How to Have Flawless Skin in a Week

Co-authored by Joanna Kula

Last Updated: April 13, 2024 Approved

Having skin that's free of pimples, redness, and dark spots can improve your confidence and quality of life. While getting skin that feels flawless is an ongoing process that takes time, there are some things you can do to quickly get your skin on the right track.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Developing a Skin Care Routine

Download Article

1
Determine your skin type. Is it oily, dry, normal, or combination of either? In order to do this, wash your face, let it dry and leave your face completely untouched for an hour. Inspect by dabbing a tissue between your nose and cheek, called the T-zone:^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Normal skin shows neither oil nor flaking skin. It should feel supple and smooth. If you have it, consider yourself lucky!
- Oily skin is characterized by the grease on the tissue. It is also common for a person with oily skin to have large pores and a bit of a shine.
- Dry skin may feel taut or show flakes of dead skin. It is associated with small pores. Moisturizing is important for this skin type.
- Combination skin is most common. It exhibits traits of all three of the above skin types. Usually, the skin is oily in the T-zone and normal to dry elsewhere.
2
Invest in a cleanser, toner, moisturizer and facial scrub suited to your skin type. (If you're young there's no need for a facial scrub.) You might have to test out a couple of brands before you find the perfect one. Talk to an associate at a makeup or skin care counter. You will be able to test different formulas. They may even offer samples so you can try a product out for a day or two.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Joanna Kula
Licensed Esthetician

Expert Interview. 9 July 2019.}
- Try to get a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer that is non-comedogenic. This just means that it won't clog your pores, leading to pimples.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
- If you have a bad case of acne or any other skin problem like eczema, see a dermatologist. They will give you the specific treatment you need. It's likely that any medication you get from a dermatologist will be prescription strength, too, meaning it will be stronger.
Advertisement
3
Buy an SPF 15+ sunscreen for daily use. Try for a facial sunscreen with no fragrance or oil. Sunscreen will help block harmful UV-A and UV-B rays that can lead to skin damage and cancers.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Joanna Kula
Licensed Esthetician

Expert Interview. 9 July 2019.}
- Many moisturizers these days have sunscreen built into them. Experiment with different moisturizers to see if the sunscreen works well and the moisturizer keeps your face hydrated.
4
Use your face wash every day. You will not see a difference if you only use it once a week. Use your scrub, which lifts off dead layers of skin, only every few days as to avoid scrubbing off too much skin.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Do not use a washcloth, loofah or any other abrasive material to wash your face. Washing with your hands is perfectly acceptable, and will lower the irritation you might otherwise get with an abrasive material.
- Wash once in the morning and once at night. This is especially important if you have very oily skin or numerous pimples.
- Moisturize after every wash. Washing your face with a facial cleanser sucks all the natural oils from your face. Clear, beautiful skin is hydrated skin.
5
Wash off your makeup. Before going to bed remember to take off any makeup you put on. Washing your face may do the trick, but some makeup may require makeup remover.^{[6]
X
Expert Source

Joanna Kula
Licensed Esthetician

Expert Interview. 9 July 2019.}
- Don't be lazy about taking off makeup. If you're prone to leaving your makeup on or forgetting to wash your face, invest in some wipes and keep them close to your bed. Although this isn't exactly optimal, it is only for time-saving, so if you can, wash your face after to remove any excess makeup.

Quiz

wikiHow Quiz: What Skin Type Do I Have?

Oily, combination, dry, or sensitive—to take the very best care of your face, first you’ve got to know your skin type. Whether it’s acne, flakiness, redness, or oil that’s got you down, we’ll give you all the knowledge you need, and we’ll even recommend our favorite products for your skin type.

1 of 12

Let’s talk about pores. How would you describe yours?

Honestly, they’re super noticeable, large, and all over my face.

They’re noticeable, but only really in my t-zone (AKA, my forehead, nose, & chin).

They’re pretty small. I can hardly see them!

