How To Get Clear Skin – 14 Natural Tips For Spotless Skin
Tips to help you amp up your skincare routine and achieve bright and flawless skin.
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Everyone wants to get clear and spotless skin, with or without effort. However, this goal needs a certain amount of diligence, time, effort, and a healthy lifestyle to get it. Environmental stressors like dust, pollution, humidity, harsh weather, improper sleep and diet, too much junk food, makeup, dehydration, anything, and everything can strip your face of its natural glow and moisture. While makeup, concealers, and foundations can help you feel and look spotless for a while, it doesn’t make your skin healthy and radiant from within!
To keep the blood rushing to your face, you need to take a balanced and healthy diet supplemented with proper exercise and an active lifestyle. In addition, proper gentle cleansing, toning, and moisturizing all nourish your skin and keep it well hydrated. While you need to fix these things to get your skin feeling healthy, there are also a few home remedies that can help you get your natural glow and radiance back! Read on to try a few for yourself and see the difference.
In This Article
How To Get Clear Skin
1. Detox Water For Clear Skin
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Cucumber has cooling properties and rejuvenates the skin (1), (2). Lemon helps manage endocrine dysfunction, thus eliminating one of the most common reasons for developing spots and acne (3), (4). Mint aids in regulating indigestion and clearing any internal infections (5).
You Will Need
- 2 L water
- 1 cucumber
- 1 lemon
- A handful of mint leaves
- A pitcher
What You Have To Do
- Slice the cucumber and lemon and drop the pieces in an empty pitcher. Add the mint leaves as well.
- Pour water over these and refrigerate.
- Keep sipping this water all day long.
How Often Should You Do This
You can continue having this detox water every day for long-lasting healthy and clear skin.
2. Coconut Oil
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Coconut oil moisturizes your skin. Its antimicrobial properties may help keep the skin clean and infection-free. It contains phytochemicalsi which are powerful antioxidants that scavenge free radicals (6). These activities may contribute to making your skin clear and treating acne.
You Will Need
- Virgin coconut oil
- Cotton ball or cotton pad
What You Have To Do
- Lightly warm up the oil.
- Dot the oil all over the skin with your fingertips and massage the area for a minute or two.
- Let the oil soak in for a couple of minutes. Wipe away the excess oil with a cotton ball/pad.
How Often Should You Do This
Do this 2 times a day.
Caution: Do not try this remedy if you have acne-prone skin as coconut oil may aggravate the condition.
3. Green Tea
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Doctors recommend the daily consumption of green tea for a healthy body and clear skin. Green tea contains antioxidants that can nourish, heal, and detoxify your body (7). This, in turn, reflects on your skin. You can also use skin care products like face wash, moisturizer, and facial packs that contain green tea for clear and healthy-looking skin (8).
You Will Need
- Green tea bag
- A cup of hot water
- Honey (to taste)
- Lemon juice (to taste)
What You Have To Do
- Steep the green tea bag in hot water for a few minutes.
- Remove the tea bag and add honey and lemon juice.
- Sip this herbal tea while it is warm.
How Often Should You Do This
Drink 2-3 cups of green tea in a day.
Caution: Over-consumption of green tea (more than 8 cups per day) may be harmful. It can cause negative effects due to its caffeine. These negative effects, which range in severity from minor to extreme, include headache and increased heart rate.
4. Lemon
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Lemon juice is a rich source of vitamin C, which helps in skin lightening (9). This remedy may help you get rid of spots and blemishes and achieve clear skin (10).
You Will Need
A lemon
What You Have To Do
- Cut a lemon in two halves.
- Rub one half directly onto your skin in a circular motion.
- Do this for 5 minutes. Rinse your face with cold water.
How Often Should You Do This
You can do this once daily.
Caution: If you have sensitive skin, do not try this remedy as it may cause redness, irritation, and burn your skin. Do a patch test on your inner elbow and wait for 30 minutes to check if there is any reaction. If your skin is irritated, do not proceed with this remedy.
5. Honey For Glowing Skin
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Honey contains vitamins and minerals that nourish the skin. It also contains antioxidants, called flavonoids, which can give you clear and healthy-looking skin. Honey has emollient properties that moisturize your skin and soften it (11).
You Will Need
1 teaspoon raw honey
What You Have To Do
- Apply a thin layer of honey on a clean and dry face.
- Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
How Often Should You Do This
Repeat this every day.
Trivia6. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has skin-friendly, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. It stimulates collageni and help maintain tissue structure.” ]that produce collagen and elastini fibers, increasing the skin’s elasticity. It also acts as an astringenti and tightens pores. Aloe vera is an excellent moisturizing agent and helps eliminate dryness and flaking of skin (12).
