What does it take to have great-looking skin?

While most of the faces you see on magazines, television, and the Internet have been digitally touched up to remove any and all blemishes, it’s hard not to covet perfect-looking skin. Wouldn’t it be nice to have even skin tones without a trace of dark circles under your eyes, blackheads, or zits? A clear complexion is every man and woman’s dream. Genetics, hormones, and aging may not be on your side, but there are ways to improve the appearance of your skin.

Taking care of your skin should be a priority. Some skincare regimens provide fast results, while others give long-term protection for the future. Anyone wanting better-looking skin would do well adopting a combination of both with these skincare practices.

Daily Cleanser

Morning and night, you should wash away dirt, makeup, excess oils, and impurities with a gentle cleanser. You want a cleanser that’s made for your skin type and complexion concerns. Look for cleansers with salicylic acid to help prevent breakouts. If you’re prone to dry skin, use a moisturizing cleanser. A gentle cleanser won’t strip your skin of its natural oils, which are needed to prevent breakouts and dryness.

Instead of using just your hands to apply cleanser, use a cleansing brush or device to exfoliate and smooth the skin. This helps remove even more dirt, makeup, and bacteria.

Toner for the Win

An often overlooked part of skincare, toner should be your second step in skincare. Toner is used to reduce breakouts, help balance the pH of the skin, and hydrate dry skin. Whatever dirt is left behind after cleansing, toner is sure to get. For breakout-prone skin, use a toner that contains salicylic acid or glycolic acid to unclog the pores.

Spot Treat as Needed

When blemishes pop up, it’s time to spot treat with specially formulated creams that kill acne bacteria. Look for medicated creams that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!

Your skin will lose some of its natural oils and hydration with cleansing. Both oily and dry skin are more prone to acne, so a daily moisturizer is a must if you want great skin. Look for a moisturizer that contains certain ingredients. You want to use a moisturizer that contains an SPF of at least 15 to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays that can lead to aging, lines, and wrinkles. Your moisturizer should also be oil-free and non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores. Vitamins A and B5 provide moisture and improve skin’s firmness. Vitamins C and E help prevent skin cell damage.

Eat for Your Skin

The foods you eat can affect the appearance of your skin. Junk food, fried foods, sugar, highly processed foods, and dairy can all lead to breakouts. Skip those skin-ruining foods and fill your plate with foods that promote healthy skin such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean protein.

Limit Sun Exposure

Want beautiful skin for years to come? Then stay out of the sun and tanning bed. UV rays lead to skin cancer, wrinkles, and brown spots on the skin. Whenever you’re outdoors, wear sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing.

Manage Stress

People who are stressed are more likely to deal with acne breakouts. The stress hormone cortisol increases the skin’s production of oil and hinders the body from fighting off bacteria that cause acne. Since stress is a part of everyone’s life, you’ll want to learn healthy ways of managing it, such as deep breathing, meditation, and physical activity.

Sleepy Solution

A good night’s rest may be all you need to control breakouts, lessen dark circles, and reduce bags under your eyes. Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night, children and teens even more. Want better skin? Sweet dreams…

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