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Step by step to a glowing complexion in two weeks!

Everyone wants clear, healthy, glowing skin. And despite facing problems like pollution, toxins and junk food, you can groom yours to flawlessness.

Follow these simple steps if you want your skin looking its best everyday -- and reap good results within a fortnight!

Step 1: Decrease excess oil secretion

• Blemishes appear in areas of the body that more oil glands, which means excess oil secretion.
• Avoiding oil-based cosmetics also helps; using them can clog pores and leads to acne. Bare mineral cosmetics that are light and powdery can be used and are less likely to cause acne.
• Use oil-free foundation for makeup. Washing face with cold water before applying foundation is good as it helps to close your pores. Wash your makeup off before bed, no matter how tired you are.
• If you are using sunscreen or moisturiser, use oil-free ones depending upon the SPF requirement of your skin type. Look out for products that are labelled as 'noncomedogenic', as they will not clog your pores.
• Avoid products such as pomades or gels which can clog your pores when your hair brushes against the face. Keep hair clean using an oil-free, nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic shampoo.
• If you have oily hair, wash using shampoo daily. Cover your face when applying any sprays and gels on your hair.
• Pull long hair back while sleeping such that it doesn't aggravate your skin. Hair contains oils that can cause breakouts -- even if you don't use hair products be careful to avoid contact of hair with face.
• Do not lean your face on your hands and also keep your cell phone away from your face as far as possible. Hands and phones are known to carry oils and germs that can irritate blemishes.

Step 2: Encourage routine shedding of the skin

• Using a peel is one of the easiest methods to promote regular and routine shedding of the skin.
• Exfoliation of skin results in releasing the build-up of dead skin cells, oils and bacteria trapped in the pores, which otherwise leads to the formation of blemishes.
• Use of homemade peels is advisable to minimise the harmful effects of the chemicals contained in commercial exfoliating peels.
• Papaya is an effective exfoliating peel containing glycolic acid that gently exfoliates skin. It is very safe for weekly use.

Step 3: Minimise the spread of bacterial infections

• Using an astringent to disinfect skin significantly reduces the presence of bacteria on the face, limiting skin inflammation and the likelihood of pimple development.
• Avoid rubbing alcohol or alcohol-based astringents and toners on your skin, even if it is oily. These products are known to strip the skin of its natural, protective moisture that causes irritation and makes acne worse.
• Avoid frequent and vigorous washing that can irritate your skin and make acne worse. Wash acne-prone areas twice daily with a mild soap and warm water.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin well hydrated. It is useful as you sweat; the pores get washed out.

Step 4: Enhancing fat metabolism

• Free fatty acids irritate the skin and provoke acne eruptions, so reducing consumption of foods containing hydrolysed fats will improve your fat metabolism.
• However, essential fatty acids such as Omega-3 and Omega-6 are useful; these are found in foods such as salmon and olive oil. These essential fats aid in eliminating pro-inflammatory substances, which reduces the possibility of experiencing acne lesions.
• Exercising burns off excess fat and energy, which can clog the skin. Exercise or a workout twice a day is good. It also helps in reducing stress.

Step 5: Eating smart and reducing inflammation

• A strong immune system is a strong buffer against inflammation.
• Sleeping well also boosts the immune system. Sleeping for at least 8-10 hours each night is vital for healthy skin.
• A diet supplemented or rich in B-Complex, zinc and vitamins C and E enhances the effectiveness of the immune system.
• Accutane, a derivative of Vitamin A reduces the secretion of oil by the oil-producing glands.
• Consuming foods containing Vitamin A and beta-carotene (which gets converted to Vitamin A in the body) is good. Foods rich in Vitamin A include: liver, oily fish, whole eggs, carrots, sweet potatoes and colourful fruit and vegetables such as carrots, cantaloupe, peaches and peppers.
• Vitamin E also has good effects on the skin. Green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli are rich in Vitamin E.
• It's a myth that oily foods and chocolate cause pimples. If you do figure out that there are certain foods that seem to cause the break-outs, try to avoid them. Try to stop having crisps and fried stuff; you can replace them with fruit.

Follow these steps for two weeks and see the results for yourself. Enjoy the feel of great, glowing, healthy skin!