You know that friend who never seems to wash their face, doesn’t use any skincare products, and even goes to bed with makeup on, yet somehow never gets pimples, blackheads, or oily skin? It feels so unfair, right? Well, while genetics do play a big part in determining skin condition, it doesn’t mean we’re stuck with bad skin forever. With the right skincare routine and a bit of patience, most skin issues can be managed quite effectively. We’ll share some helpful tips to tackle impurities and improve your skin.
How can I improve my skin if it’s impure?
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Check Your Hormone Levels
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Sometimes, having too many male hormones (androgens) can cause acne. Your family doctor can do a check-up to see if your hormone levels are okay. This is especially important if you have other symptoms like irregular periods or too much hair growth.
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Get Enough Sleep
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When you sleep, your body fixes any damage to your skin. So, having a good night’s sleep is super important for keeping your skin healthy. Not getting enough sleep can make pimples worse because it causes inflammation in your body.
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Avoid Dairy
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Some dairy products, like cow’s milk, contain proteins that can raise insulin levels and release more male hormones, which can lead to skin problems. Instead of cow’s milk, you can try alternatives like soy, oat, or almond milk. And be careful with protein shakes that have whey in them, they can have the same effect!
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Use the Right Ingredients
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If you have oily skin with impurities, certain ingredients can help. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is good because it fights bacteria, reduces inflammation, and helps shed dead skin cells. Salicylic acid (a type of beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is also great for mild acne as it exfoliates the skin, controls oil production, and cleans out pores. You can also try products with vitamin A (retinol), vitamin C, niacinamide, zinc, or clay.
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Cleanse Twice Daily
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It’s important to wash your face every evening to remove dirt and oil. If you have impure or very oily skin, washing your face again in the morning with a gentle cleanser can be helpful. Overnight, oil and dirt can build up on your skin’s surface, so a morning cleanse can freshen things up.
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Change Pillowcases & Towels Often
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Make sure to change your pillowcases at least two to three times a week. Throughout the night, sweat, oil, makeup residue, and dirt from your hair can collect on your pillow. Changing your facial cleansing towel daily is also a good idea to prevent transferring bacteria and dirt back onto your skin.
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Keep Your Hands Off Your Face
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Try not to touch your face with your fingers too often. Our hands carry a lot of viruses and bacteria that can cause infections and make skin inflammation worse.
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Use Headphones for Phone Calls
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Our cell phones can be really dirty because we touch them all the time. In fact, they can have more bacteria than a toilet seat! Instead of putting your phone against your cheek when you talk, use headphones or speaker mode.
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Clean Your Brushes and Tools
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Make sure to clean your makeup brushes regularly. Powder brushes should be washed twice a week with a mild shampoo, while beauty blenders should be cleaned after each use. You can also boil sponges every now and then to kill bacteria.
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Avoid Alcohol
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Alcohol can dry out your skin, increase oil production, and lead to more pimples and irritation. So, it’s best to avoid it if you want healthier skin. If you’ve ever tried cutting back on alcohol, you might have noticed your skin looking better and feeling fresher!
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