Have an important interview tomorrow but a pimple’s just appeared on your chin? Are you about to get married and crave a flawless complexion for your big day? Are you just tired of dealing with breakouts, and would love to wake up to clear skin for once? You’re in luck. Here are 10 easy and proven ways to get clear skin, overnight:
1. Wash your face
All that grime and makeup that has accumulated on your skin during the day is only waiting to cause a breakout. Don’t let that happen. Wash your face every night with a mild cleanser like Tata Harpers Rejuvenating Cleanser before you go to bed, if you have super sensitive skin try the latest amazing makeup remover – Micellar water and stash some cleansing wipes in your bathroom for those nights when you’re too tired to even move.
2. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Hydration is the key to clear and glowy skin. When it gets dry, skin compensates by producing more oil, which inevitably leads to breakouts. So, always slather on a moisturizer formulated for your skin type after washing your face. Always.
3. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate
If you crave clear skin, exfoliation isn’t optional. Glycolic and salicylic acid get rid of all the dead cells that accumulate on the skin and clog pores. Plus, they make skin glow. Goodbye pimples, and hello, radiant, clear skin!
4. Enjoy a mini facial with sheet masks
Sheet masks are mini facials for the skin. My favourites contain snail mucin. It hydrates skin, heals it, and fights breakouts and wrinkles. Apply the mask (try Tony Moly Age-Defying Snail Hydro-Gel Face Mask Sheet), wait 15 minutes, take it off, and go to bed. You’ll wake up with silky smooth, clear, and radiant skin.
5. Soak up excess oil with clay
Oily skin? Soak up all that excess oil overnight with a good clay mask. It’ll keep your pores clean and breakouts at bay. I’m a big fan of Elizavecca Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask. It’s fun to use (it forms tiny bubbles all over your face), and very gentle.
6. Treat, don’t pick
As tempting as it is to pick pimples, don’t. That’ll only inflame your skin further. Instead, stop that pimple in its tracks with a good spot treatment. The best ones, like Paula’s Choice Clear Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide, contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to kill bacteria and clean out pores.
7. Go natural with tea tree oil
The idea of treating pimples with harsh, but effective, chemicals doesn’t appeal to you? Go natural with tea tree oil. Pure, 100% tea tree oil can get rid of zits as well, and is a lot less irritating.
8. Irritated skin? Soothe it with oats
Did you know that colloidal oatmeal has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant properties? Next time your skin acts up and gets red, turn to oats. You can find them in the Apotheke Oat Mask.
9. Fight acne with retinol
Retinol is not just a powerful wrinkle-buster. It can kick acne away too. Apply a pea-sized amount on your skin before going to bed (never in the morning; sunlight deactivates it!), and follow up with your favourite moisturizer. You’ll soon see what a huge difference it makes!
10. Clock in the hours
Lack of sleep wreaks havoc on your skin. A good night’s sleep, instead, gives it time to heal and rejuvenate itself. The result? Clearer, brighter skin (and no dark circles in sight!).