How To Get Clear And Healthy Skin

Skin looking clear and luminous? Yep, us neither.

While you might assume that summer is when your complexion is meant to play ball, thanks to warm temperatures and relaxing holidays, the reality is that between stress, pollution, sweat, pore-clogging fake tan and cocktail fuelled evenings, there's every chance that your face is facing more acne than normal.

When it comes to how to get clear skin, the cocktail is often less clear cut than you might think.

To get the inside track on banishing breakouts, WH sat down with dermatologists, nutritionists and cosmetologists to find out exactly how to get clear skin and how to maintain it. Think of this as your ultimate guide to skin clarity.

So, what causes acne?

Firstly, you need to be aware of what causes breakouts in the first place. These factors, whether combined or on their own, are the biggest culprits when it comes to preventing clear skin.

Hormonal fluctuations - these could be triggered by the various stages of your menstrual cycle or going into perimenopause
Hair follicles clogged by oil and dead skin cells
Stripping oils with harsh skincare products
Stress
In a small group of people, dairy products can contribute to acne
Germs from your phone and pillowcase
Friction and rubbing from bedsheets
Changing skincare products regularly or introducing more than one new skincare product at a time
Using old cosmetics and unclean brushes

How to get clear skin, naturally

1. Don't Overdo It

When it comes to how to get clear skin, you need to use a gentle face wash that won't upset the pH balance of your skin. 'As soon as an individual has a breakout, there is a tendency to obsess about skin cleansing', says Dr Justine Hextall, FRCP Consultant Dermatologist.

'By the time I see acne patients they're often suffering more because of harsh cleansing routines, rather than the original problem. Think less is more. If your skin feels tight after washing your face or putting on a mask, then you have probably stripped off your natural oils and unbalanced the pH of your skin'.

Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk

REN CLEAN SKINCARE cultbeauty.co.uk

£23.00

2. Opt for Oil-Free

'I swear by oil-free cleansers for keeping my skin clear, because they don't clog my pores or cause those under-the-skin bumps along my jawline,' says WH Beauty Editor, Perdita Nouril.

'If I'm feeling flush I'll splash out on Tata Harper Clarifying Cleanser, £63. It removes every last ounce of London grime without stripping my skin – and you really don't need very much for it to be effective.

Clarifying Cleanser

Tata Harper cultbeauty.co.uk

£66.00

If I'm on a budget, the Cerave Hydrating Cleanser, £9.49, does an admirable job of removing make-up, stubborn SPF and daily grime. It's a great one for the gym bag.'

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser 236ml

CeraVe superdrug.com

£9.49

3. Exfoliate

Most of the time, breakouts occur due to a combination of dead skin cells and natural oils mixing together to create a plug that clogs your pores. By getting rid of these dead skin cells, you eliminate this opportunity.

However, harsh exfoliators can lead to irritated skin and micro tears, which are more susceptible to bacteria, so try switching to an enzyme or acid-based exfoliant instead. These might sound scary, but they're actually a lot more gentle on your skin than rough, grainy exfoliators.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 240ml

The Ordinary lookfantastic.com

£6.80

How to get clear skin, overnight

While there's no magic potion that's going to give you crystal clear skin overnight, these nightly rituals can help you along your way.

 4. Get Some Downtime

Cells that produce sebum have receptors for stress hormones, so when you're stressed, you produce more sebum, increasing the chance of clogging your pores.

In addition to this, when we experience stress, our adrenal gland goes into overdrive and increases our androgens (male hormones). Higher androgen levels can lead to more acne.

Take out ten minutes for meditation, or if you do want to throw in a product, give yourself a relaxing face mask.

Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask to Rescue Problem Skin

Origins lookfantastic.com

£19.20

 5. Practice Facial Massage

Advocates of the ancient Chinese practice of Qi/Chi stimulating massage, as well as of reflexology therapy, believe that by pressing certain points of the body, acne can be reduced.

According to these philosophies, the body consists of energy centres or energy meridians which are responsible for our overall health and wellness.

By manipulating these meridians, some claim, you're able to make the energy flow normally again and restore your skin's balance. Plus, you'll promote blood flow and increase circulation, which will feed your skin.

