Achieve clear skin with these 10 tips

This Post contains affiliate links, please read my disclaimer for more info. I only post about products I trust.

The skin on our face is a finicky thing.

I shudder when I look at old photos of my cystic acne with cheap cover girl foundation caked over the top.

I was hopeless before I dove into the world of skincare. And boy did I really really dive in- I got a credit line just to buy products to see what would work. I do not recommend doing this, but I was in college, struggling with self esteem, and completely desperate. People had begin to make comments about my acne and as an insecure 20 year old, I based a lot of my self worth on what my face looked like.

Fast forward, I had accumulated $800 in debt and had an arsenal of face products. I was doing a 15 step skin care routine and my skin was literally peeling off. I was overdoing it. Here is what I learned on this adventure, and the products I now swear by to keep my skin looking clear and dewy.

1. Don’t overdo it

You don’t need to put a million things on your skin to clear it up, you need to find quality products with the essential ingredients. When you hit 30 it might be time to introduce vitamin C and retinol to your routine, but if you are young and worried about acne you should focus on other products.

2. Stay away from products containing alcohol.

Stop using products with alcohol that dry out your skin. I cannot stress this enough, dry skin will cause acne and make your makeup look awful. When we dry out our skin and we mess up the moisture barrier and this can wreak havoc on our face. Your skin will produce oil if you strip if of the natural stuff.

3. Use a two step cleansing process

If you wear makeup, chances are your cleanser is leaving residue behind. Use an oil cleanser first (sounds scary, but there is science behind this), wipe clean with a face towel, and follow with a gentle cleanser. Oil cleanser breaks down makeup much better than soap. I always follow with another cleanser because I don’t like the feeling of any oil left on my skin. I use DHC Oil cleanser and Purity by Philosophy. Both I have used for years and have made a huge difference in my skin.

4. Use a serum.

Find a serum for your needs. I like having dewy hydrated skin, so I use a hyaluronic acid from Paula’s Choice. Anything from there is great- you can read her testimonials and her research on her website.

5. Use a leave on exfoliant.

Anything you use to wash your face will not be on your skin long enough to do it’s full job. It might be refreshing and feel good on your skin, but that’s likely all it’s doing. Use a leave-on product with BHA or AHA, which will work deep into your skin to address enlarged pores, acne, and even redness.

6. My holy grail product. LALA RETRO.

It’s expensive, but I swear by this. I have tried other products because well, ouch my poor wallet sometimes, but every time– I break out or get a rash. The texture is luxurious and makes my skin look dewy and never dry. I used to not be able to wear foundation because my skin was so flakey but then I discovered this. Drunk elephant produces amazing products, and I have tried their all their minis and their peptide lotion. Highly recommend the other lotion as well, but I find it just a little less hydrating.

7. Learn to love a good face water.

I take it with me on trips and even keep one in my purse as a pick me up. I also like to spray my face after I wash it, so the hyaluronic acid serum has moisture to grip to when I put it on. If you put hyaluronic acid on dry skin, it can actually pull moisture out of your skin. I alternate between just regular spring water and rose water. Either are good, just avoid ones with alcohol or witch hazel because it can dry out your skin.

8. Use a silicon face scrubber

This provides a gentle yet exfoliating cleanse. Make sure you only use this with your face wash on a makeup free face otherwise you are just rubbing makeup into your poor pores. I have a Foreo, but you can get amazon dupes for much less.

9. DRINK WATER.

You need to stay hydrated inside for your skin to look it’s best. My goal is to drink around 120 oz of water a day. This flask is my go-to because it keeps my drinks cold, is less expensive than a hydro, and it’s cute! I carry it with me wherever I go and sip on it constantly. Drinking a lot of water makes such a difference and even helps you feel more energized throughout the day.

10. Use Sunscreen even when it’s not sunny

Sunscreen will save your skin. It doesn’t matter the season, you should always apply a face SPF after moisturizing in the morning. This protects your skin from free radicals which break down the collagen in your skin. Without sunscreen, you can almost guarantee to see early wrinkling.