Overview

Clear skin is associated with youth and beauty in the Western world. However, many people, especially adolescents, find it difficult to achieve and maintain clear skin. Dry skin, acne and other skin problems can contribute to a poor complexion. Hormones, environmental toxins, diet and other factors can cause skin problems. Fortunately, achieving clear skin is a relatively simple task, although it requires continuous maintenance.

Step 1

Wash your skin no more than twice per day with a mild cleanser and warm water, advises the Kids Health website. Avoid using hot water, which can irritate the tissues of the skin.

Step 2

Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and a hat when out in the sun. Tanning causes the skin's glands to produce excess sebum, which can clog pores and cause acne, notes the Kids Health website. Apply sunscreen that has a minimum protection rating of SPF 15 to areas that you cannot cover up.

Step 3

Avoid wearing makeup, or only use makeup that is non-comedogenic, advises Dr. James F. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Wash makeup off your face before going to bed. This can help prevent clogged pores and promote clear, healthy skin, according to the Kids Health website.

Step 4

Consume foods that contain oxalic acid, such as cashews, beets, spinach, Swiss chard and almonds, advises Dr. Balch. Oxalic acid may help regulate skin oil production, which can contribute to a clear complexion.

Step 5

Practice yoga poses, meditation, tai chi or another activity to control stress. According to the Kids Health website, stress can cause skin rashes such as eczema, which causes the skin to become red and dry.

Step 6

Eat foods such as shellfish, whole grain breads and pastas, soybeans and sunflower seeds, advises Dr. Balch. These foods are rich in zinc, a trace mineral that regulates the production of oil by the skin's oil glands. Zinc is also considered an antibacterial agent, and may help destroy bacteria that can contribute to acne and other skin conditions.