We all want to have clear skin. But with thousands of skincare products devoted to fighting breakouts, we often forget that we can get similar effects by natural means. If you’re tired of experimenting with different acne medications, try these methods to get clear skin naturally.
Get into a Face-Washing Routine
Washing your face on a regular basis is the key to clearing up your skin and keeping it that way. Get into the habit of washing away the day’s dirt and sweat to clear up your skin. When developing this routine, be sure to wash your face both after you wake up in the morning and before you go to bed at night. This will ensure that you’re consistently removing harmful bacteria without over-washing or drying out your skin.
When you’re washing your face, gently scrub your skin for approximately 40 seconds to ensure that you’re reaching every spot you can. If you find that hand-washing isn’t doing enough, you can also use a soft-bristled brush to get the soap deeper into your pores. One of the most important parts of this process to remember is to rinse thoroughly. Though your skin may feel clean on the surface, soap can still be trapped in your pores and contribute to more acne.
Adopt a Healthy Diet
An unhealthy diet is one of the leading causes of breakouts. Consuming greasy and fatty foods can make your skin oilier, creating the perfect environment for bacteria to multiply. To fight this bacteria and the breakouts that come along with it, incorporate a diet of natural sugars and oils into your lifestyle. This diet often consists of leafy greens such as spinach and lettuce; broccoli; tomatoes; foods with omega 3 fatty acids such as salmon and walnuts; and antioxidant-rich foods such as blueberries and strawberries.
Along with eating healthier, it’s also crucial that you keep your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Water helps your body flush out any contaminants that allow bacteria to thrive. Staying hydrated will allow you to generate sweat and clear your pores of the harmful bacteria. It’s also essential to a variety of other bodily functions, so be sure to find ways to drink more water daily.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Rest allows our bodies to recuperate and reenergize after a long day, and it has the same effect on our skin. Creating a regular, eight-hour sleep schedule will go a long way in ensuring that you’re well-rested each morning and that your skin is just as rejuvenated as you are.
Because sleep is so important to your health, it’s also important that you take the time to regularly wash your sheets. Like many of the other surfaces you use, your bedsheets can collect dirt and oils from your skin. This is especially true of your pillowcases. Change and wash your sheets at least once a month to get rid of that excess bacteria and sleep easy each night.
Manage Your Stress
Stress can weaken your body’s immune system, making you susceptible to a variety of illnesses. Individuals often tend to break out during stressful times. To help manage your stress and get your hormones under control, be sure to fit quality relaxation time into your schedule. Additionally, exercising can also help you relieve pent-up stress and keep you healthy while you’re at it.
