Whether you have clear skin or you struggle with acne, there are ways to maintain and improve your skin. However, these tips are  generalized and may not work for everyone, but are worth a try.

Sunlight

Vitamin D can be very beneficial to your skin, but too much sun can lead to a sunburn. So, when you know you will be spending more time outside, wear sunscreen. According to www.aveeno.com, the sun can benefit your health as well as skin, “great skin may have a massive impact on your outward appearance, but it starts from within. Moderate sun exposure is associated with all kinds of health benefits, so don’t be afraid to enjoy the benefits of the sun.”

Soap

Not everyone has to have an elaborate skin care routine that consists of multiple steps. A good bar of soap and a rag followed by some moisturizer has been proven to be very effective. “Using a clean, soft washcloth is effective for cleaning your face, but unless you use a new one every day, you should probably stick with using your hands to scrub, Dr. Green says. Also, ideally, you should change the towel you use to dry your face every couple of days to keep bacteria at bay,” stated www.thehealthy.com. 

Exfoliate

Every now and then a good exfoliation is a great idea. Too much exfoliation can cause your skin to dry out, so try and take time in between each exfoliating sesion. www.byride.com reported  that at home exfoliation can tone and brighten your skin. “AHAs (alpha hydroxy acid) and BHAs ( beta hydroxy acid) are popular in dermatology clinics but are also formulated to be used in at-home exfoliating treatments to reveal brighter and more even-toned skin.”

Remove your makeup

 Do not sleep in your makeup. Take it off and clean your face daily and give your skin a break. Too much time in makeup may cause pimples and clogged pores. “It’s been said a million and one times, but effectively removing makeup is the gateway to clearer, healthier skin. When makeup is removed, the skin becomes a clean canvas ready to absorb the product. An easy tip is to clean your face as soon as you get in the door instead of waiting right before you go to bed. Just as you are dying to get out of your constricting work clothes, skin desperately wants to rid itself of pore-clogging debris and pollution! We like to use gentle cleansing oil as a first step,” advise  CEOs of Glow Recipe, Sarah Lee and Christine Chang.

Moisturizer

A good moisturizer can be a key component to healthier skin whether it is just coconut oil or a compound moisturizer mentioned by Vermén Verallo-Rowell, MD,“Moisturizers help our skin barrier by providing lipids, protecting from external chemicals, and providing water to our sometimes parched skin. My all-time favorite moisturizer is, of course, virgin coconut oil.” 

Diet

Sometimes certain foods can cause skin breakouts, such as dairy if you are lactose intolerant. “Your skin acts as an excretory system to get rid of substances that don’t agree with your body.  In the case of dairy, it is mucus-forming and can be difficult for the body digest—which is why many people are lactose intolerant. So when you get too much dairy for your body to digest, it may come out in the form of cystic acne (hard, painful bumps under the skin) on the chin and jawline area. The consumption of milk, cheese, and yogurt may become factors that influence endogenous hormones and mimic the hormones that trigger oil production in the skin to ignite the acne process.”

Find a cleanser that suits your skin

 If you know you have more sensitive skin, use a sensitive formula so that way your face will not get dried out from the regular formula. If your skin is more oily try to get one that may dry out the oil (if that is what you want) and if you are dryer, get a moisturizing formula. Finding the product right for your skin is very important, otherwise you may have more breakouts from skin irritation states www.goodhousekeeping.com. 

Obviously some of these can not apply to everyone because everyone’s skin is different, but there are plenty of ways to help your skin, and above are just a few. Make sure to do your research on certain products before using them and check for more tips before finding a routing that is right for you. As well as, testing products on the back of your hand prior to applying it to your face just in case it causes skin irritation.