How To Get Clear Skin: 11 Tips for Clearer-Looking Skin

Whether you have acne-prone skin or only deal with the occasional blemish, knowing how to get clear skin is likely one of your beauty goals. Social media is flooded with advice and claims from influencers sharing their best tips for clear skin. Their skin wins may be helpful and inspiring to hear, but try to avoid comparison: there’s no one-size-fits-all solution where skincare is concerned.

The ideal approach includes following a skincare routine optimized for your skin type, using the right products for you, and following healthy, hygiene-forward habits. Regardless of what you do, sometimes breakouts are unavoidable. While we can’t tell you how to get clear skin fast, we can share insider secrets and sage advice on how to have clear skin over time. Keep reading on how you can work towards your best complexion yet.

What Is Clear Skin?

Let’s get this out of the way: while clear skin is a fantastic goal, it’s also amazing to celebrate your skin no matter your complexion type. We’ve all had our share of breakouts, and there is no reason to hide it. That said, if you’re hoping to clear things up (quite literally), you’ve come to the right place.

When people refer to clear skin, they’re usually referencing a blemish-free complexion without pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. It can also refer to skin with an even tone, smooth texture, lack of fine lines or deep wrinkles, no dark spots, and invisible pores. Unless you have a magic wand to filter your face IRL, this isn’t an instantly achievable list. There’s no quick fix for getting glass-like skin. However, there are habits, products, and other things you can do to help promote healthy-looking and healthy-feeling skin.

11 Tips for Clear Skin

Your skincare routine, the products you use, and your daily habits can all influence your skin’s appearance. So if you’re wondering how to get clear skin, keep reading—we’re sharing 11 of our top tips below.

1. Remove makeup at night

According to the Mayo Clinic, blemishes (such as whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples) form when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin. Though plenty of makeup is formulated to be non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog your pores), not all of it is. So if clearer skin is your goal, start by ensuring you’re removing your makeup each night before hitting the sheets.

You can follow the popular double cleansing method to remove your makeup or reach for makeup-removing wipes, such as L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Wet Cleansing Towelettes, which removes makeup and provides gentle exfoliation to reveal smoother, brighter-looking skin.

2. Cleanse your face morning and night

After removing your makeup, it’s a good idea to wash your face a second time with a dedicated facial cleanser. This helps remove any lingering debris and preps your skin for your nighttime skincare routine. But even if you hit the pillow with clean skin, sweat and oil may build up while you’re getting that beauty sleep. That’s why the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends cleansing twice daily: once upon waking and once before bed (you may also opt to wash your face after a sweaty workout). Look for a gentle face wash, such as the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser, which contains vitamin C and helps brighten the skin.

If you’re on the go, toss makeup-removing wipes or micellar water in your bag so you can easily swipe away sweat after a workout or steamy commute.

3. Wash your makeup brushes regularly

Your face isn’t the only place that needs cleaning—show your makeup brushes some love, as well. Think about it: if you use your brushes daily, dirt and oil from your skin can transfer to the bristles. And according to the AAD, this residue is the ideal breeding ground for breakout-causing bacteria. Experts recommend washing your makeup brushes every seven to 10 days with warm water and a gentle shampoo. Following this simple clear skin tip can help keep breakouts at bay—and with a clean brush, your makeup will apply more evenly, too.

4. Opt for gentle exfoliation

Exfoliating consistently can help remove dead skin cells and give the skin a brighter, smoother, and overall clearer apperarance. But it’s important to use the right exfoliation method for your skin—an overzealous approach could leave you with red, irritated skin, especially if you’re prone to sensitivity.

If you’re new to exfoliation, consider swapping out your morning face cleanser for one that offers mild exfoliation. Our pick: L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleanser. It contains both glycolic acid (an alpha-hydroxy acid) and salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid) and helps resurface the skin for a clearer, brighter appearance. Alternatively, try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 5% Glycolic Acid Peeling Toner—the gentle, alcohol-free formula is suitable for all skin types and can be used daily.

5. Target skin concerns with serums

Acne, dark spots, and dullness are all common skin concerns that can stand in the way between you and the clear skin you’re dreaming of. While these skin concerns are normal and nothing to be ashamed of, you can address them with a concentrated serum packed with skin-loving ingredients.

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to choosing a serum, we’re sharing some of our favorites below. You can use multiple serums, however, be mindful of layering active ingredients (such as AHAs and retinol) at the same time. If you’re not sure how and when to cocktail products, consult with your dermatologist.

