It also helps to reduce blood sugar levels, which may lead to clearer skin.
3. Use a Good Face Serum
A good face serum that contains active ingredients like salicylic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E or hyaluronic acid can help to improve the appearance of your skin.
Serums are more concentrated than other skincare products, so they can be more effective in treating specific concerns such as fine lines, dullness and dehydration.
If you suffer from dark spots try adding in a vitamin C serum to your skincare routine. Vitamin C helps to fade dark patches on the skin, and smooth uneven skin.
Hyaluronic acid is another good ingredient for clear skin. It helps to rehydrate and plump up the skin. Often if the skin is dehydrated it produces excess oil to compensate for the lack of water. This excess oil can then lead to blemishes and pimples.
4. Eat Plenty of Fruit and Vegetables
Eating a healthy diet is important for overall health and can also help to clear up your skin. Foods that are rich in vitamins and antioxidants help to protect your skin from damage and can improve its overall appearance.
Aim to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats. Good food habits will also help you to maintain a healthy weight.
5. Avoid Eating Sugary Foods
Sugar can cause inflammation in the body and is thought to contribute to breakouts. If you’re trying to clear your skin, it’s best to reduce your sugar intake as much as possible.
When your blood sugar rises it causes the body to release a hormone called insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). An excess of this hormone in your blood can lead to your body producing more sebum which increases the risk of acne.
Foods with a high glycemic index that could cause an increase in blood sugar include white bread, pasta and white rice. There are other foods which are surprisingly high in sugar like granola, protein bars and sports drinks. Ketchup and barbecue sauce also have a high sugar content.
6. Regularly Eat Fatty Fish
Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to help reduce inflammation. Inflammation can worsen the appearance of acne, so eating fatty fish may help to clear up your skin.
In one study 13 people with acne were given fish oil supplements for 12 weeks. At the end of the 12 weeks people who had moderate to severe acne saw an improvement in the condition of their skin.
7. Take Probiotics
Pro-biotics are live bacteria that are good for your digestive tract. They can help to improve the balance of bacteria in the gut, which is thought to be important for skin health.
There is growing evidence that having a healthy gut microbiome leads to clearer skin. Taking probiotics can help to calm inflammation in the body, and protect the skin from external damage.
8. Drink Herbal Teas
Herbal teas like chamomile and green tea are rich in antioxidants and can help to reduce inflammation. Drinking a cup or two of herbal tea each day may help to clear up your skin.
One study showed that women who supplemented with green tea extract saw a significant reduction in acne lesions. Camomile tea is also very soothing and can help to reduce redness and inflammation.
9. Avoid Too Many Dairy Products
Dairy products like milk and cheese contain hormones that can trigger breakouts. If you’re trying to clear your skin, it’s best to limit your intake of dairy products.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association cows milk may be linked to acne breakouts. One study showed that women were 44% more likely to have acne if they drank two of more glasses of milk a day.
10. Avoid Junk Food
Try to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and avoid overly processed foods, or foods high in salt or fat. These can trigger breakouts or make them worse.
Acne is strongly associated with foods that are high in calories, refined carbohydrates and fat, although more research is still needed.
11. Regularly Exfoliate Your Skin
Exfoliating your skin helps to remove dead skin cells that can build up and cause breakouts. It also allows your other skincare products to penetrate your skin more effectively. Aim to exfoliate your skin at least once a week.
Be aware however, that exfoliation can aggravate acne if it’s not done gently and correctly. Choose gentle exfoliants which contain vitamin and enzyme enhancements to protect the skin.
12. Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is important for overall health and can also help to clear up your skin. Lack of sleep can cause inflammation and can make you more susceptible to breakouts. Aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
Studies have shown that there is a relationship between poor sleep quality and acne. This might be because a lack of sleep causes stress to the body and increases cortisol levels. Cortisol can increase inflammation and sebum production which causes breakouts.
13. Use Sun Protection Every Day
Sun damage is one of the leading causes of premature ageing and can also contribute to breakouts. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy days.
Wearing sunscreen helps to protect the skin from harmful uv rays that could cause dark spots, premature wrinkles or skin cancer. Too much sun can also lead to dark patches on the skin. Ensure you always wear sunscreen when you go out.
14. Clean Your Makeup Brushes
Dirty makeup brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria which could be transferred onto your skin. Dirt from makeup brushes can cause acne or rashes on the skin. Aim to clean your brushes at least once a week.
When you are washing your brushes use a gentle clarifying shampoo, rather than soap so it won’t dry out the brush.
15. Regularly Use Face Masks
Face masks can help to deep-clean your pores and remove impurities from your skin. They can also help to hydrate and nourish your skin. Aim to use a face mask at least once a week.
There are lots of different face masks available to help detox the skin and clear the complexion. Products with kaolin clay are excellent for absorbing excess oil. You can also make your own homemade face mask for acne with ingredients like lemon and potato juice.
16. Limit Your Alcohol Intake
Alcohol can cause dehydration and can also contribute to inflammation. If you’re trying to clear your skin, it’s best to limit your alcohol intake.
Although alcohol doesn’t actually cause acne, it can affect your hormone levels. Fluctuating hormone levels can cause your oil glands to produce more sebum which can then clog your pores.
17. Don’t Smoke
Smoking can damage your skin in a number of ways and can contribute to breakouts. If you’re trying to clear your skin, it’s best to quit smoking.
One study showed a strong connection between smoking and acne. Smokers are in fact four times more likely to have acne than non-smokers. Chemicals in e-cigarettes can also lead to increased oil production in the skin, and increased risk of acne.
18. Regularly Wash Your Hair
Washing your hair regularly can help to keep your scalp clean and free of oils that can contribute to breakouts. Oily hair could cause scalp pimples, or end up making your acne worse if it touches your face.
Ensure you was your hair regularly with non-comedogenic hair products. Many hair care products, including shampoos, conditioners, and styling gels contain oils that could clog your pores, so make sure to check the ingredients.
19. Don’t Touch Your Face
Avoid touching your face throughout the day, as this can transfer bacteria from your hands to your skin and cause breakouts. If you must touch your face, make sure you wash your hands first.
If you are already prone to oily skin, touching your face can spread the oil from one part of your face to another. This may lead to clogged pores, acne and other skin problems.
20. Wash Your Face After Working Out
Working out can cause excessive sweating which could lead to a buildup of oil, dirt, and bacteria on your skin. This could then clog your pores and lead to breakouts. Aim to wash your face with a gentle cleanser within 30 minutes of finishing your activity.
21. Manage Your Stress Levels
Stress can cause inflammation in the body and can make you more susceptible to breakouts. If you’re trying to clear your skin, it’s important to find ways to manage stress.
Regularly working to reduce your stress is one of the most important habits you could start for clear skin. When you are stressed, your stress hormones rise which leads to your oil glands producing more oil. This can then trigger breakouts.
Habits for Clear Skin
Thank you for reading my 21 habits for clear skin. Anyone can achieve healthy skin with the right habits and skin care routine. If you have any further tips on how to get clear and radiant skin, or know any other habits for clear skin, please leave a comment below.