We may associate skin flare-ups with our teenage years but as many women know, these bugbears can last well beyond the days of GCSEs and WKD-fuelled house parties. Although a solid skincare routine is crucial, there are additional steps you can take to help keep your skin in check.
From choosing the right makeup and skincare products to switching up your pillowcase and incorporating facial massage into your nighttime routine, here are five R29-approved clear skin tips worth trying.
Switch to non-comedogenic makeup
Some of the makeup we use could be making our skin worse. Yep, unfortunately various foundations or concealers can actually block pores and increase the chance of blemishes. There is a solution, though. Enter: non-comedogenic makeup. These are smart products that are much less likely to clog pores, making them ideal for those prone to breakouts. While there are a number of ingredients classified as comedogenic, the easiest way to sort the wheat from the chaff is by looking for products specifically advertised as non-comedogenic. We love NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, £35, Vichy Dermablend Fluid Corrective Foundation, £20, and Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup, £28.50.
Clean your tools
Makeup brushes and sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria. Every single time you apply your makeup with one of these tools they pick up oil, dead skin cells, bacteria and dust, which is then spread on to your face the next time you use them – pretty gross, right? Unsurprisingly, this increases the chances of blocked pores and spots. To avoid this, make sure to wash your makeup brushes and sponges with warm water and shampoo or liquid soap at least once a week. While you’re at it, don’t forget about your smartphone, too. Research suggests smartphones carry three times more germs than a toilet seat, so make sure you’re cleaning your device with a phone-friendly wipe.
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Cleanse both morning and evening
Cleansing is the cornerstone of any good skincare regime but it’s even more important if you have combination skin or are prone to breakouts. Look for formulas containing tea tree oil and skin-calming witch hazel, such as Boots' Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Foaming Face Wash, £4.19. When these two powerhouse ingredients are combined, they’re a force to be reckoned with. Gentle enough to use every day, this cleanser leaves skin satisfyingly clean without over-drying it, ready for the next steps in your regime.
Invest in a silk pillowcase
'Beauty sleep' isn’t reserved for fairy tales. Thanks to circadian rhythm (our body's internal clock), experts argue that nighttime is generally when our skin is in active repair mode. To give your skin the best possible chance of recovery, sleep with a silk pillowcase. Unlike cotton, which is highly absorbent, silk actually helps control sebum production. In the same vein, a silk pillowcase is much less likely to soak up the products you’ve put on your face, meaning they will work even more productively.
Make time for a facial massage
Chances are, you’ve probably spotted the Instagram-worthy jade roller in countless #shelfies already. But they are worth so much more than their flat-lay potential, because the ancient Chinese tool packs a serious skincare punch. Offering a cool and smooth surface that produces a more effective massage than simply using your hands, it encourages fluid tissue circulation, reducing puffiness. The result? Brighter, clearer and more glowy skin. Use every evening for 2-3 minutes after you’ve applied your nighttime skincare regime, rolling outwards and upwards.
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