When it comes to skin, no amount of cosmetics or concealer can really take the place of healthy, clear skin. Some of the most beautiful makeup looks incorporate fresh, glowing skin and lighter or translucent foundation. Such looks aren’t really an option without clear skin underneath. Heavier makeup can be great for a photo shoot or a special event, but no one wants to be forced to cake on that much makeup every single day.

If you struggle with problem skin, or if you simply want to maintain clear skin consistently, you can begin to clear up any problems by incorporating proper clear skin tips into your daily skin care regimen.

Essential steps to clear skin:

photo credit: _HAAF_

1. As part of your clear skin routine, cleanse twice daily using a gentle but effective facial cleanser. Don’t use regular body bar soap, since they actually tend to lead to more problems (dryness, tightness and signs of aging). Also, don’t wash your face too frequently – dryness and irritation will result, leading to more problems. Simply cleanse your skin using an acne-preventative cleanser for the face. After washing your face, use a high quality facial toner. As the final step in your routine, use an oil-free facial moisturizer. Brands such as Dove, Cetaphil and Neutrogena are just a few brands that have affordable skin care lines with quality products. Be gentle and try a few different brands until you find the right one for you. When trying a new brand, allow several days to a week to see if you notice improvement, before giving up and switching to a new one.

2. Try acne treatments with key ingredients, until you find the one that works best on your skin. Use the product all over your face if appropriate – don’t just “spot treat.” If one works, don’t just use it until your skin is clear. Use of the product should continue as a preventative measure, or your acne will most likely return. Look for some of these common effective ingredients in your product:

- Salicylic Acid: slows abnormal skin cell shedding (that clogs pores and creates pimples) and unclogs pores
- Alcohol combined with Acetone: the acetone degreases and the alcohol kills bacteria
- Benzoyl Peroxide: reduces the bacteria in acne and removes excess dead skin cells that clog pores
- Resorcinol: often combined with sulfur (has a strong and distinct odor), controls acne lesions

3. Keep your hair clean and out of your face, and also try not to touch your face too often. Both your hair and hands carry oils and bacteria that can add to current skin problems and also cause new ones.

Remember, the right kind of skin care regimen is the answer to treating and preventing problem skin. With attention and discipline, most people can obtain beautifully clear, creamy skin. Since healthy clear skin is one of the most desired beauty essentials, your efforts will be more than worth it.

If your breakouts do not improve or go away by following upon these tips for clear skin, you may need to get an appointment with your dermatologist or family doctor for a clear skin solution. They may be able to give you further help or medications designed for more serious acne issues.

When it comes to skin, no amount of cosmetics or concealer can really take the place of healthy, clear skin. Some of the most beautiful makeup looks incorporate fresh, glowing skin and lighter or translucent foundation. Such looks aren’t really an option without clear skin underneath. Heavier makeup can be great for a photo shoot or a special event, but no one wants to be forced to cake on that much makeup every single day.

If you struggle with problem skin, or if you simply want to maintain clear skin consistently, you can begin to clear up any problems by incorporating proper clear skin tips into your daily skin care regimen.

Essential steps to clear skin:

photo credit: _HAAF_

1. As part of your clear skin routine, cleanse twice daily using a gentle but effective facial cleanser. Don’t use regular body bar soap, since they actually tend to lead to more problems (dryness, tightness and signs of aging). Also, don’t wash your face too frequently – dryness and irritation will result, leading to more problems. Simply cleanse your skin using an acne-preventative cleanser for the face. After washing your face, use a high quality facial toner. As the final step in your routine, use an oil-free facial moisturizer. Brands such as Dove, Cetaphil and Neutrogena are just a few brands that have affordable skin care lines with quality products. Be gentle and try a few different brands until you find the right one for you. When trying a new brand, allow several days to a week to see if you notice improvement, before giving up and switching to a new one.

2. Try acne treatments with key ingredients, until you find the one that works best on your skin. Use the product all over your face if appropriate – don’t just “spot treat.” If one works, don’t just use it until your skin is clear. Use of the product should continue as a preventative measure, or your acne will most likely return. Look for some of these common effective ingredients in your product:

- Salicylic Acid: slows abnormal skin cell shedding (that clogs pores and creates pimples) and unclogs pores
- Alcohol combined with Acetone: the acetone degreases and the alcohol kills bacteria
- Benzoyl Peroxide: reduces the bacteria in acne and removes excess dead skin cells that clog pores
- Resorcinol: often combined with sulfur (has a strong and distinct odor), controls acne lesions

3. Keep your hair clean and out of your face, and also try not to touch your face too often. Both your hair and hands carry oils and bacteria that can add to current skin problems and also cause new ones.

