10 Simple Ways For Clear and Smooth Skin

While the Internet is replete with tonnes and tonnes of information, suggestions and techniques to help you get better skin, it is very difficult to sieve out what’s really worth it and easy to implement.

Simple ways for clear skin

I have had problem skin for many, many years. I have dark circles, blemishes, blackheads, acne (which leaves obstinate marks) and very dry skin. While I absolutely cannot live without my HG concealer, I realized that it’s time that I started making some changes to see if they help improve my skin condition and much to my surprise, these little changes have really worked (and within such a short span of time!). So, I thought I would share these little tricks with you and if you are able to implement them in your daily routine, then they might help you too!

Change Your Pillow Case Regularly:
If you have an acne problem too, then read this one.  For many years, I noticed that I would get a lot of acne on the right side of my face. I could never figure out why! I just didn’t know why the left side of my face was so clear and acne-free but my right side so horridly blemished. Then it struck me that perhaps it has to do with me sleeping on my right side — I do sleep on my right side about 80% of the time. I think we all have predilections and natural inclinations for sleeping on a particular side. Anyway, then I realized that I don’t change my pillowcase very frequently and that I should! I started changing my pillowcase every time I washed my hair, which is about twice a week, and believe me, it has made a difference! Similarly, remember to replace your face towels every day, if not more often.

Wash Your Makeup Brushes Regularly:
Now, this one you must have heard often enough. But believe me, you have to be very, very disciplined about this, because makeup brushes are bacterial hubs. Rati’s post on washing makeup brushes was very useful. She suggests that brushes that we use with cream or liquid products should be washed after every use. I try sticking to that as a rule. The brushes that I use with my powder products, I wash after every 2-3 times of use.  Rati also suggests conditioning your brushes, which is an excellent idea. Because this makes your brushes (especially the big face brushes) very nice and soft, and hence, non-abrasive and gentle on your skin.

Is Your Cellphone Clean?
So, you wash your pillowcases and your makeup brushes, but what about your cellphone? Your cellphone has accumulated loads and loads of bacteria from absolutely everywhere it has been! And then you put it against your ear and face.
While you can’t wash your phone, I would suggest wiping it with antibacterial wipes and then quickly wiping it with dry, soft tissues. Do this at least once a day, if possible. Otherwise, our rigorous routine of cleaning, toning etc., will just fall flat!

Sunscreen, sunscreen!
Don’t step out during the daytime if you are not wearing sunscreen. Don’t underestimate the consequences of sun damage! Sun damage is very bad for the skin. Along with wrinkles, dark circles, tanning etc., it causes premature ageing and can even cause skin cancer. To ensure good skin now and for the future, use sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVB protection on all exposed parts (with a minimum of SPF 30). Additionally, you must always wear a pair of good sunglasses, carry an umbrella and a bottle of water whenever you’re out in the sun.  Also, don’t neglect your lips. Always wear a lip balm with SPF.

Wear Sunglasses with Polarized Lenses:
I would strongly recommend that you invest in a pair of sunglasses with polarized lenses. These lenses significantly cut out the glare of the sun, therefore protecting your eyes to a much greater extent than regular sunglasses. Therefore, the delicate area around your eyes will steer clear of dark circles and wrinkles that are caused by the harsh effects of sunlight.

Use Homemade Face Packs and Scrubs:
These work wonders! I only recently starting whipping up my own face pack at home, and oh my God, this has worked better than any other product that I have ever used!

There are lots and lots of preparations available on IMBB, so you can take your pick.

What I do is the following: I whip up some yogurt, turmeric, gram flour, honey and lemon juice. You can choose the proportions according to your preference. I find that this pack works very well on me. It hydrates my skin and leaves it feeling unbelievably soft and supple with every use. Secondly, it soothes my skin, brightens it and reduces the effects of suntan. Thirdly, I find my acne scars fading away so fast! Finally, it works as an excellent scrub and I find that my blackheads have really reduced in number.

All these ingredients are perfectly safe (they are edible, after all!) for long-term use. This way, you will cut out all those chemicals, save all that money and actually see wonderful results!

Opt for a Soap-free Cleanser:

We are all for SLS-free shampoo, so it’s about time we turned to soap-free body cleansers. Every time I have used a soap-free cleanser, I have actually felt the difference on my skin. It doesn’t feel dry, irritated or itchy. My pick is The Body Shop’s Satsuma Shower Gel.
Using a soap-free cleanser regularly will really work wonders for the skin.