For dark spots

Target dark spots (such as sun spots or post-acne marks) with the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal 12% [Niacinamide + Amino Sulfonic + Ferulic Acid] Dark Spot Serum. This dermatologist-validated serum helps gently exfoliate skin surface cells and helps fade the appearance of dark spots and discolorations. The non-greasy formula is suitable for all skin types and can be used daily for fresher, clearer-looking skin with continued use.

For dullness

Those tackling dull-looking skin and enlarged pores can try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 12% Pure Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum. The lightweight formula with salicylic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin E helps minimize the appearance of pores, reduce fine lines, and even skin tone—paving the way to youthful-looking clear skin.

For fine lines and wrinkles

Retinol has many benefits, one being that it helps promote clear skin. If you want to try the potent ingredient, consider adding the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives Night Serum, 0.3% Pure Retinol serum to your evening skincare routine. The anti-aging serum helps smooth, refine, and visibly brighten the skin, all without the drying effects that retinol can sometimes have. If you’re new to retinol, we suggest introducing this serum into your routine every other night. Once your skin acclimates, you can move up to nightly usage.

For dryness

Clear skin can sometimes be disturbed by wrinkles and fine lines that come from dehydration. To help hydrate your skin and promote a glowing appearance, pick up the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum. You can use it alone for intense hydration or layer it under your other serums for an added boost of moisture.

6. Keep your skin moisturized

If oiliness and acne are your concerns, it may seem like a good idea to skip the moisturizer and let your skin dry out a bit. However, this may have the opposite effect. According to the AAD, dehydrated skin may produce more oil to compensate, and this overproduction of oil can result in clogged pores and blemishes.

Instead, seek out a non-greasy moisturizer for hydration without any unnecessary weight. We love the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream for day and the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Pressed Night Moisturizer with Retinol + Niacinamide for night. Both formulas are lightweight, fragrance-free, and suitable for all skin types.

7. Wear sunscreen every day

Spending prolonged periods in the sun without proper protection can damage your skin and lead to visible signs of aging down the road. To protect your skin, add a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your daily routine.

Try the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion, which offers SPF 50 protection against UVA and UVB rays in a lightweight, non-greasy formula.

Keep in mind that you should always take additional sun protection measures as well, per the AAD. Limit your time in the sun (especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., which are peak hours), seek shade, and cover up exposed areas in long sleeves, pants, a broad-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses.

8. Use non-comedogenic products

You may have seen the word non-comedogenic printed on beauty products, but you might not realize what it means. Clogged pores are also known as comedones, and if a product is non-comedogenic, it means that using it won’t clog your pores.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, using makeup and skincare labeled “non-comedogenic” is less likely to clog pores. This switch can help prevent breakouts and manage current acne flare-ups, so you can get that clear skin look.

9. Avoid picking your face

Most of these clear skin tips focus on what you should do, but it’s also important to know what to avoid. And one of the most common habits that can interfere with clear skin is picking at your blemishes. According to Cleveland Clinic, popping your pimples (or trying to) so can transfer bacteria from your hands and nails into your skin. This can irritate the skin, worsen the appearance of your breakouts, or even lead to scarring. Instead, we suggest stocking up on clear skin products like acne spot treatments or pimple patches and using them as needed to address stubborn spots.

10. Get plenty of sleep

Sleeping isn’t just great for your mind—it’s important for healthy-looking skin, too. When you sleep, your skin works to repair damage from stressors it comes into contact with throughout the day. Skimping on the Zs can interfere with this important process, leaving you with a dull or lackluster appearance. Not sleeping enough can affect the hormones that are related to acne—and not in a positive way, according to this study.

The Mayo Clinic recommends aiming for about seven hours of sleep per night. To ensure you get the best rest possible, try to avoid screens a few hours before bed, stop drinking liquids (so you don’t have to get up and use the restroom), and keep your bedroom dark and cool (around 68 degrees). We also love white noise sound machines and a silk eyemask for a dreamier environment.

11. Visit a dermatologist

As we mentioned earlier, there is no one-size-fits all answer to the question “how do you get clear skin?” So if you’ve implemented these clear skin tips and still aren’t seeing the results you want, consider consulting a dermatologist. They can help get to the root of your skincare woes and work with you to develop a plan that suits your unique needs.

Next Up: Why Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid Are a Skincare Power Duo