You Will Need
A leaf from the aloe vera plant
What You Have To Do
- Remove the thorny sides and the green outer covering from the aloe vera leaf.
- Cut the gel into small cubes.
- You can either grind the cubes to a pulp or rub them directly onto the skin.
How Often Should You Do This
Include the aloe vera remedy in your daily skincare routine for spot-free, flawless skin.
Caution: Aloe vera might not work for all skin types, and may cause a burning sensation. So it’s advised to do a patch test before using it on your face.
7. Olive Oil
Olive oil contains vitamin E that hydrates the skin and restores its elasticity (13). It also contains phenolic compounds that reduce inflammation. These properties reduce oxidative damage, promoting skin reconstruction (14). This, in turn, can improve your skin health.
You Will Need
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Soft washcloth
- Hot water
What You Have To Do
- Apply a few drops of extra virgin olive oil on the skin.
- Follow this up with a gentle massage in circular motions.
- Leave it on for a few minutes.
- Wipe it off using a washcloth dipped in hot water.
How Often Should You Do This
Repeat this every night before going to bed.
Caution: Make sure that the water is not scalding hot.
Quick Tip8. Oatmeal
Oatmeal soothes the skin and exfoliates the dead skin cells. It also moisturizes the skin and exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities (15). These properties make it a good cleanser, moisturizer, and anti-inflammatory agent.
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons oatmeal
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
What You Have To Do
- Mix all the ingredients to form a thick paste. Add a little water if required.
- Apply this mask on the face and neck. Leave it on for 15 minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
How Often Should You Do This
Apply this mask 2 times a week
9. Rose Water
Rosewater is one of the most commonly used natural remedies for clear and glowing skin. It exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (16). It has anti-aging properties and promotes the production of collagen and elastin for healthy-looking skin. It is also a natural astringent and tones the skin.
You Will Need
- Rosewater
- Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
- Place the rose water in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Apply it all over a clean face and neck using the cotton ball.
- Let it air dry. Moisturize as usual.
How Often Should You Do This
Do this 2 times a day.
10. Potato
Potatoes contain enzymes and vitamin C that can nourish your skin. It also exerts an antiseptic action on the skin and leaves behind a youthful glow. The pulp is acidic and helps in sloughingi off dead skin cells, revealing glowing skin underneath (17).
You Will Need
A potato
What You Have To Do
- Cut the potato into round slices.
- Take a slice and rub it onto your skin in circular motions.
- Rub the slices for five minutes and wash it off with cold water.
How Often Should You Do This
Follow this routine once daily for best results.
11. Turmeric
Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and therapeutic agent and is widely used to treat minor cuts, wounds, pimples, and acne (18). It also has skin lightening properties that can help in getting rid of spots and blemishes.
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons turmeric powder
- 1/4 cup water
What You Have To Do
- Mix two tablespoons of turmeric with water to make a thick paste.
- Apply this paste over your face.
- Let it stay on for about five minutes. Rinse your face with cold water.
How Often Should You Do This
Apply the turmeric face pack daily.
12. Tomato
Tomato contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that provides sun protection and protects your skin from UV damage and oxidative stress (19). This can keep the skin healthy and youthful.
You Will Need
- A tomato
- 2 teaspoons rose water
What You Have To Do
- Make a pulp of the tomato and mix it with two teaspoons of rose water.
- Apply this mixture on your face and keep it on for 10 minutes.
- Wash your face with cool water and pat dry with a soft towel.
How Often Should You Do This
You can do this daily.
13. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar possesses antimicrobial properties that can help in preventing and treating infections (20). The acids present in ACV exfoliate dead skin cells and reveal a fresh and healthy layer of skin cells. ACV also acts as an astringent that can prevent your pores from getting infected and inflamed.
You Will Need
- 1 part apple cider vinegar
- 1 part water
- Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
- Mix ACV with water and soak the cotton ball in it.
- Apply the cotton ball to the skin and leave it on overnight.
- Wash the area in the morning.
- You can also add a teaspoon of ACV to a glass of water and drink it every morning.
How Often Should You Do This
Do this every night before going to bed.
In addition to following these remedies, you also need to make changes in your diet to get clear and healthy skin.
Diet For Clear And Healthy Skin
Although research on the connection between diet and healthy skin is still in its primitive stages, a study shows that a low glycemic diet can help prevent acne (21).
The low-glycemic diet involves consuming foods that have a low glycemic indexi . Foods with a low GI can help control blood sugar levels (22).
Here’s what you need to consume and avoid to keep your blood sugar levels under control.
- Fruits: Apricots and orange
- Vegetables: Green leafy vegetables and tomatoes.
- Nuts
- Beans and lentils
- Avoid processed carbs and aerated drinks
You can drink this healthy green juice for clear and radiant skin.
