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Closer's tips on achieving a flawless complexion and blemish free skin

We’re used to seeing them with flawless skin, rouged cheeks and smoky eyes – but recently many of our favourite stars have ditched the heavy make up and revealed their bare faced look to their fans.
 


While these gorgeous ladies have nothing to hide when it comes to their make up free skin, we don’t all have the luxury of regular facials and expensive products to guarantee us tight pores and a flawless complexion. And we have to admit the idea of sharing a snap of our morning face with thousands of followers is pretty terrifying!


 
So we spoke to Closer's beauty expert Daniela Bellanca and gathered expertise from skincare experts to bring you the definitive guide of how to improve your complexion and get yourself ready for a bare faced reveal you'd be happy to share with the world! 



Blitz the binges
We all love a takeaway or crisps, sweets and a drink after a hard week at work but what is our diet actually doing to our skin?

Caroline Frazer, Simple Skincare Expert says: ‘’Spots can indicate an over consumption of red meat and saturated fats, proteins and alcohol.’’

Treat yourself once a week to a food you love (in moderation), but eat healthy meals at all other times.  Include plenty of fish which contains essential oils to maintain good skin and pack plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables into your diet. Cook from scratch and banish sugar loaded ready meals.

Hello SPF
Every year we are reminded that we should be slapping on the sun cream to protect our skin from the sun, but why?
Fiona Brackenbury, Skincare Expert at Decleor has said ‘’Recent studies show that just one day in the sun can damage our skin cells by 3%, so its important to flood skin with antioxidant-rich products overnight to neutralize free radicals produced by sunlight that can lead to premature lines. 

Daniela says ‘wear a foundation with minimum SPF 15 at all times even if the sun isn’t shining the rays are still damaging’.
 
Get scrubbing
Exfoliating skin gets rid of those dead skin cells that can clog up pores and stop your natural beauty shining through - so exfoliating your skin once a week can help prevent this.

Kate Storey, beautician trainer at Champneys said: ‘It’s an easy way to revitalize your skin, lifting dead cells to leave it fresh and glowing’’
We recommend Burt's Bees Peach and Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub £8.50 (feelunique.com)

Say no to bed-time make-up
It’s easy to forget to do this after a tiring day or a big night out, but sleeping in your makeup can cause all sorts of skin problems.

Dr Dennis Gross, Board certified dermatologist explains:  ‘‘when make up is left on, it could seep deep down into the pores making them clogged and then breakout’’
Investing in the right cleanser if particularly important and Daniela recommends RoC's Multi Correxion Radiance Enhancer Make-up Remover £7.59
 
Get sleeping beauty
Without sleep your skin has no time to repair and hydrate itself, so ensure that you get at least 8 hours a night. It will also improve of the dark circles under your eyes.
 
Boost blood circulation
We hate this word too, but as well as making us super fit and sexy exercising can also help us achieve flawless skin.
Anna Reich, Simple Fitness expert says: ‘‘in the short-term exercise increases the blood flow and circulation, which instantly radiates through your skin providing a clearer complexion, improved skin tone and condition. In the long term, exercise helps build muscle, which produces collagen, and collagen is the key to helping your skin look younger for longer.’’
 
Closer says relax
It’s something that we all suffer from, but too much stress will cause havoc with your skin.
Lisa Donforio, an associate clinical professor of dermatology says ‘’Stress increases the body’s production of hormones such as cortisol, which can make skin oilier and decrease its ability to fight off acne-causing bacteria.’’
So, be sure to take a little bit of chill out time for yourself to save your skin and your general wellbeing!
 
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
Drinking plenty of water is an easy way to improve your skin. Challenge yourself by swapping fizzy drinks and tea for your own glass litre bottle of water so you can measure just how much water you've drunk, and try and beat it every day until your reach two litres. The more you drink, the thirstier you'll become.  You’ll have more energy and you’ll be on your way to having perfect skin! Dr Elizabeth Lipski says 'when we're properly hydrated, we also sweat more efficiently. Doing so helps keep skin clean and clear as well.'
 
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