If you do want to add a product into your massage routine, 'massage an anti-oxidant oil in your skin at night to de-stress your skin, whilst ensuring excellent hydration and that all-important wind-down before sleep', says Dr Hextall.

DECLÉOR Aromessence Neroli Amara Serum

DECLEOR lookfantastic.com

£52.00

6. Invest in Salicylic acid

Ask any derm or aesthetician and they will tell you that arming yourself with salicylic gives your skin a fighting chance against breakouts. This is because its the only acid that can infiltrate the pore lining to blitz away dirt and sebum.

Megan Markle's facialist, Kate Somerville, advises that if you want to banish breakouts quickly then it's a good idea to combine her Oil Free Moisturiser with EradiKate Salicylic Acid Treatment. 'I mix them together and apply at night over the skin to prevent any breakouts and also dry up any existing breakouts,' she says.

EradiKate Salicylic Acid Blemish Treatment

Kate Somerville cultbeauty.co.uk

£52.00

What to drink to get clear skin

 7. Stay Hydrated

If you want to know how to get clear skin, you need to know that drinking water is key. When you don't hydrate, it will manifest in tight, dry, flaky skin. As you know from before, dry, flaky skin is not your friend and when mixed with the natural oils in your skin, will most likely lead to a spot.

Dopper Insulated Drinks Bottle, 350ml, Steamy Pink

Dopper johnlewis.com

£14.00

Aim to consume around two litres of water a day. As well as a good old glass of H2O, you can get your intake from eating vegetables, which also helps with absorption, so try to mix it up.

What to eat to get clear skin

8. Eat a Rainbow

A skin-friendly diet should focus on the below.

the mineral zinc - find this in pumpkin seeds
yellow and orange fruits and vegetables such as carrots, apricots, and sweet potatoes
spinach and other dark green, leafy vegetables
tomatoes
blueberries
whole-wheat bread
brown rice
quinoa
turkey
pumpkin seeds
beans, peas, and lentils
salmon, mackerel, and other kinds of fatty fish
nuts

Some studies suggest that adding probiotics to your daily diet might help with decongesting your skin. A Korean study of 56 acne patients found that drinking a lactobacillus-fermented dairy beverage reduced their acne lesion count and decreased oil production, so try incorporating this into your breakfast ritual.

What helps to get clear skin

 9. Don't Use Piping Hot Water

Does your skin feel itchy when you get out of the shower? If it does, your water is too hot. Not only can this lead to uneven skin tone, but it can also result in dry, flaky skin.

'The hotter the shower (or bath) the more the water will remove natural skin oil and dry your skin out', says Dr Hextall. Avoid this problem by washing your face with lukewarm water.

 10. Look at Labels

You should know what you're putting on your face, but that's not always the case. What's worse, a lot of skincare and makeup products out there contain highly comedogenic ingredients, meaning they clog your pores.

Try to steer clear of petroleum and petroleum byproducts, like silicone and dimethicone. And instead look for calming anti-inflammatory ingredients like calendula, chamomile, clay and niacinamide to soothe irritated red skin.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clay Mask 100ml

La Roche-Posay lookfantastic.com

£14.00

 11. Wear SPF

In a recent study published in the journal Dermatologic Surgery, it was found that sun cream not only protects your skin from sun damage, it can also reverse the signs of photo-ageing, like wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.

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The study, sponsored by the Johnson & Johnson's Skin Research Centre and led by dermatologists Steven Wang and James Leyden, showed improvements in the many signs of ageing caused by the sun. This included things like texture, overall tone, and fine lines.

Participants who applied a moisturiser containing SPF 30, saw improvements of 52 percent in mottled pigmentation, 40 percent in skin texture, and 41 percent in skin clarity after one year of use.

So if you're using sun cream on holiday, you're partly there. But, you should really be applying it every day. Even on the days when it seems like the sun doesn't even exist. Because it does. Always.

Bioderma Photoderm Max Aquafluid Light Tint SPF50+ 40ml

Bioderma lookfantastic.com

£14.50

12. Treat Yourself

Don't underestimate the power of a professional. The French make a point of visiting the dermatologist regularly and are encouraged to do so as soon as they hit puberty. It then becomes a ritual.

