7 Tips for Keeping Clear Skin

After a year-long battle with hormonal acne, being able to finally write this post is such a good feeling. I’ve actually started to write this numerous times and ended up with another blemish forming but I feel like I am finally in a place where my skin is looking better and I have some tips I’ve found along the way.

#1 Stick to a skincare routine

Finding products that work for you is essential for this step but I’ve found it’s important to keep using those products once you do know what your skin likes. We’ve all had nights where a makeup wipe is as close as we’re going to get to a skincare routine but don’t let that become a habit.

#2 Introduce new skincare products gradually

If you’re like me and obsessed with trying things, it can make your skin freak out. Plus, I wasn’t always sure if a new product had caused breakouts or not so it’s easier if you only try one new thing at a time.

#3 Eat well

I’ve always been prone to breakouts, especially after overindulging in chocolate and other sugary goodness. The same can be said for alcohol, which makes the festive period a nightmare for my skin. I can really see the difference if I eat well and drink plenty of water though so it is worth it!

#4 Avoid heavy face creams

This one only applies if you have oily or combination skin prone to breakouts like me. I find that I have to be careful when using day and night creams as I can wake up with my skin feeling greasy or even with a new breakout if I’m using rich or heavy face creams too often or not washing my face properly the morning after using a heavy night cream.

#5 Double cleanse

When I was younger, I used to be able to get away with just removing makeup with a face wipe and occasionally using a face wash but this won’t do for my skin anymore. It’s possibly because I’m wearing more makeup now and also I use more creams and products in general on my skin as I’ve got older, but I think double cleansing really ensures you’ve got all the dirt and grime off your face. I usually take my makeup off with micellar water or a Face Halo and then follow with a cleanser or face wash either immediately after or before I go to bed.

#6 Try a chemical exfoliant

I still love physical scrubs, but if I’m going through a particularly bad breakout, sometimes abrasive scrubs can make my blemishes look worse. Chemical exfoliants sound scary but I try to use mine as just a small amount mixed in with a serum or moisturiser a few times a week on an evening and it does just as good a job at softening my skin and improving texture.

#7 Go makeup free

When my skin is misbehaving, covering it in makeup always hides the problem but could end up clogging pores even more and leading to further breakouts. It’s difficult to break this cycle if you’re not comfortable going out with makeup-free skin but I really noticed how much my skin cleared up when I had some time off work and treated my face to a few no makeup days.

None of these tips are particularly groundbreaking but I hope it’s of some help if you’re in the same position as me with hormonal acne. Obviously, I can’t be sure what will work for every skin type or even every type of breakout but these things combined have really helped me.

My favourite skincare products for breakouts

Pixi Glow Tonic

Glycolic acid in general is great for promoting clear skin but this seems to work better for me than the cheaper alternatives I’ve tried. It doesn’t do much for spots but it does brighten my skin and help fade blemishes.

Nip + Fab Glycolic Pads

I tend to use these as an alternative to the glow tonic or on a morning if I’m just giving my face a quick sweep. They do a similar job in terms of fading scars and blemishes but I don’t think the long-term benefits are as good. I also enjoyed the Dragon’s Blood pads from Nip + Fab too.

PS…Alex Steinherr Super Detox Clay Mousse Mask

As a new addition to my collection, I really like this clay mask for helping my skin through bad breakouts. It doesn’t do much for existing blemishes but it helps calm my skin down and prevents further breakouts.

Soap & Glory Vitamin C Facial Wash

I haven’t been using this too long but I’ve found it helps to keep my skin clear and has scrub beads for exfoliation too. I can’t be sure which products exactly have worked best but my skin has been clearer since I started using this.

TonyMoly Tomatox Massage Pack

Not particularly beneficial for blemishes but I like to use this on days when my skin is looking a bit sorry for itself as this works as an instant skin boost.

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid

My favourite spot treatment ever, but it’s very easy to go overboard with this one and dry out your skin so be careful!

The Ordinary Lactic Acid

This is what I use to exfoliate if I’m not using a physical face scrub. It’s the only one I’ve tried but it works for me.

Clinique Moisture Surge

Gel moisturisers in general work well for my skin as they sink in quickly and don’t feel too greasy and this is my favourite.

Revolution Blemish and Pore Refining Serum

I haven’t yet repurchased this since using it up but I would definitely recommend for fading blemishes.