How to get clear skin: 15 tips for glowing skin

Every morning, we all have one thing in common. And no, were not referring to waking up with bed hair. Our walk out of bed becomes a bit quicker as we approach the mirror to take a first look at our face, but more specifically, at our skin. Is my skin glowing after getting 7-8 hours of sleep? Is my complexion still clear or did an uninvited blemish appear in the middle of the night? These are all questions that we subconsciously ask ourselves, so we’ve put together a list of 15 tips, based on our skin-body-mind philosophy, that can set you on the path to clear, glowing, and healthy skin.

SKIN

01. Cleanse.

On a normal day, skin is covered with makeup and sunscreen. Then, it is exposed to dirt, grime, and pollution. Let’s not also forget that at night, it creates a debris of its own. Wash your face twice a day (after waking up and before bed) and after sweating, if applicable. Suds up your cleanser in your hands first. Wash first, then exfoliate. When dermatologists are asked by patients to recommend a cleanser, they will suggest a gentle, non-stripping pH-balanced, formula that addresses your skin type and concerns: oil, pores, breakouts, sensitivity, dryness, removing make up, etc.

02. Exfoliate regularly and use an exfoliating face mask.

Exfoliating regularly can help avoid the accumulation of dead skin cells, debris and oil that could clog your pores and lead to blemishes and breakouts. It can also make your skin look younger, brighter, and glowing. Don’t forget: with age, our skin cell turnover rate slows down from 28 days up to 50 days! For the most effective, yet gentle exfoliator, use a mechanical and/or chemical exfoliator that is formulated with lactic acid, salicylic acid, fruit enzymes and professional grade micro crystals scaled to your needs. Try our iconic dr. Brandt® MICRODERMABRASION for all skin types or a double function exfoliator/mask like dr. Brandt® PoreDermabrasion®, suitable for combination to oily skin.

03. Moisturize your skin.

Whether your skin is dry/dehydrated or oily/acne-prone skin, don’t skip the moisturizer. For dry/dehydrated skin types, it will seem moisturizing is an obvious need, but for oily or acne-prone skin, the natural instinct is to strip away excess oil. However, this leads to dry skin, triggering even more sebum production and further irritation. The counterintuitive solution? Hydration.

04. Use non-comedogenic products.

Non-comedogenic means that a product contains ingredients that won’t clog or block the pores on your skin. By not blocking pores, these products can help avoid blemishes, breakouts and other unwelcomed signs of acne that may appear. To make such a claim, a product is required to go through clinical tests. The product is applied on volunteers for at least 28 days and the skin is evaluated by a dermatologist.

05. Use acne-fighting ingredients.

Dermatologists’ conventional recommended topical acne treatments include benzoyl peroxide, retinoids and retinoid-like acids, salicylic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, tea tree oil, sulfur, mandelic acid and azelaic acid. 

06. Always wear a sunscreen.

Our founder, Dr. Fredric Brandt, with his cutting-edge artistic approach to cosmetic dermatological treatments, combined with his groundbreaking in-office procedures that made him famous within the skin care industry and beyond, always shared a “golden tip”: apply and re-apply a sunscreen daily with at least SPF 30. Skin will show less wrinkles, fewer hyperpigmentation spots, and sustained elasticity against the sun’s damages.

07. Adopt a good skincare routine.

There isn’t a one-shot solution – Nothing stops aging, as we are constantly aging, so it’s all about maintenance. Get the advice from skin care experts to define and shop a quality skincare regimen that’s right for you. You will see a dramatic improvement and it will help your skin look younger.

08. No harsh rubbing or scrubbing / be gentle on your skin.

Apply the mantra “less is more” so whenever you are applying a product in a skincare routine step: cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize…be gentle, enjoy the moment! Look for skincare products that not only offer skin benefits but sensorial experiences, they will create a positive impact on your skin & your life.

09.Choose makeup that won’t clog your pores and remove your makeup at night.

Wearing makeup might be causing your pores to become clogged and eventually, those clogged pores can turn into blemishes. It’s so important to cleanse your skin every night and perform a nighttime routine that’s right for your skin type. But if still getting rid of clogged pores, whiteheads and blackheads is an issue, adding in a well-formulated, pore-clearing acid-based cleanser and or mask with salicylic acid, should help to diminish these. Finally, don’t forget to clean makeup brushes after each use.

BODY

10. Consider a clear skin diet.

Although currently, no specific way of eating has sufficient evidence, an integrative approach, educating about diet and lifestyle habits would be beneficial. A high glycemic index diet and skim milk may synergistically influence acne development. Also, adult female acne was found to be associated with lower consumption of vegetables, fruits, and fish.* Drink water to stay hydrated and green tea for a boost of antioxidants as this help preserve younger-looking skin and fight free-radical damage. (page 50 – Advances in Integrative Dermatology. Dr. Katlein França/Torello Lotti)

11. Prevent maskne.

We have seen a higher risk of breakouts, redness or irritation on the upper cheeks, lower cheeks, jawline, chin, nose, and around the lips – the areas of the face covered by protective face masks – from being enclosed for long periods of time. How to combat maskne?

• Wash your face regularly.
• Apply moisturizer.
• Skip makeup if possible.
• Choose masks wisely and wash after every use.

MIND

12. Stop pimple popping

We are certain that popping your pimples will almost always make them worse, but we also know that it can be hard to resist the urge. There are significant emotional and situational triggers, such as anxiety, depression, or negative emotions, that make you want to pop or pick, so look for techniques that helps you to deal with them. For example: If you are more likely to pimple pop at a certain time of day or location — as in front of the bathroom mirror post-shower — you should be intentional about avoiding this moment in the bathroom.

13. Clean your phone’s screen.

As you might notice, “cleanse” is a key step to “clear & glowing skin”, therefore we should consider everything that comes into contact with our skin and make sure as much as possible, that it’s clean. With 3.80 Billion smartphone users* in the world today, we forget how easily we can spread bacteria, oil, and other debris from our fingers to our face through the phone screen. Don’t forget to clean it often! (Source: https://www.bankmycell.com/blog/how-many-phones-are-in-the-world)

14. Change your pillowcase.

Pillowcases accumulate dirt, oil, saliva, and sweat. Daily use causes bacteria collection and possible allergic reactions. While bedsheets may be washed weekly, pillowcases should be changed or washed every few days to remove accumulated bacteria especially If you have skin issues, allergies, asthma, or other health problems.

15. Manage your stress level and get lots of sleep.

“No skin care system will work on the outside unless you´re willing to work on the inside as well” * Sure, stress and anxiety are part of life, but you can also manage them with simple, conscious decisions such as a healthy diet, meditation, remembering to BREATHE, or going to bed 10 minutes earlier each night until you’re getting enough sleep. We truly believe if you find 10 minutes each day to devote to improving your skin and your life, the less maintenance you will need.

*”10 minutes 10 years” Dr. Fredric Brandt