Clear skin: Step by step

Spots or pimples often appear on your face, neck, chest, back and shoulders, where skin has the greatest amount of oil glands. Few of us are immune to skin problems, but treatments can minimise outbreaks. For a clear complexion, view the slides ahead to see some surprising dos and don’ts.

Don't overwash your face

Dirty skin does not lead to acne or blemishes. Frequent and vigorous washing can irritate your skin and make acne worse. So can grainy scrubs or soaps with harsh chemicals. Instead, wash acne-prone areas twice daily with a mild cleanser or soap and warm water to minimise irritation.

Do choose oil-free soap

Oil-free soaps won’t clog your pores or cause blackheads, acne and whiteheads. Choose products that are labelled 'oil free', 'nonacnegenic', or 'noncomedogenic'. Apply the soap and wash with your fingertips. Flannels, mesh sponges or other products may be too abrasive and can irritate the skin and cause breakouts.

Don't avoid favourite foods

It's a myth that oily foods or chocolate directly cause spots. Acne occurs when pores are blocked by oils, skin cells and normal bacteria, causing inflammation.  Some foods may trigger a hormonal reaction that leads to an overgrowth of skin cells or too much oil production. So, if certain foods seem to cause you to break out in spots, try to avoid them. But you don't need to avoid pizza or chocolate for clear skin. 

Do drink plenty of water

Drink water throughout the day to keep your skin well hydrated. Also, eat a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A and vitamin E, two vitamins known to benefit your skin. Green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli are rich in vitamin E. Vitamin A is found in colourful fruits and vegetables such as carrots, peaches and peppers.

Don't use heavy make up

Avoid oil-based cosmetics. How can you tell? Follow this simple guideline: Creamy foundation or blusher can generally clog pores. Mineral-based cosmetics, which are light and powdery, may be less likely to do so.

Do use an oil-free foundation

Do use oil-free foundation if you wear makeup. Splash your face with cold water before applying your foundation. Cold water helps close your pores. No matter how tired you are, wash your make up off before bed. 

Don't sunbathe or tan

It's a myth that tanning clears up your skin. It's a fact that UV rays put you at risk of skin cancer, premature ageing and wrinkles. Don't lie in the sun or use a tanning bed as UV light from sunbeds is also harmful. Tanning salons are banned from letting under 18s use sunbeds. Also, some commonly prescribed acne medicines, including topical retinoids, can make you more sensitive to damage from UV rays.

Do use oil-free sunscreen

Wear an oil-free sunscreen or moisturiser with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. You may need a higher SPF if you are in a warmer climate on holiday. Apply 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours. Look for products labelled noncomedogenic that won't clog your pores.

Don't use greasy hair products

Products such as hair pomades or gels can clog your pores when your hair brushes against your face. Keep your hair clean using an oil-free, nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic shampoo. If you have oily hair, shampoo daily. Shield your face when applying any sprays and gels to your hair.

Do keep hair off your face

Pull long hair back when you sleep so it doesn't aggravate your skin. Try to keep your hair away from your face during the day as well. Remember, hair contains oils that can block pores and cause spot breakouts – even if you don't use hair products. 

Don't touch your face

Avoid touching or rubbing your face as this can make acne worse. Also, don't lean your face on your hands. Try to keep your  mobile phone from touching your face. Our hands and phones may carry oils and germs that can irritate blemishes. Sweat can also make acne worse. Gently wash your skin after activities that may make you sweat.

Do apply cream with applicators

Use cotton balls, cotton buds or applicators when applying creams or makeup to your skin. If you use your hands, only apply these products with your fingertips. Our hands carry oils and germs that can make spots and blemishes worse. If you wear make up, make sure you apply it to clean skin.

Do use oil-free moisturiser

Healthy skin is moist. Choose a moisturiser that says noncomedogenic on the label. This means it won't clog your pores. You may hesitate to apply moisturiser to acne-prone skin, but a good moisturiser may help calm irritated skin and keep spots at bay.

Don't pop your pimples!

Squeezing pimples or spots just creates more problems. Resist the temptation. It will only delay healing and increases the risk of scarring. Squeezing pimples may also push infected material into the skin, where it can cause additional inflammation and scarring.

Do use acne medicine as directed

There's no magic cure for acne. Several creams, lotions and gels are available at pharmacies. But, if over-the-counter treatment isn’t controlling your acne, see you GP, who may prescribe a treatment. Don’t expect results overnight. Treatments can take up to three months to work. Some acne may take up to six months to clear up. Make sure you follow your GP’s directions. Too much medicine can irritate skin, but too little is not effective.

Look into all acne treatments

Don't just live with acne, blackheads and blemishes. If your treatments don't seem to be working, your GP may refer you to a skin specialist to discuss other treatments. There are many types of medications to help clear your skin. They range from topical retinoids, antibiotics, and azelaic acid to antibiotic tablets and hormonal therapy. These treatments require a doctor's prescription.

Related reading

• Spots, symptoms and causes
• Teenage acne
• Skin care tips for teens
• All about adult acne
• 10 ways to wreck your skin
• Stress and your skin