Published: August 30, 2024
Whether you’re struggling with acne, blemishes, flaky patches, or anything else, clear skin can, for some, feel completely unattainable. The good news is that no matter the skin problems you may be dealing with, clear skin is an achievable goal for everyone, so long as you’re utilizing the right knowledge and techniques.
Where should you begin in your quest for clear skin? That’s exactly what CBGärdN is here to help with! Here are some expert-approved tips and tricks that will soon have you sporting a clear complexion and a radiant glow that you can truly be proud of.
Give Double Cleansing a Try
Hopefully, you’re already cleansing your skin twice a day. If not, then start there! Cleansing away all of the dirt, bacteria, excess sebum, and other impurities that build up on your skin is vital if you’re hoping for a clear and bright complexion.
If your regular cleansing regimen doesn’t seem to be making a difference, consider double cleansing in the evenings. This involves using two different cleansers. The first should be an oil-based cleanser to tackle oil-based impurities, like SPF and sebum. This should be followed by a water-based cleanser, like the CB Facial Cleanser, to eliminate dirt, sweat, and more. Two cleansers are far more efficient than one, especially when you use both an oil-based and a water-based cleanser. This results in a much more thorough cleanse and, therefore, skin that looks clearer and fresher.
Keep Your Pores Clear and Clog-Free
Clogged pores are a big obstacle to clear skin. Even if you double cleanse, your pores can still end up clogged, especially if you have oily skin. The subsequent breakouts that you’ll have to deal with can feel like a huge setback.
To prevent this, make sure that you’re keeping your pores clear and blockage-free. How? Firstly, by exfoliating two or three times a week. Of course, over-exfoliation can have the opposite effect, so stick with a gentle exfoliator. The CBGärdN CB Microexfoliant Peel would be perfect for this!
Clay face masks, like the CB Purifying Heating Mask, can also be an excellent way to draw out blockages from pores. This mask is particularly beneficial because of its thermal properties. The warmth that it releases encourages an even deeper cleanse and a more rejuvenated complexion.
Focus on Hydration
If you’re hoping for clear skin that looks fresh and dewy, adequate hydration is essential. After all, without enough water, your skin cells won’t be able to function properly. Rather than looking full and plump, they’ll take on a shriveled and deflated appearance. A lack of hydration can also stimulate the skin’s sebaceous glands to produce more oil. This then leads to an increase in clogged pores and breakouts.
What’s the best way to hydrate your skin? By applying multiple layers of hydration. Sure, a single hydrating product would be better than none at all but, for maximum benefits, try sandwiching your hydrating ingredients. Start with a hydrating toner, like the CB Facial Toner. Then, use a hydrating serum before finishing with a hydrating moisturizer. This will help to push all of those hydrating ingredients deeper into your complexion, giving you a radiant glow.
Protect Your Skin From the Sun
If clear skin is your aim, sun damage needs to be avoided as much as possible. This can affect the skin in a few different ways, some of which you’re likely already aware of. Between dark spots, redness and blotchiness, inflammation and breakouts, and wrinkles, not to mention skin cancer, the sun will work against you in so many ways in your quest for clear skin.
The first step in protecting your skin from the appearance of sun damage is to find a good sunscreen. If you’re not a fan of the conventional sunscreen formulas out there, consider an SPF moisturizer instead. A product like the CB Multi-Active Moisturizer With SPF 30 is more lightweight in nature. This means that it spreads easily and absorbs quickly, without leaving a white cast on the skin.
You should also try to avoid being out in the sun during the hottest hours of the day. These are usually between 11 am and 3 pm, although this depends on your location. This tends to be when UV rays are at their strongest and most damaging.
Additional sun protection measures, such as wearing large sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat, will also help to shield your skin from UV rays.
Use Skincare That’s Suitable for Your Skin Type
While a skincare routine can really help when it comes to achieving a clear complexion, this only holds true if you’re using the right products. Go with formulas that aren’t suitable for your skin type and you’ll only end up exacerbating your existing skin concerns.
