by Layla Randle-Conde

Created on: January 13, 2009

One week to clear skin, or how to eliminate acne and clear up your skin in 7 days. This is a fairly long article so please bear with me - it's got to be done correctly to work.

I've got my Mother's horrible, greasy, spot-prone skin. I haven't been a teenager for ten years, but I only have to touch my face with my fingers and I'll get pimples. I've tried everything. No, I mean everything, from homeopathic remedies to splashing acid on my face. For me personally, the only real answer to acne is a long-term approach that includes diet and supplements. But here is my emergency "I've got to get rid of these dammed things right now!" clear-up regimen. Its better to take ten days for this, but Ive done it in a week quite a few times.

If you want your skin to be clear for a special occasion, start preparations a minimum of one week before. Follow this faithfully and I guarantee that you'll have glowing, smooth skin and a whole lot less pimples than you've had for ages (they often clear up altogether).

Step 1 - Garbage in, garbage out. This means that whatever you put into your skin right now is going to show up on your face within a week.

Yes I know there's no medical evidence to link sugar, caffeine or fat with acne. You'll just have to take in on faith from someone with ten years experience. No chocolate, no coffee (perhaps half a cup of weak coffee if you're getting withdrawal headaches), very little dairy and please try not to smoke. Ciggies and booze are the enemy and you have to cut them out for week.

If you really have to smoke, cut right down and smoke half a ciggy when you absolutely have to. But it's best to not smoke at all for the next week.

Step 2 - Fruit, veg and wholegrain. Basically all you're going to eat for a week is lovely, healthy fresh fruit and veg, with enough wholegrain carbs to stop your tummy from grumbling. Healthy fats and things like that are also allowed, but absolutely no junk. Fish is very good; chicken has lots of lovely protein in but try to stay away from red meat for a week. Think stir-fry, salads, brown rice, wholemeal sandwiches, that sort of thing. Very boring I know, but very good for your skin. It will be worth it, I promise.

If you're weak-willed, take a close-up photo of your spottiest area and look at it every time you are tempted. Harsh but effective!

Step 3 -Take a multi-vitamin supplement and a Zinc supplement every day.

Step 4 - Drink a couple of litres of water every day.

Optional Extra: If you can, drink some freshly-squeezed

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