10 Things You Can do to Maintain Clear and Healthy Skin

    By Ebun Oluwole    A lot of people in our society today have serious battles with severe acne due to a couple of factors which primarily relate with unhealthy lifestyles that are lacking in adequate skincare regimens. According to mayoclinic.org, acne vulgaris or simply ”Acne” is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. In layman’s term, it’s a skin problem when oil and dead skin clog up your pores. It commonly appears on the chest, neck, back, shoulders and majorly on the face. The severe cases can really disfigure the face and it’s not very pretty. But the good news is acne can be treated, chemically or naturally. There are many drugstore soaps, creams and cleansers that promise to eradicate acne within a particular period of a time. Some have proved to be thoroughly effective while some, otherwise. It all depends on what works for your skin type. And then there are natural remedies which can be consistently used for a while and are almost always effective even though they take a much longer time to work. When pimples and blackheads have finally gone, how then do we prevent them from resurfacing?  There are certain habits we need to incorporate into our lifestyle to stop acne from becoming annoyingly persistent. 1. As the starting point to tackling most unwanted things, it starts from our diet. An unhealthy diet often leads to unnecessary break-outs. Add more vegetables, fruits and fibre to your diet. Also, apples, avocados, carrots, sweet potatoes, bananas and spinach should be consistent in your diet. All of these things can contribute to healthier skin. 2. Next up, drink water. I know how difficult it is for a lot of people to drink 8 glasses of water a day but the thing is your skin needs it to stay hydrated. Water is boring and unexciting however, we can add lemon and/or lime to hydrate and detoxify our system of any toxic substances that causes acne. Ditch the caffeine, green tea should be your best friend. Regular consumption definitely chases acne away and soothes the skin. You could spice it up with some honey and lemon. 3. Exfoliate regularly. Exfoliation is the process of getting rid of dead cells that have built up on the skin. If they aren’t removed regularly, they will clog your pores thereby causing acne. You could buy a ready-made scrub from the store or make yours with white/brown sugar, honey and olive oil. This should be part and parcel of your skincare regimen and should be done weekly. 4. Change your sheets/pillow cases frequently. Dirty sheets harbour dirt which will clogs your pores. Change them as frequently as possible. 5. Wash your face with a mild cleanser twice daily. The importance of this cannot be overemphasized. First thing in the morning and last thing at night after which you moisturize to prevent your face from drying out. 6. Check your make-up regularly. Don’t wait until they’re finished before you dispose of them. Some cosmetics expire, making them both unsafe and unhealthy for your skin. Wash your brushes regularly to get rid of bacteria that causes acne and avoid heavy make-up. 7. Once in a while, bi-monthly maybe, you need to give your skin a treat. Lay your hands on different facial masks. Try a variety of recipes to unclog your pores, open and absorb the various nutrients and benefits of the mask. You could start with something as little as honey. Honey has tons of anti-bacterial, healing and moisturizing properties that are of optimum benefit to the skin. It should be a staple. Did I also add that it’s the best natural remedy for acne? Consistent use will heal and fade acne scars. 8. Stress and/or sleep deprivation also lead to break-outs. You need to get at least 7 hours of sleep daily to avoid breaking out unnecessarily. 9. Don’t pick and burst pimples. Keep your fingers off your face. Dirty fingers obviously carry germs that lead to acne. Try as much as possible to avoid touching your face all the time. 10. Some hair products leave residues that cause acne. Keep your hair off your face to avoid spreading the products that might clog your skin. Do away with products that you’re reacting negatively to. These habits might look daunting but trust me, it’s better to prevent acne than combat it because it could get frustrating. Start with a simple regimen that incorporates all I’ve listed above. You don’t have to go overboard or buy expensive products that might not even be useful or you’re allergic to. Open your kitchen cabinet and start from there. These little things go a long way and are often times more efficient in preventing and treating acne. It’s also not about starting and giving up after a while, you need to be able to maintain that lifestyle. Apart from the fact that you’re aiming for an acne-free skin, you’re also working towards clear and healthy skin overall.                   About the author: Ebun Oluwole is a creative writer and lifestyle blogger who bares her thoughts at ebunoluwole.com.