Say, for example, you have oily skin. The products that you use should be lightweight and non-comedogenic to avoid clogging your pores and contributing to breakouts. However, if you use products designed for dry skin, they’ll have the opposite effect.
Even if you’re confident that you know what your skin type is, it would be wise to keep reassessing this. Skin types can change as you progress through life. You could be using oily skin products on your oily skin only to realize later that your skin type isn’t actually oily anymore.
Know What’s in Your Hair Care Products
If you have oily skin, then there’s a good chance that you’ll also have an oily scalp. This can often encourage people to wash their hair more often in an attempt to prevent that oil from spreading onto the face and clogging up pores.
While this can be beneficial, you need to be careful about the hair care products you use. Certain ingredients are popular in shampoos, conditioners, and other hair care products, yet aren’t great when they come into contact with the skin on your face or body. Sure, you may only be applying these products to your hair but when you rinse them off, the runoff will come into contact with your skin. This may not seem like a big deal but it’s enough to cause clogged pores and irritation.
To avoid this, make sure that your hair care products, just like your skincare products, are non-comedogenic. They should also contain non-irritating ingredients as anything that causes inflammation in your skin will only lead to breakouts.
Keep Your Towels and Bedding Clean
We’ve already talked about how important it is to keep your skin clean if you’re hoping for a clearer complexion. However, in addition to cleansing, you should also be trying to cut down on how much dirt and bacteria your skin comes into contact with at other times.
This means paying extra attention to cleanliness when it comes to your towels and your bedding. Your skin touches those items every day and if they’re unclean, all of those impurities will quickly transfer over onto your previously clean skin.
If you find that your skin concerns flare up in the mornings or after you’ve showered, this could be an easy way to achieve clearer-looking skin. With that said, make sure that your laundry detergent is gentle and non-irritating as many of those cleansing agents can cause inflammation in the skin.
Get Plenty of Sleep
People tend to underestimate the importance of beauty sleep. However, without this, clear skin will more than likely be an impossibility.
How so? Because once you drift off at night, your skin kicks it up a notch when it comes to repairing daily damage and creating new cells. A good night’s sleep can truly revive your complexion. Likewise, skipping out on that all-important sleep will have the opposite effect. Even a small amount of sleep deprivation can cause everything from breakouts to flaky, dry patches.
To help your skin make the most of your beauty sleep, make sure that you have plenty of antioxidants in your evening skincare routine. Products like the CB Midnight Melting Mask and the CB Night Renewing Creme make this easy!
Stop Stressing So Much
Did you know that stress can directly affect how clear and radiant your skin looks? It all comes down to cortisol, which is the hormone that your body produces whenever you’re stressed. In small amounts, it can be beneficial. However, if stress is a regular part of your life, this really isn’t doing your skin any favors. All of that cortisol can lead to everything from increased oil production and acne breakouts to dehydration, flaky patches, and redness. Whatever your stress-related skin problems may be, they definitely aren’t going to give you the clear skin you’re seeking!
Of course, “stop stressing” is easier said than done. However, there are plenty of stress relief techniques that you can try, some of which are bound to be effective. Put together a list of go-to’s that you can turn to whenever you’re stressed, be it journaling, exercising, listening to calming music, or anything else, and you’ll find it much easier to keep your stress levels under control. Your skin, as a result of this, should start to look clearer and brighter.
Eat the Right Foods
Have you ever heard the phrase ‘you are what you eat’? This couldn’t be more true when it comes to clear skin. If you’re hoping for a healthy and happy complexion, you need to be feeding your skin from within with fresh produce, lean proteins, whole grains, and nuts/seeds. These are the foods that will give you the clear skin you’re hoping for.
On the other hand, if your diet is full of processed junk foods, sugars, and sodas, you’ll only end up with more inflammation in your body, and, therefore, your skin. Making just a few small dietary changes could have a huge impact on your complexion!
Summary
If you’ve been struggling to achieve skin that looks bright, clear, and radiant, the tips above will put you on the right track. Be consistent when it comes to following them and it won’t be long before you notice some big changes in your complexion!
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