5 Steps to Clearer Skin

No matter what age you are, if your skincare routine and lifestyle habits aren’t up to par it will be immediately noticeable in your looks. Whilst women seem to have honed their skincare routines to a T, many men quickly splash their face with cold water, slap on some E45 and go. Big mistake - skin is a living, breathing organism and it needs a bit of TLC to look it’s best.

It’s not rocket science - here’s our 5 steps to clearer skin and a fresher looking face…

1. Adopt a skincare routine Unfortunately outbreaks can happen at any age so when it comes to skincare, prevention is better than cure. Consistency is the name of the game so adopt a quality skincare routine and stick to it.

A splash of cold water in the morning might wake you up but it’s important to cleanse your face properly to remove dirt, sebum and impurities and rejuvenate and condition your skin. A good cleanser such as the Australian BodyCare Facial Wash used both in the morning and before bed will cleanse and purify the skin, leaving it fresh and clean without stripping it of essential oils.

For a deeper clean try using an exfoliating facial scrub such as SuperScrub by King of Shaves once or twice a week. The micro-particles and natural fruit extracts in a quality scrub gently buff away excess oil, dirt and dead skin (which could otherwise build up and clog your pores, causing spots and blackheads) and stimulate the growth of new fresh skin cells, leaving your face clear and smooth. Exfoliating your skin regularly also helps in providing a closer shave; removing dead skin that could clog your razor, lifting stubble and preventing ingrown hairs.

Post-cleanse, apply a quality moisturiser to seal in moisture, keep your skin soft and supple and reduce the signs of ageing. Choose a good quality cream or lotion specially formulated for masculine facial use, such as the Gillette Series Double Action After Shave Moisturiser, which contains Vitamin B and E and Pro-Vitamin B5 to condition and nourish the skin. It’s also a good idea to go for a formula which includes SPF15 or higher to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays which speed up the aging process.

2. Eat and drink well What you put into your body has a huge impact on your looks. If you eat and drink badly it will show in your skin within a few days.

For clear-looking skin, hydration is the name of the game. Water flushes your skin of toxins and free radicals, promotes restoration and keeps skin hydrated and supple. You should be aiming to drink the recommended 8 glasses of water per day, even more if you’re also drinking alcohol or coffee which are dehydrating. Not only will your skin feel much more hydrated, but you will also reduce patches of dry skin and the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines.

The food you eat will also have a clear impact on your skin. High-sugar diets cause inflammation, which can lead to breakouts so limit processed foods, cakes and soft drinks and watch out for hidden sugars in cereals, sauces, and protein bars. Instead go for unprocessed carbs, lean protein and lots and lots of veg.

3. Get moving Exercising regularly keeps fresh blood pumping around your body, improving your circulation and ensuring oxygen reaches every pore, keeping wrinkles at bay and keeping skin fresh and clear. Exercise also helps your body maintain healthy levels of cortisol and collagen making you feel and look better so grab your bag and hit the gym as often as you can.

Make sure you thoroughly wash your face after any physical exertion to wash all traces of stale sweat and grease off your skin reducing the risk of blocked pores and pimples.

4. Rest and relax In this day and age stress and stressful situations are almost impossible to avoid completely. Long commutes, 12-hour workdays and heavy workloads don’t just affect your mood; stress wreaks havoc on your skin, too. Stress throws hormone levels into flux, which damages healthy skin cells, makes you more prone to breakouts and causes premature skin ageing. Make sure you build time into your schedule to rest, relax and recharge and if you suffer from stress and anxiety get some advice on stress busting techniques.

Clocking the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep will also help keep you looking and feeling top of your game. Sleeping gives your skin the chance to recover from the day’s wear and tear and reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and breakouts.

5. Kick the habit Smoking is bad for your heart, lungs and brain, and damages your looks, causing under eye bags, yellow teeth, thinning hair and premature ageing. Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide, which displaces the oxygen in your skin, and nicotine, which reduces blood flow, leaving skin dry and discoloured, gaunt and with a dull, grey appearance. For clear skin cigarettes has to go.