Remember, the right kind of skin care regimen is the answer to treating and preventing problem skin. With attention and discipline, most people can obtain beautifully clear, creamy skin. Since healthy clear skin is one of the most desired beauty essentials, your efforts will be more than worth it.

If your breakouts do not improve or go away by following upon these tips for clear skin, you may need to get an appointment with your dermatologist or family doctor for a clear skin solution. They may be able to give you further help or medications designed for more serious acne issues.

Attention beauties: Never underestimate the importance of getting enough sleep! Getting adequate sleep plays a crucial role in not just your mental functions, but in your physical appearance as well. The amount of sleep you are typically getting is displayed in your general appearance, your weight, your skin and also your stress levels. Don’t write off the phrase “beauty sleep” as a simple cliche. It holds far more truth than most people know.

SKIN:

Sleeping gives your body a chance to repair itself on the cellular level. As you sleep, extra protein molecules are produced to rid your skin of pollutants and infections while they simultaneously rebuild the cells that allow you to wake up refreshed with radiant skin. Think of the days you don’t get enough sleep. You pull yourself up with puffy, bloodshot eyes surrounded by dark circles. You don’t get the necessary sleep to allow the molecules to repair yesterday’s damage. Getting the right amount of sleep is the proven “anti aging” miracle we all dream of.

WEIGHT:

Now you can stop feeling guilty when you go to bed early and skip your daily workout because proper sleeping habits can help control your body weight. When you sleep, the hormones that regulate your appetite are placed back in control, possibly ridding your thoughts of those nasty cravings. When you deprive your body of sleep, your body naturally craves sugar and carbohydrates as a defense mechanism to jolt you awake. For those of you who can’t seem to shed those last five pounds, try hitting the hay an hour early.

STRESS:

Of course, the best way to feel beautiful is to not feel stressed. Stress hormones are released during the day as a result of today’s fast paced lifestyle. These hormones have physical effects on the body as well. Excessive stress is a common cause of the degeneration of internal organs as well as the aging of your skin (aka: wrinkles!). Sleep helps to reverse many of these effects as it maintains a state of relaxation.

OVERALL HEALTH:

The average adult needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, but it varies depending on the individual. Not getting enough sleep results in a whole bunch of problems, but too much sleep also makes it more difficult for your body to enter back into its functioning mode.

photo credit: Eden in China

How much an individual needs is dependent on many factors. Here are some things to keep in mind: Women often require an extra hour in the week before they begin menstruating and during pregnancy. Genetics also play a part in determining your specific needs. The amount of time it takes your body to reach the phase of deep sleep where the benefits are received is often hereditary.

The best way to find out what works best for you is to take into consideration your individual situation based on the criteria above. And then, experiment. If you often feel groggy, try going to bed earlier. If you habitually go to sleep early, sleep late, and still wake up unrested, try staying up an hour later. While “beauty sleep” is often used in regards to women’s needs, it is vital for everyone. Get your sleep and you will wake up energized, beautiful, and healthier.

We just adore Dr. Amy Wechsler’s book, The Mind-Beauty Connection: 9 Days to Less Stress, Gorgeous Skin, and a Whole New You. As a dermatologist AND psychiatrist, Dr. Wechsler understands the connection between our stress levels and our skin. Her book shows you how to minimize stress, simplify your life and look younger. Excessive stress literally causes you to age more quickly. It has an immediate effect on the condition of your skin and over time, will actually cause you to look older than other women your age.

In her book, Dr. Wechsler discusses how to reverse stress aging. She explains the importance of managing and reducing cortisol, a substance in your body that breaks down collagen and causes wrinkles. She shows you a simple nine-step plan: Simplify (simplifying your skin care regimen and other parts of your life), Relax, Go Green (the cortisol reducing benefits of nature), Eat Clean (eliminating some of the junk), Make a Move (exercise), Foster Friendships (the importance of emotional care and healing), Pamper Yourself (my favorite), Sleep In Beauty (getting your beauty sleep and letting your wrinkles heal), and Reflection (a before and after skin age test). She discusses why each step is important, helps you to understand the benefits, and explains the parameters of each (how much sleep or exercise you need, etc). She also shows you the different ways you can incorporate each one into your busy life. Here’s to better skin and less stress!!

Here is a clip of The Today Show’s feature of Dr. Wechsler and The Mind-Body Connection: