If a rush of unwanted blemishes has you wondering how to get a clear face fast, read on. We’ll discuss eight ways you can get clear skin, such as:

• Use a clarifying cleanser.
• Swipe on toner.
• Apply a targeted treatment.
• Hydrate with an oil-free moisturizer.
• Use a face mask once weekly.
• Avoid triggers that aggravate acne.
• Switch up your shampoo to reduce scalp acne.
• Visit a dermatologist to see if prescription medication could help.

If you want to know how to get clear skin, you’re not alone. Acne is actually the most common skin condition in the country. Though there isn’t one quick fix to get rid of blemishes forever, making changes in your skin care routine and daily life can help. The type of cleanser you use, how often you clean your makeup brushes and more can all play a role in acne flare-ups. Here are seven steps to put yourself on the path to clearer skin.

Eight Expert Tips on How to Get Clear Skin

1. Use a Clarifying Cleanser That Promotes a Clear Face

The first step to a clear face is to use a mild cleanser specifically formulated for acne-prone skin. LovelySkin LUXE Clarifying Gel Cleanser contains glycolic acid, salicylic acid and afaLUXE, a dermatologist-developed molecule designed to gently exfoliate and reduce breakouts while maintaining skin’s moisture balance. For best results, wash once in the morning and once in the evening before bed. “After using this product, you can expect to see an improvement in existing blemishes as well as fewer breakouts in the future,” says board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “In particular, we are seeing great results with this cleanser for 'maskne,’ which is a huge issue these days!”

2. Swipe on Toner to Get Clear Skin

A toner containing alpha hydroxy acids can help sweep away dead skin cells from skin’s surface, so they don’t cause blocked pores, which can lead to acne. PCA Skin Nutrient Toner contains lactic acid to exfoliate gently without irritation, plus enzyme-packed pumpkin wine to nourish with essential nutrients.

3. Apply a Targeted Treatment to Clear Skin Fast

A potent, effective acne treatment is a crucial step to achieving clear skin. LovelySkin LUXE Acne Care 9% is a lightweight gel that penetrates deep within the skin to heal and treat acne using afaLUXE. It also contains Dead Sea minerals and vitamin C to stimulate collagen production.

4. Hydrate With an Oil-Free Moisturizer

One common myth about moisturizer is that you can skip it if your skin is acne-prone, but because overly dry skin can actually prompt oil production, picking the right moisturizer can actually help you get clear skin naturally. LovelySkin LUXE Mattifying Antioxidant Moisturizer features afaLUXE to encourage exfoliation and resveratrol to protect skin from free radical damage. It creates a matte finish when applied and is also non-comedogenic, which means it is formulated specifically to not block pores. Follow it up with Eminence Organics Acne Advanced Clarifying Hydrator, which purifies pores with encapsulated time-release salicylic acid and lightens discoloration with alpha-arbutin.

5. Mask Up Once Weekly

Everyone would like to know how to get clear skin in a week. While this is a lofty goal, you can get noticeably more refined skin fast by using a pore-purifying clay mask once a week. This can help you get clear skin by calming existing breakouts and preventing future ones from forming. The Revision Skincare Black Mask draws out impurities and excess oil from pores with mineral-rich clay, hydrates with squalane and jojoba esters and soothes with oat kernel extract and cucumber.

6. Avoid Triggers That Cause Unwanted Blemishes

Using the proper skin care products isn’t the only way to clear up skin. You can help stop acne before it starts by making a few small moves in your daily life. To prevent transferring bacteria onto your face, don’t pop or pick at pimples and when possible, wash your hands before touching your face. Regularly clean items that touch your face often—like your cell phone, makeup brushes and pillowcase—to avoid transferring dirt and germs onto your skin. One of our favorite makeup brush cleansers is jane iredale Botanical Brush Cleanser, which is quick-drying and works well on brushes with either synthetic or natural bristles. If you’re suffering from maskne (acne on your chin, nose or cheeks after wearing a cloth face mask), switching to a mask made from a breathable fabric such as cotton or linen could help.

7. Switch Up Your Shampoo to Encourage a Clear Scalp

Bacteria and built-up dead skin cells on your scalp can lead to breakouts along your hairline or scalp acne, also called folliculitis. Using a therapeutic shampoo with salicylic acid, such as CLn Shampoo, can eliminate bacteria and help clear blocked pores on your scalp. Gents, you can also use this on your beard to prevent future chin breakouts.

8. Consult a Dermatologist to Find Out How to Have Clear Skin

If you are not seeing any noticeable changes in your acne after trying these steps for six to eight weeks, consider making an appointment with a dermatologist to talk about how to clear your skin. “There are a number of prescription treatments we can try if you’re not seeing any improvement from over-the-counter treatments,” says Dr. Schlessinger.

Struggling with itchy or painful pumps on your scalp that aren’t acne? Find out what might be the cause by reading our blog!