Clear Skin Diets and Tips

Maintaining a clear complexion is not always an easy task, especially if you have acne-prone skin. Taking care of your skin is all about balancing a variety of habits and making sure you remain consistent. Complete skin care isn’t only about finding the right acne treatment, although that is an important part of keeping your face looking fresh and vibrant. From your gym habits and eating behaviors to sleeping patterns and makeup proclivities, learning how to properly care for your skin is more than a one-step process.

Your Makeup Routine :

While makeup doesn’t necessarily cause acne, it can definitely play a role in your skin’s health and appearance. Many who struggle with acne use makeup to cover up dark marks, pimples, and scars, but could this practice be worsening your acne condition? Not necessarily, but use caution to ensure your cosmetic routine doesn’t affect your skin’s health. According to numerous studies, makeup can actually improve the quality of life of acne patients without aggravating the skin, so long as it’s applied correctly.

Choosing the Right Products :

There has been much debate about the effect of noncomedogenic cosmetics versus their comedogenic counterparts, but some dermatologists recommend the former to patients struggling with moderate to severe acne. It’s also important to consider your skin type as you select makeup products. Those with oily skin should steer clear of heavy, oil-based foundations, while those with dry skin might need the extra moisturizing features provided by such cosmetics.

Light Layers :

It may be a case not of the types of products used, but of the way they’re applied. Avoid caking heavy amounts of makeup on the skin. While this won’t necessarily block your pores, it can impede cosmetics removal and see excess makeup sitting on the surface of the skin and finding its way into open pores quite easily. Layer your makeup lightly to avoid applying more than you need.

Pay Attention to Your Brushes :

If you apply your makeup with brushes, consider the last time you washed them. Makeup brushes can accumulate with dead skin cells, old makeup remnants, bacteria, and more. As you spread an unclean brush across your skin, you may be inadvertently spreading bacteria around, and this could lead to acne blemishes. If you have an open sore on your skin, bacteria can get under the surface and cause an infection. Brushes hardened with product can also become abrasive to your skin, creating a rough texture and causing excess irritation.

Remove Your Makeup :

If you are wearing makeup regularly, the most important task is removing it before bed or before intensive bouts of sweating, especially before heading to the gym. BioClarity’s first step of cleansing can help remove even the heaviest layers of makeup, leaving your skin clean and clear and ready for the second step of treatment.

Adjusting Your Diet :

Contrary to what you might have been told, a poor diet doesn’t necessarily cause acne breakouts. However, there is mounting evidence to the fact that certain foods may worsen a pre-existing acne condition. As detailed in our guide What Causes Acne?, there are foods that may exacerbate skin conditions. While the link between your diet and acne has not been solidified, many dermatologists recommend their patients cut out certain foods with high ratings on the glycemic index, as these can result in increased levels of blood sugar in the body. (The jury is still out whether chocolate causes acne.) This may trigger the production of insulin, which can result in the trigger of oil production. As we know, an increase in oil means your pores may become more easily clogged.

Antioxidants :

Eating more antioxidants can help protect your skin from sun damage, and help ease the pain and severity of breakouts. Foods with Vitamin C like oranges and tomatoes and Vitamin E like avocados and spinach contain many antioxidants. Green tea can be a wonderful source of antioxidants. Green tea applied topically can also have amazing nourishing effects for the skin, and our three-step system uses green tea extract to ensure your skin finds relief from itching, dryness, and inflammation.

How Sleeping Patterns Affect Your Skin :

Getting the right amount of rest can greatly impact the appearance and feel of your skin. From bedding to sleep deprivation, our skin needs those hours of shuteye to repair itself, and there are a variety of factors that can affect the feel and health of our epidermis.It’s important to regularly wash and replace your sheets, specifically your pillow case. We sweat and shed skin cells in our sleep, meaning our bedding can become a hotbed for blackheads and bacteria growth. You might also consider purchasing silk and/or satin pillowcases. This material has been purported to help our skin retain moisture, and prevent wrinkles. Your hair may also benefit, as these slippery pillowcases can actually lead to less breakage in your hair and eye lashes—and may even help you wake up with less bedhead in the morning.

Sleep Deprivation :

Sleep deprivation affects more than your concentration, and will do more than cause you to nod off at your desk. Sleep deprivation can actually result in a wearing down of your skin’s natural barrier function. This damage can lead to dryness, increased irritation, and more sensitive skin. Not getting the right amount of shuteye can increase the rate at which your skin ages, leaving you with wrinkles and brittle skin much earlier than you might have anticipated.

How to Get Better Sleep :

There are numerous ways in which you can improve upon your sleep. While everyone’s sleeping necessities vary, health experts generally recommend getting at least seven hours per night. Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule by going to sleep and waking up at similar times each and every day, even on the weekends. Try to limit your alcohol intake a few hours before sleeping, and don’t eat heavy meals before bed. Avoid caffeine for the six hours prior to bedtime, and make sure you’re taking part in regular exercise to ensure your body is tired and ready for rest at the end of the day.