I’m pretty sure my pores are average in size.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making Lifestyle Changes

Download Article

A great menu is a balanced menu. Remember the food pyramid? Eat fruits and vegetables. Nutritionists recommend eating 3 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables daily. Avoid foods with caffeine and sugar, as well as greasy foods and red meat.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Joanna Kula
Licensed Esthetician

Expert Interview. 9 July 2019.}
Try to drink 8 glasses of fluids, preferably water, every day! Avoid sugary soft drinks, caffeine, and coffee. Green/herbal tea is rich in antioxidants, which protect cells in your body from damage.^{[8]
X
Research source}
3
Exercise. Exercising helps you metabolize. A walk with your dog or some yoga lessons do make a difference! Healthy skin is just another part of a healthy body.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Exercising is also good for relieving stress. Studies show^{[10]
  X
  Research source} that there's a link between how stressed you are and how bad your acne is. So if you're super-stressed all the time, try your favorite form of exercise to get rid of it pronto.
4
Sleep. Make sure you get your 8 hours every night, perhaps a bit more if you are a teenager. Being well rested gives your body more energy to go about its daily routine, and leaves you feeling even better. Flawless skin doesn't have big dark circles.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Do this every day, and you will soon begin to see the results.

Do You Recommend A Specific Daily Skin Care Routine?

Foods to Eat and Avoid for Flawless Skin

Foods to Eat for Flawless Skin

Foods to Avoid to Get Flawless Skin

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Is tanning bad for your skin?

Joanna Kula
Licensed Esthetician
Joanna Kula is a Licensed Esthetician, Owner and Founder of Skin Devotee Facial Studio in Philadelphia. With over 10 years of experience in skincare, Joanna specializes in transformative facial treatments to help clients achieve a lifetime of healthy, beautiful, and radiant skin. She is also a contributing author for the prestigious Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa magazine and has been featured in a number of magazines including InStyle.

Joanna Kula

Licensed Esthetician

Expert Answer

Yes. I really wouldn't recommend doing any tanning if you want to have healthy, clear skin.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 5
Question

How can I reduce the amount of oil on my face if I have naturally oily skin?

Joanna Kula
Licensed Esthetician
Joanna Kula is a Licensed Esthetician, Owner and Founder of Skin Devotee Facial Studio in Philadelphia. With over 10 years of experience in skincare, Joanna specializes in transformative facial treatments to help clients achieve a lifetime of healthy, beautiful, and radiant skin. She is also a contributing author for the prestigious Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa magazine and has been featured in a number of magazines including InStyle.

Joanna Kula

Licensed Esthetician

Expert Answer

Stop using any harsh products or products with strong ingredients. Even if they remove oil temporarily, they're probably going to make your skin produce more oil in the future. Just stick with a simple skincare routine and use gentle products.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
Question

How do I get clear, flawless skin in a week?

Joanna Kula
Licensed Esthetician
Joanna Kula is a Licensed Esthetician, Owner and Founder of Skin Devotee Facial Studio in Philadelphia. With over 10 years of experience in skincare, Joanna specializes in transformative facial treatments to help clients achieve a lifetime of healthy, beautiful, and radiant skin. She is also a contributing author for the prestigious Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa magazine and has been featured in a number of magazines including InStyle.

Joanna Kula

Licensed Esthetician

Expert Answer

That's a tall order. Everyone has different skin, and that's a really short time frame. Your best chance is to go see an esthetician to see what kind of professional treatments may work for you.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Stop smoking. It will give you wrinkles and age spots much earlier in life.^{[12]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Be sure to remove makeup with a separate makeup remover as a facial cleanser is designed to remove only dirt and sebum.^{[13]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Olive oil is a great substitute for makeup remover. It's also good for your skin. It may be an option if you are sensitive to certain chemicals. Olive oil is absorbed by the pores, so it doesn't cause breakouts.^{[14]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

If you are a teen choose formulas appropriate for your skin type. Consult the makeup counter if needed.

Thanks
Helpful 247 Not Helpful 47
Clean and moisturize daily is just as important with sunscreens as it is with make up.

Thanks
Helpful 215 Not Helpful 57
Sunscreen should be used regardless of skin tone. This includes medium and dark skin as harmful UV rays (that cause skin cancer) can affect anyone.

Thanks
Helpful 197 Not Helpful 55
Always check the ingredients and choose products with known actives that are scientifically proven to help skin.

Thanks
Helpful 168 Not Helpful 50
Look for sunscreens especially for facial use. They are more cosmetically elegant and will be less likely to cause breakouts. This is especially important if you use a stronger SPF.

Thanks
Helpful 167 Not Helpful 52

Things You'll Need

Cleansers
Toners
Moisturizers
Products containing SPF of at least 15 or higher if you don't wear hats or spend more time in the sun
Good makeup, free of talc, free from fragrance and oils.
Make-up wipes and a good moisturizer to follow.