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How To Get Clear Skin The Right Way

6 min. read

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There are many reasons why your skin may be having trouble clearing up. Wrinkles are a natural product of getting older, acne is often a product of stress or imbalanced hormones, and scars can result from improperly dealing with your skin.

We are here to help you find the best ways to support your specific skin type so that you can get the clear, supple skin you desire.

Dermatologists

Consultation from a doctor should always be at the top of your list for learning how to treat your body in the healthiest manner. They can help prescribe any necessary medication as well as lead you away from specific ingredients, products, or procedures that may end up harming your skin more than helping it.

Dermatologists are doctors that specifically specialize in treating skin and other keratin-rich areas of the body such as your hair and nails. Anything from skin cancer to premature aging to eczema can be examined and treated by a dermatologist.

Alternatively, a dermatologist consultation can also be beneficial if you are simply looking for the right skin care products for your skin type. These are licensed experts dedicated to helping you with your skincare.

Seeing an expert will do two things. First, it will eliminate any risks that come with trying new products or routines with no experience.

Second, an expert can tell you exactly what skin type you have if you don’t know already, and from there, they can lead you in the best possible direction for your body.

The main skin types include:

  • Oily skin or acne-prone skin
  • Combination skin
  • Dry skin
  • Sensitive skin
  • Normal Skin

Knowing your skin type is key to choosing the right products, and a dermatologist can help you along this journey.

Water

You need to drink plenty of water–for your skin and your overall health. Your skin will start to lack vitality and moisture if you aren’t careful to give it plenty of hydration through your water intake.

Drinking lots of water can not only help improve the surface of your skin, but it can also support healthy energy levels and promote good bacteria in your digestive tract.

Cleansing

Keeping things clean is essential for healthy skin, and showers are very important for ridding yourself of sweat. Sweat, and all the oils that mix with it, is the biggest contributor to unhealthy skin and breakouts of blackheads, whiteheads, and acne in general.

Showers need only be taken a few times a week for most people, but if you find yourself frequently sweating due to your environment, job, or skin type, you may need to shower more often. Hot showers with steam can help open up your pores which can help during your skin care routine, while cold water may help refine your pores.

Proper exfoliation can also help get rid of dirt, dead skin cells, and other impurities that can clog your pores. However, be gentle on your skin to avoid damaging your skin barrier or cause irritation.

An oil-free cleanser containing salicylic acid may be best for those with acne-prone or oily skin, while a nourishing and gentle cleanser can benefit sensitive skin. Make sure to keep any makeup brushes clean, too, as dirty brushes can be home to germs, dirt, and grime that clogs your pores.

Acne Control 

Sweat and oils from our skin can clog up our pores, leading to acne and infections. Acne can also be caused by stress or a spike in hormones, and the proper treatment method for acne depends on the severity, skin type, and type of acne.

Pus-filled acne, nodules, cysts, and ingrown hairs are all types of impurities that can require different treatment methods.

Medication and medicated creams are good places to start for trying to treat acne. A doctor can always prescribe something that will work best for you, like benzoyl peroxide or tea tree oil.

It is not recommended that you attempt to pop pimples since this can worsen any scarring or irritation. Keeping your hands and nails clean while treating your face is important so as to not contribute to any clogged pores.

For acne on other locations of the body, applying cream will still work just as well, and don’t forget to shower any sweat off after the gym to keep everything clean from body oils.

Sometimes, acne can be persistent and severe, but patience and consistency is key.

At any point in time, a dermatologist can inform you if the best way to proceed is to have a procedure performed. This can sometimes be the only way to help certain cases and ensure that you don’t damage your skin further.

Flaking Control 

Flaking and dead skin cells are common indications of dry skin. Dealing with it means keeping your body as hydrated as possible all the time. The most important thing you can do with dry skin is to remember to moisturize, ideally twice a day.

Exfoliating can be particularly beneficial when you have dry skin, but it is important to do so correctly. When your skin is flaking off, pores can become clogged with dead skin, provoking blackheads. Exfoliating entails scrubbing and washing out all those dead skin cells.

Wrinkle Control

Wrinkling is a natural side effect of aging. There are ways, however, to ensure that you keep your skin at its healthiest for the longest possible time- as well as prevent cases of premature wrinkles.

The sun is an important source of nutrients and vitamins for us, and any doctor will recommend that you get outside to get plenty of sunlight.

However, they will usually recommend wearing sunscreen since too much sun exposure can quickly become dangerous. The sun gives off radiation that can ultimately cause skin cancer and other diseases, and broad-spectrum sunscreen can help protect you from UVA and UVB rays.

Another big contributor to wrinkles is smoking. In fact, smoking can cause a number of problems for your skin and your body as a whole.

Smoking disrupts oxygen flow in your blood, diminishing the nutrients the rest of your body receives. Next comes wrinkles and blemishes, and of course, there is always the possibility of cancer when it comes to smoking. Quitting isn't an easy thing, but being aware of the consequences is essential.

Fortunately, help is always available through doctors and rehab centers if you’re willing to put yourself out there for the good of your body.

Conclusion

Skin impurities like acne, dark spots, and wrinkles can appear for many different reasons, and building a better understanding of your skin type can help you find the proper treatment method.

A dermatologist can work with you to find the cause of your skin impurities to correct them accordingly, and it is always best to consult a professional before trying products or strategies that have the potential to make matters worse.

Sources:

How to treat different types of acne | AAD

Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin | AAD

Ingrown hair - Diagnosis and treatment | Mayo Clinic

Treatments to Reduce Wrinkles | Cleveland Clinic

Healthy Directions Staff Editor