Having clear skin is a blessing – it’s like when you start to feel better after having a cold, and you’re relishing in the new-found appreciation you have for your body and for being healthy again. However, when it comes to the skin, these moments can be fleeting or under-appreciated because often times, we aren’t happy with our skin or think that it’s ‘not clear enough’. This is why treatments to get clear skin have always been popular in our clinic.
At 111, we see many patients struggling with problematic, blemish-prone or acneic skin – and while we don’t claim to be dermatologists – we have treated enough patients and seen enough skin to know exactly how to manage breakouts, calm inflammation and get you onto the path to clearer skin.
What does clear skin look like?
Clear skin can be characterised by skin that has few imperfections such as blemishes, inflammation or pigmentation. Clear skin can also be synonymous with poreless skin: a complexion void of stretched pores.
While having completely flawless skin can be unrealistic, we can help you achieve a visible improvement in your skin’s tone, texture and complexion. But first, here are a few at-home recommendations for naturally clearer skin.
How to Clear Skin Naturally
Depending on the frequency and aggressiveness of your breakouts, at-home remedies and lifestyle changes can prove effective.
If you notice your skin starting to break out, make a mental note of any changes to your diet or what comes into contact with your skin: you may need to review your skincare or washing detergent, and be more diligent when it comes to washing the things that touch the face, such as pillowcases, flannels and towels, etc.
Diet-wise, below are some food groups that have been commonly known to affect the skin:
– Dairy: most people with acne will say they avoid / have cut-out diary from their diet and have noticed improvements in their skin’s complexion and aggression. Due to the high levels of hormones found in dairy products – such as prolactin and steroids including estrogens, progesterone, corticoids, and androgens – they have been known to disrupt the skin’s natural balance, which may already sensitive.
– Spicy foods: for people that have rosacea or find their skin reddening easily – spicy foods can trigger a flush. This is because as rosacea is affected my temperature changes, so when you ingest spicy foods, this raises your core body temperature and causes blood to rush to the skin’s surface. So, this is another food group to avoid if redness if a concern for you.
– Highly processed foods and alcohol: both are known to create inflammation within the body which then can present itself on the skin. Skin inflammation is often called dermatitis: however, it occurs alongside many skin conditions such as eczema, acne and rosacea.
Below are some foods to eat for clear skin:
Foods rich in antioxidants can help to promote better skin health, and general healthy eating and exercise overall can make you feel good from within and may improve your mental relationship you have with your skin. We have made quick lists of each to inspire your next food shopping trip.
– Which fruits for clear skin? Tomatoes can lycopene which can help to control sebum production as they the natural acidity of them helps to stabilise the skin’s pH. Other fruits for clear skin would be: grapefruit, watermelon, berries which are high in vitamins and lycopene.
– Which carbs for clear skin? Quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, sweet potatoes.
– Which veggies for clear skin? Red cabbage, green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and kale.
– Which proteins for clear skin? Salmon and tuna, which are high in omega-3s. Lentils and beans are a great meat-free alternative for protein
– Which liquids for clear skin: Water, green tea – which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties – and coconut water, as it’s high in lauric acid that helps in fighting against skin infections.
Which vitamins for clear skin?
Supplements – when taken daily – can be beneficial in promoting good skin health. Probiotics to help balance the gut and the skin’s microbiome as some research has shown a link between an unhealthy gut and skin irritations.
Most packs of multi-vitamins will be beneficial too, but some superstar vitamins would be:
– Vitamin C which is an antioxidant and plays a vital role in skin health.
– Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) is also important in improving the skin’s barrier and function helping to strengthen and prevent breakouts.
– Vitamin A has been known to help regulate oil production which can be beneficial in reducing the symptoms of acne
– Zinc helps to alleviate inflammation in the body, so this can help rosacea, acne and dermatitis.
Which cleanser for clear skin?
Skincare can be one of the main causes of breakouts which is why we think less is more when it comes to skincare. An easy and maintainable routine we recommend to our patients who have sensitive skin or a comprised skin barrier would be a gentle cleanser, serum and SPF.
Using cleansers such as 111SKIN’s Exfoliating Enzyme Cleanser, or Bioderma or La-Roche Posay products are advised for breakout-prone skin and are gentle enough to clear the skin without causing irritation or further inflammation.
However, if the above tips are not doing anything for your skin, you may need to seek expert help.
How to Clear Skin In-Clinic
Skin inflammation, irritation and blemishes occur when the skin’s barrier becomes compromised, this is why we have a range of treatments to strength and resurface the skin as well as fight against active blemishes.
Our top treatments for Clear Skin
ClearSkin
This is a device that combines light energy and cooling vacuum technology to treat a wide range of blemishes and acne symptoms. This two-pronged approach means that as the light energy kills the bacteria, the vacuum suction then stops the bacteria from spreading further onto the skin as well as reducing congestion and excess oils that are found on the skin’s surface.
Chemical Peels
Chemical Peels will help to improve the appearance of acne scarring, pigmentation and brightness of the skin.
There are many types of peels to choose from, which vary in strength and ingredients depending on the concern you wish to treat. We use the brand Eneerpeel and their range includes the following peels:
– Enerpeel SA: A salicylic acid peel with anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory properties to kill 96% of acne bacteria.
Best for: Acne, oiliness, blocked pores, large pores, post-acne inflammation, chest and back acne, inflamed pustules and papules, inflammation and redness.
Expect: A profound cleansing effect, reduction in sebum and softened lines and wrinkles.
– Enerpeel TCA: A medium to deep peel that contains trichloroacetic acid to remodel the skin and improve skin tone and texture.
Best for: Rough skin texture, uneven skin tone, scarring, ice pick scars, fine lines and wrinkles, and dark spots.
Expect: New skin cell generation for a smoother and more supple complexion.
– Enerpeel JR: A combination of salicylic, resorcinol and lactic acid to target pigmentation.
Best for: Hyperpigmentation, actinic keratosis
Expect: Regulated pigment production. Excellent results when used to treat pigmentation resulting from hormonal changes
– Enerpeel MA: Contains mandelic acid to dissolve dead skin cells and resurface ageing, easily reddened and vascular skin.
Best for: skin redness, spider veins, rosacea, pigmentation and sun damage.
Expect: Reduced redness and a healthy glow restored. Ideal for those at risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
– Enerpeel PA: Uses pyruvic acid to remodel skin and improve rough skin texture. As an alpha-veto acid, this peel helps to repair acne scars and reduces sebum production to prevent further acne formation.
Best for: Rough skin texture, crepey skin, wrinkles, sun damage, and acne scars.
Expect: Smoother skin texture, encourages cell renewal and collagen production, hydrates skin, and even balances sebum production
Potenza RF Microneedling
This is our go-to for clear skin, and alongside treating active blemishes and the scars of old ones, Potenza also helps to tighten the skin, soften the skin and reduce fine lines and blemishes.
Potenza RF Microneedling works by combining both radiofrequency (for skin tightening and deep dermal collagen stimulation) with microneedling (for further collagen stimulation and the improvement of skin tone and texture). With both these trusted methodologies, your skin’s health and overall condition will be heightened.