Green Juice
This green juice or smoothie contains vitamins and minerals, which are healthy for the body and skin. It acts as a beauty detox.
You Will Need
- 1 cucumber
- A handful of kale
- 5-6 celery stalks
- 1/2 green apple
- A handful of cilantro leaves
- Juice of one lemon
- Water
What You Have To Do
- Grind all the ingredients with a little water to make this healthy green juice.
- Drink the juice in the mornings.
How Often Should You Do This
Consume this juice once daily.
Apart from the home remedies listed above, here are a few clear skin tips to get radiant and spot-free skin.
Additional Tips To Get Clear Skin
- Drink Water– Drink enough water to keep your body healthy and hydrated. It will flush out all the toxins and help maintain your skin’s hydration levels. This will help you get clear, glowing, and healthy skin.
- Follow A Balanced Diet – One of the most important tips to get clear skin is to include fresh fruits/juices and green leafy vegetables in your diet.
- Apply Moisturizer Daily – If you have extremely dry skin, it starts compensating for the dryness by producing natural skin oils, which can lead to acne and breakouts. To avoid this, moisturize your skin daily, and do twice as much during winters. This will help prevent flaky and dry skin. Using non-comedogenic products and moisturizers does not clog your pores.
- Wash Your Face Twice Daily – Always wash your wash before you go to bed to get rid of the day’s grime that may have settled in your pores. Ensure to wash your face with cold water (cold water closes the pores) for 35-40 seconds with a dime-sized amount of face wash to get rid of the dirt and oils.
- Be Gentle – Scrubbing your skin too hard can leave it red and irritated. Skip harsh washcloths and loofahs as they can cause breakouts and aggravate dryness.
- Use Sunscreen – Sunscreen can protect your skin from UV radiation while also lowering exposure to free radicals (which are linked to aggravating acne and aging). Remember that gel-based sunscreen is the best choice for oily and combination skin. In comparison to cream-based sunscreens, gel sunscreens are often lighter and oil-free.
- Exfoliate – Exfoliation can remove layers of dead skin cells, dirt, and oil that clog your pores. Use products with glycolic acidi and lactic acid as they help absorb the oils and grime settled in your pores (23). Make sure you moisturize your skin later to avoid dryness.
- Stop Touching Your Face (Don’t Pop) – Your hands have millions of bacteria that can transfer onto your skin. Thus, refraining from touching your face without washing your hands properly is an important way to get clear skin. If you pop your pimples, your present condition can get worse, and there are chances of infection too. Use a cotton pad to check on the problem areas.
- Try The 3-Step Skin Care Routine – This routine is meant only for acne-prone skin. The steps include using salicylic acidi cleanser, a toner or astringent, and a non-comedogenic (oil-free) moisturizer. These products create an exfoliating effect on your skin, removing dead skin cells right away. However, this routine can cause skin dryness and irritation. Therefore, do a patch test before proceeding with the routine.
- Consult a Dermatologist – If home remedies are not helpful, seeking professional help from a dermatologist is necessary to resolve the issue. Learn about your skin and use prescribed medications to achieve healthy skin.
- Try Prescription Medicines – Your doctor may suggest topical retinoidsi , creams, gels, and pills resolve different skin issues. Using benzoyl peroxide may help treat acne. Use them as recommended for faster and better results.
- Relax Your Mind – A study shows that stress is directly proportional to skin disorders (24). Emotional stress can take a toll on your skin and lead to skin disorders. Hence, look for healthy ways for stress management by doing yoga, exercise, or listening to music or attending art therapy, meditation, etc. Most importantly, get 7- 8 hours of sleep every day. These methods help in managing hormone levels and allow your body to function properly.
- Clean Makeup Brushes – Clean your makeup brushes at least once every two weeks. Bacteria breed in moist areas, and brushes that come in regular contact with liquid/creamy makeup products are potential breeding grounds for bacteria. Thus, they need to be cleaned every week. Brushes that are less frequently used or used for dry makeup products can be cleaned every three to four weeks. Wash the brushes with shampoo and let them dry overnight.
- Remove Makeup – Remove your makeup before going to bed. Your skin regenerates and repairs itself while you sleep. If you don’t remove the makeup from your skin, you’ll end up with clogged pores, and your skin will be prone to breakouts. Use the olive oil home remedy or a makeup remover to remove all traces of makeup from the face. Also, limiting makeup use is a good way to let your original skin breathe.
- Avoid smoking – Smoking can cause such severe skin damage that your skin will begin to resemble the worst version of itself before you know it. Avoiding smoking is one of the best ways to achieve clear skin. According to studies, smoking causes premature aging, such as wrinkles (25).