How to Make Your Skin Clear

• Step 1

  Use a mild skin cleanser. Work the lather in a circular motion as you wash your face, neck, shoulders and any other problem areas.

• Step 2

  Shave, whenever possible, with a multi-blade razor. If you must use a disposable or single-blade razor, do not reuse the same one. Going over the same area more than once or not using enough shaving cream or gel is likely to irritate your breakouts and create new ones.

• Step 3

  Use an exfoliating scrub or rinse that contains 1 or 2 percent salicylic acid. If your skin is overly sensitive to this ingredient, opt for a product containing 8 percent alpha hydroxy acid. Use your hands to gently distribute the product over your skin. Exfoliate three to five days a week to unclog pores and remove blackheads.

• Step 4

  Give your skin several minutes to air dry. If you do not have enough time to do so, pat your face with a clean towel. Contact between the towel and your skin should be minimal.

• Step 5

  Apply a disinfecting product containing benzoyl peroxide following exfoliation. Ideally, the product should have a benzoyl peroxide concentration of approximately 2 1/2 percent. Higher concentrations may irritate your skin. Use your finger to dab, as opposed to rub, the product onto your skin until it absorbs.

• Step 6

  Follow with moisturizer, which will balance out the drying effect of the salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Choose a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer that will not clog. As with the disinfecting treatment, gently pat the moisturizer onto the skin using your fingers. Wait until the moisturizer absorbs completely before applying makeup or other skin products.

• Step 7

  Apply an overnight oil-absorbing product before bedtime if your skin is particularly oily. Such treatments will decrease the sebaceous glands' oil production, which tends to increase during sleep due to hormonal surges.

• Step 8

  Stick to a diet consisting of items with a low glycemic index rating (see Resources). Avoid high-glycemic items such as French fries and sugar-loaded candy while increasing your intake of lean protein.

• Step 9

  Drink as much water as you can throughout the day.

• 2
• Mild skin cleanser Multi-blade razor Shaving cream or gel Exfoliating scrub or rinse Clean towel Disinfecting skin product Non-comedogenic moisturizer Overnight oil-absorbing cream Low-glycemic foods Water
• Mild skin cleanser
• Multi-blade razor
• Shaving cream or gel
• Exfoliating scrub or rinse
• Clean towel
• Disinfecting skin product
• Non-comedogenic moisturizer
• Overnight oil-absorbing cream
• Low-glycemic foods
• Water
• Benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabrics. Keep products containing this ingredient away from clothing and other fabrics.
• Benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabrics. Keep products containing this ingredient away from clothing and other fabrics.

References & Resources

• Anti acne skin care regimen
• Skin tips
• Nutrition and skin care
• Glycemic index