How to Get Clear Skin

Acne struggles? Solved.

Our secret to a clear complexion: Finding your perfect skin care regimen. But anti-acne routines aren’t one-size-fits-all, so we’re here to help guide you to clear, glowing skin with a few tips and tricks. First, let’s start with the basics (aka things you should do every day and night).

Step 1

Prep Always, always remove your makeup. We love cleansing oil or micellar water for this—both are gentle and effective.Treat with care. Skin is delicate! Gently remove makeup with a cotton ball or pad. Plus, cleansing wipes are a quick and easy way to remove makeup in one step—perfect for when you’re on the go or too tired to make it through your skin care routine (we know it happens).

Step 2

Cleanse A twice-daily must. Cleanse for 30–45 seconds—once before bed to remove the day’s buildup and once in the morning for a fresh start. Be sure to choose the right cleanser for your skin type, from oily to dry and everything in between. Easy does it. When drying, pat—don’t rub.

Step 3

Treat First, use a toner to remove remaining impurities and balance pH levels so your skin better absorbs products. Follow with an anti-acne treatment containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to remove acne bacteria and prevent breakouts. For breakouts, apply an anti-acne spot treatment to the affected area.

Step 4

Hydrate Skin hydration is an important step in having clear skin, but choosing the right moisturizer is tricky. Lotions and mists are great for normal skin. Oil-free moisturizers are best for oily and acne-prone skin. Try a cream or oil-based product for dry and sensitive skin. Remember to be patient—it takes time and trial to find your match.

Step 5

Protect with SPF If your daytime moisturizer doesn’t already contain SPF, apply a light layer of face sunscreen—even in the winter. This helps protect you from sun damage, which also helps anti-aging efforts.Don’t sweat it. There are different sunscreen types for different skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin.

The ExtrasMore ways to boost your skin care routine.

Facial Serums

Aka your skin care hero. Serums are powerful, water-based treatments made from ingredient concentrates, and include dermatologist-recommended ingredients like vitamin C and retinol. Use before you moisturize.

Facial Exfoliants

Exfoliating removes layers of dead skin cells, oil and dirt—and it totally rocks. Be sure to cleanse first so you have a clean, ready-to-be-cleared canvas. Don’t overdo it—exfoliate 1–2 times a week.

Beauty Face Masks

Facial treatment masks provide all kinds of intensive skin care benefits. Choose from sheet masks to balance and brighten, cream masks to moisturize and soothe, mud masks to cleanse and clarify, and peel-off masks to remove impurities.