Coconut Oil, the Magic Potion!
Lately, I have started using coconut oil on my body quite regularly. However, I used absolutely pure, first pressed coconut oil (which I stocked up on during the Trade Fair). My dry skin drinks it up like water and my skin is left feeling hydrated without either the greasiness or the smell of the oil! Pure coconut oil is very lightweight and hardly has any smell.  It also has healing properties, so dry skin, itchiness, flakiness, redness, burn marks and dark patches are all cured in the process. Moreover, I don’t have to worry about my skin being exposed to any chemicals at all.  If you can find pure coconut oil, then you must, must give it a shot. It is great for hair, skin and for makeup removal. An absolute must-have, according to me.

Eat Eggs for Good Skin:
My mom is a nutritionist and she tells me that eating eggs regularly really improves the texture of the skin. I don’t mind eating egg white, but it is the yolk that poses a problem for me (can’t stand the taste and smell!). However, I do chance upon a well-made omelette sometimes and I can vouch for the fact that egg yolk (yes, the skin-enhancing properties are in the yolk) really, really works to give you smooth and glowing skin. One full egg a day is enough and is also quite beneficial from the nutritional point of view.

Seasonal Fruits:

Summer Fruits

This season is all about watermelon, mango, papaya, muskmelon, grapes and tons of other fruits. Make the most of them. Because to keep your skin fresh and hydrated, you need more than just water.  Include these fruits in your diet and also whip them up for topical application. They are sure to help you get smoother, softer and glowing skin.

Exercise Routine:

Yoga

Physical exercise, even if it is for 20 minutes in a day, really helps you release toxins from your body. It is good for overall health (even if losing weight is not on your agenda) and the effects are sure to show on your beautiful skin.

I have tried all of the aforementioned simple ways to improve the health of my skin and I guarantee that they have all worked for me. Make these little changes one by one and you’ll see the difference for yourself.

Image Sources:  1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11.

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31 thoughts on “10 Simple Ways For Clear and Smooth Skin

  1. Richa….you know, I want to bookmark this article, its that useful, you have reminded us of important points that we forget so often. I am so thankful for the cellphone cleansing tip….. *haan ji*

  2. Very nice and useful post….
    I read each and every tip carefully… Time to get started…
    *thankyou*

  3. very hatke article *jalwa* *jalwa* *jalwa* all tips are so practical and simple but we tend to forgot them..i am also bookmarking it *clap* *clap*

  4. Tried n tested by one of my frndz…..use kumkumadi tailum at nite for reducing aces n the blemishes…it work like magic….but this one is for dry skin n m oil tanker…so nvr tried… *spank* *spank*

    1. Thanks for the tip Anuja 🙂 I’ll try to get hold of this ingredient. I have dry skin, so hopefully it’ll work for me.

  5. Coconut oil is better then any moisturizer.i used the Parasuit hot oil one last winter and got amazing result.coconut oil is the real 24 hour moisturizer i would say.my skin was so soft and supple…but now i am not using it because of hot summer weather….so for winter,i will recommend it for all..even black seed oil,almond oil,olive oil and sesame seed oil are as good as coconut oil.black seed and sesame seed oil help to reduce wrincles and also brighten skin:) 🙂

  6. Bookmarked it! You know what?? I get acne on my right side of the face too..will definitely change the pillow covers more often now 🙂 Thanks for such a nice article!

  7. *preen* *preen* *thankyou* *thankyou* a helpful article *thankyou* *thankyou* *happy dance* *happy dance* *happy dance* *happydance* *happydance*

  8. Nice post Richa! Anyone has any clues to nearest match for the lip shade in the very first pic? Really liked it *hihi*

  9. Hii everyone, I m quite new here thanks rich a fir a wonderful nd informative article.
    I hd a doubt u mentioned coconut oil on skin even I hv dry skin problem..so wanted to ask Wat time u apply it
    After bath or in night ..plz review on coconut oil by body shop..thnks

  10. I suggest also drinking a lot of fluids like juices and water helps increase skin texture…. i have read such an article before and tried the pillow one was miracle…. i also read to wash hand towels daily…. i am doing all this for more than a month n i can see considerable changes…..

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