Everyone wants clear, healthy skin but many of us think it takes a lengthy daily routine to achieve it. We've all read about people who use a battalion of expensive lotions and ointments on their skin and we may wish we had the time and money to do the same. The good news is that it takes very little time and money to achieve the same healthy, clear and glowing skin that we envy in others!



The first and most important element of clear skin is regular cleansing. Clean skin rarely is infected with acne and contributes to our general health. By washing the face at least twice a day with a gentle cleanser, you'll maintain healthy skin with good circulation and clear pores. Be careful about using astringents, however. By drying up too much oil in your skin, it will compensate by producing more and start a vicious cycle that will likely produce the acne you're trying so hard to avoid.

Makeup is another enemy of clear skin. Despite what commercials tell you about makeup promoting healthy skin, it does just the opposite. It merely produces the illusion of a healthy complexion while clogging your pores with chemicals and unnatural substances. Occasional use of makeup probably won't hurt your skin much if you cleanse it well before and afterward but if you want to maintain clear and healthy skin, makeup should be avoided like a plague.

Your diet plays a significant role in keeping your skin clear and healthy. Drinking enough water hydrates and moistens the skin and improves circulation. Carbonated beverages (pop, soda, etc.) are acidic and upset the natural balance of your skin as well as flooding your body with acid and upsetting your natural pH balance. Because of the acid in soda, the facial skin will produce more oil to compensate for the loss of moisture.

Your pores have a greater chance of becoming clogged and infected when your face produces excess oil. Eating more vegetables rich in anti-oxidants will probably do more for your skin than anything else you could do. Any brightly colored vegetable or fruit such as apples, peppers, broccoli, squash and carrots will improve the skin's absorption of the oxygen it needs to be healthy and stay smooth and fresh.

Moisturizing your skin is another important key to keeping it clear and healthy. A water-based moisturizer will discourage the production of oils that are meant to moisten and protect the face, and that means less oil to block the pores and cause acne. A good moisturizer prevents your skin from drying out as well has keeping it hydrated and supple.

It only takes a few minutes a day to cleanse and moisturize your skin. Those two things will practically insure you a clear and healthy complexion. By eating the proper foods and avoiding acidic beverages, you'll further assure that your face stays clear and your body healthy.