'While you can perform many aspects of a facial at home, there are certain steps that only a professional can do to a standard that are beneficial and which can't be performed at home', says Pamela Kennedy, Owner of Seduire London Skincare and Laser Clinic.

'For example, professional extraction can leave scarring if done incorrectly. We also know that exfoliation is a vital component of a skincare regime to ensure clearer skin, therefore professional treatments, which include microdermabrasion, are unbeatable when you compare them to home exfoliation creams and scrubs.'

Try the Caci Synergy Purifying Facial (available nationwide). It combines anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory red and blue LED light therapy to help heal the skin and trigger tissue repair, followed by ultrasonic peeling, or controlled orbital microdermabrasion, to exfoliate the skin and reveal a brighter, smoother complexion.

13. Blitz Bacteria

Combat whiteheads by fighting bacteria. Benzoyl peroxide is the most effective over-the-counter ingredient for actually treating acne. Tea tree oil is another great alternative, with research showing that 5% tea-tree oil has results comparable to 5% benzoyl peroxide.

To maintain clear pores exfoliate with glycolic or salicylic acid based face washes, which deeply cleanse inside the hair follicle. 'Don't forget moisturiser after you exfoliate', says Dr Hextall. 'A gentle lotion is very important to keep skin hydrated especially if topical benzoyl peroxide and/or a retinoid are being applied for acne.'

Try this anti-acne serum that uses salicylic acid to cleanse and thyme leaf extract to soothe the skin.

Anti Acne Serum

Mario Badescu beautybay.com

US$20.00

14. Use a Strip

Eliminate blackheads by loosening the plug before applying a pore strip. Unlike whiteheads, which are closed on the surface, blackheads are open and it's the oil being exposed to air that causes the black spot appearance.

The good news is, once you loosen the 'wax' plug, it's relatively easy to get rid of them. Malic, glycolic, lactic and salicylic acid will work best at loosening the plug, before you can then go in with a more traditional pore strip.

Salicylic Acid Cleanser

THE INKEY LIST cultbeauty.co.uk

£10.99

15. Try Some Yoga (yep, really)

Chatty Dobson, Yoga Teacher & Owner of FLEX Chelsea says that 'putting yourself into an inverted position makes it easier for fresh oxygenated blood to flow to your head, including your scalp and face skin. This increased flow of oxygen & circulation boost in your face can result in healthy & glowing skin. Additionally, hanging upside down also helps remove visual signs of toxicity, including spots.'

A-Listers such as Bradley Cooper & Eva Mendes use an inversion contraption every morning (it also helps support back pain/ posture). Eva Mendes swears by it and says that inverting in a shallow angle for 20 minutes at a time works wonders for her skin.

£18.99

Lions Non-Slip Yoga Mat

£26.99

Eco Friendly Yoga Mat

Teal, Turquoise, Aqua, Household supply, Cylinder, Loudspeaker,

£40

Sweaty Betty Eco Yoga Mat

SHOP

£48

Lululemon Reversible Yoga Mat 3mm

16. Get Rid of Marks

Lighten dark spots with ingredients rich in vitamin A and vitamin C. Look for things like liquorice root extract, niacinamide, soy, and retinoid when battling dark spots.

However, the most common issue with many lightening agents is that they can irritate your skin, so start with one application weekly and build up as your skin allows.

Try the Peter Thomas Roth De-Spot Skin Brightening Corrector, for a targeted approach.

Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Targeted Spot Brightener

Peter Thomas Roth lookfantastic.com

£50.00

17. Respect your microbiome

A growing number of skincare experts believe that a rise in skin conditions such as acne it's down to the disruption of our skin's microbiome, a community of billions of bacteria that live on your face.

Enter Gladskin, a new range that has been developed specifically for those suffering from skin conditions using a scientific understanding of the skin's microbiome. This hero gel contains the active ingredient Staphefekt, an enzyme that selectively kills the bad bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), whilst leaving the good bacteria unharmed. Genius.

Acne Gel

Gladskin gladskin.co.uk

£16.50

Perdita Nouril Perdita Nouril is the Beauty Editor for Women's Health UK.

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