A glowing and clear complexion is something that we all want, but there are so many things that can get in the way of having healthy-looking skin. Fortunately, you can easily support a smooth and clear-looking complexion with some simple steps—that don’t require a lot of money or an extensive skincare routine. 

There are countless skincare products and treatments on the market, but we’ll help you figure out where to start and what changes to make.

1. Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough water is not only essential for your body but for your skin as well. Even if you don’t have a history of dry skin, your skin can look dry and dull when you are dehydrated, which may cause fine lines and wrinkles to be more visible. 

So fill that water bottle up every day, multiple times a day. Water intake needs vary from person to person, depending on their lifestyle, but a good rule to keep in mind is that men should try to drink about 15½ cups of water daily, and women should try to drink 11½ cups of water. 

That may sound like a lot, but you can also include other foods and drinks (alcohol doesn’t count) towards this intake. Just another good reason to incorporate a lot of fruits and veggies into your diet, as they are composed of mainly water. 

With ample water intake, your skin will look more hydrated from the inside out. Your skin’s elasticity will increase, and any healing will be faster. Toxins will be flushed out, and your skin tone will look even and radiant.

2. Catch Those ZZZs

A good night’s sleep is crucial for your mind, body, and skin. A lack of sleep can make your skin look tired and dull. Not to mention, when you are sleep-deprived, your body produces more cortisol. 

Usually, a rare event of sleep deprivation isn’t enough to cause any effects on the skin. However, the more sleep-deprived you are, the longer cortisol can stay active and wreak havoc on your skin, emphasizing the appearance of circles and dark spots. 

Additionally, the more sleep-deprived you are, the more likely you will experience stress. When you lack sleep and add stress, your body compensates by producing hormones, like cortisol, so you can cope more easily.

Cortisol can increase inflammation, causing redness. Sebum production can increase, causing the skin to produce more oil. This can clog your pores and lead to breakouts. 

Your skin’s barrier can weaken, making it more susceptible to damage from the sun, pollution, and other environmental factors. As you can see, getting the right amount of sleep helps you feel refreshed and less stressed, and your skin will thank you too. Aim to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep to help your skin repair and regenerate itself. 

If you have problems sleeping, look at your bedtime routine. Creating a relaxing and consistent bedtime routine will help you wind down and sleep better. This may consist of making a cup of non-caffeinated tea, running through your evening skincare routine, and reading before sleeping. 

Easier said than done, but avoid scrolling on your phone as you lay down to sleep. The blue light from your phone screen can throw your circadian rhythm off, making it harder to fall asleep and wake up. 

3. Cleanse Your Face Regularly 

Cleaning your skin is one of the most important parts of your skincare routine. Our faces are exposed to dirt, oil, and other environmental factors like smoke and pollution throughout the day. These impurities, dead skin cells, and makeup left on overnight can build up and clog pores, leading to breakouts. 

Using a gentle cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils is important. Our Cleansing Stick is the perfect cleanser suitable for any skin type. 

It dissolves makeup and other impurities without stripping the skin of essential oils like some face wash can, leaving your face feeling smooth and clean. Ideally, you’ll want to cleanse your face twice daily—once in the morning and once in the evening. 

This will prep your skin for skincare products or makeup. A clean surface allows products to work more effectively and sit on your face as they should.

4. Moisturize Daily

Keeping your skin moisturized is key to achieving a healthy, glowing complexion. Dryness can make your skin look dull and flakey, accentuating the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A daily moisturizer can help hydrate your skin and keep it looking plump and radiant. 

Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, sensitive skin, or a combination of these skin types, at Jones Road Beauty, we have a moisturizer that will give your skin a refreshing sip of hydration. 

If you need a more lightweight moisturizer, look to our Light Moisture Cream. This gel-moisturizer hybrid will be quickly absorbed by your skin. And for those looking for rich and intense hydration, our Miracle Cream will refresh your skin and plump up any dry areas.

If you have super dry spots or need a little extra moisture, our Oil Stick is perfect as a spot treatment. Don’t forget about your eyes—our Eye Cream will moisturize the delicate skin around your eyes. 

Other Tips for Improved Skin Complexion

While lifestyle changes and incorporating high-quality products will help your skin’s complexion, there are a few quick changes that you can make to help speed up the process of improving your skin.

Use a Clean Pillowcase

One quick change to implement is to ensure your pillowcase is clean. A dirty pillowcase can cause acne by transferring dirt, oil, and bacteria from your hair and face to your skin overnight. 

With your face touching your pillowcase for seven to eight hours daily, you’ll want this surface to be clean and free of irritants. Change your pillowcase every night or every other night. 

To ensure that your detergent isn’t causing any irritation, use a mild detergent with no added dyes or fragrances. Use a pillowcase made from breathable fabric, like cotton or linen. Additionally, if you have longer hair, put it in a loose ponytail before bed. 

Clean Your Cell Phone

Do you experience more blemishes on one side of your face? And does it happen to be the same side you hold your phone against? If you talk on your phone a good deal during the day, that might be a culprit in causing acne. 

Cell phones are one of the dirtiest objects that we handle on a day-to-day basis. A study conducted by the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation found that your cell phone is about 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat. 

Now you can see how putting your phone up to your face every day can spread bacteria that can cause inflammation and acne. To help combat this, clean your phone regularly. Use an alcohol wipe or damp cloth with an alcohol-based disinfectant cleaner. 

Additionally, try to keep your phone away from your face as much as possible. You can simply hold your phone away from your cheek or use your speakerphone or headphones more.

Avoid Touching Your Face

You may not realize how often you touch your face during the day, but this can total up to 23 times per hour, according to a study in the American Journal of Infection Control. Resist the urge to pick your skin or rest your face on your hands.

Layer on the SPF

Sunscreen is essential as part of your skincare routine to promote your skin’s complexion long-term. Since sun damage from UV rays can become apparent years after, it’s important to start implementing sun protection into your routine now. 

In addition to sunscreen lotions and other SPF-packed skin care, wearing a hat, monitoring your time in the sun, and staying near the shade can help limit your skin’s sun exposure. 

Use High-Quality Skincare Products

One of the best ways to support your skin’s health and wellness is by using high-quality ingredients and skincare products. Skincare containing vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant, Vitamin A, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, and retinoids like retinol are popular choices. 

Skincare products rich in fatty acids can also help promote the body’s natural collagen production, supporting a brightening effect and the appearance of an even skin tone. 

Quick Fixes for Long-Lasting Results

Those with amazing complexions may seem to have an intensive and lengthy skincare routine. While that may be true for some, most of us don’t have the time for that. 

However, great skin complexions come from being consistent and using effective products, and you don’t need many products to see fast improvements.

Here at Jones Road Beauty, we pride ourselves on creating clean makeup and skincare products that are effective and versatile. Put these fixes into place, and you’ll see a noticeable improvement in your complexion in no time.