by Caryna St. John

Created on: August 21, 2009

Everyone wants clear skin but sometimes it can be hard to achieve. Teenagers battle with acne and older people deal with wrinkles. Finding a way to obtain a clear complexion can be tricky and requires dedication and attention to your skin's needs. Taking note of your personal habits, facial products and seeking the counsel of a professional should assist you in obtaining a clearer complexion.

Your complexion is affected by many things including your personal habits.

*If you want a clearer complexion, avoid smoking as it causes lines and creases in the skin and kills skin cells making the skin look very dull and old.

*Limit the amount of caffeine that you ingest. Caffeine is a stimulant that causes some people to break out.

*Alcohol can be very drying to skin making it flaky and giving your complexion a sallow appearance.

*Try to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables especially those high in vitamins B and C. These vitamins are good for brightening the complexion and evening skin tone.

*Water is great for the complexion as it flushes away impurities in the body.

In addition to watching what you put in your body, you need to be careful about what you put on your body. Choose quality facial products. What works on one person's skin may not work for someone else's skin.

There are four different skin types: dry, oily, combination and sensitive. Each skin type requires different treatment to look its best. Dry sensitive skin cannot be treated with the same products as oily acne-prone skin. Finding out what type of skin you have is important to choosing the skin care line that is best for you.

There are many skin care options available and it may take some time and trial and error before you find the products that make your skin look its best. When using skin care products take notice of how your skin responds. If there is redness, peeling or stinging of the skin upon application of a product then you should discontinue use of that particular skin care regimen. With time and a little effort you should find the skin care regimen that makes your skin glow.

If you suffer from severe skin conditions or just want more detailed information on how you can improve your skin you should seek the medical advice of a dermatologist. Look for a board certified dermatologist to ensure that the person you are seeing has verifiable experience dealing with skin. A dermatologist can provide you with a thorough assessment of your skin's condition and, if necessary, prescription-strength skin care products to alleviate your skin ailments.

Learn more about this author, Caryna St. John.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.