Here is some simple information on how to achieve clear skin.

1. Removal of old dead skin cells
Clear skin, clear skin
The stratum corneum, located at the outermost layer of the skin, sheds periodically. If this regeneration does not occur smoothly, old dead skin cells accumulate thickly on the outer surface. These accumulated dead skin cells are the main culprit behind a dull complexion. Therefore, regularly removing these old cells through deep cleansing can result in much clearer and whiter skin. However, excessive artificial removal of the stratum corneum can damage the skin's barrier function, leading to sensitivity or acne-prone skin; thus, the use of harsh scrubs, exfoliation, or products that cause chemical peeling should be avoided.

2. Make sunscreen a part of your daily routine.

It is now accepted as common sense that sunscreen should be applied even in winter and indoors. In particular, on snowy winter days or at ski resorts, UV rays can reflect off the snow and cause much stronger irritation, so you must not forget to check the time and thoroughly reapply sunscreen frequently. Since UV rays cause pigmented lesions such as melasma and freckles in addition to skin aging, you should consider sunscreen a basic product and make it a daily habit to apply it without fail.

3. Vitamin C intake

Vitamin C works by inhibiting melanin synthesis and promoting collagen synthesis. Therefore, consistently consuming fruits rich in Vitamin C is like laying the foundation for fair skin. Since adequate Vitamin C intake is highly beneficial not only for skin whitening but also for improving dark circles and blemishes, you should pay extra attention to it.

4. Use products containing whitening ingredients

There are several precautions to keep in mind when selecting functional cosmetics for whitening. One is that you must carefully examine the ingredients. In particular, you should be suspicious if a product guarantees or advertises dramatic results. Whitening cosmetics that were previously problematic due to mercury content gained sensational popularity through word of mouth, but eventually became a major issue once the flaws were revealed. Currently, there are eight substances registered as whitening ingredients with the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA): niacinamide, paper mulberry extract, ascorbyl glucoside, ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, ethyl ascorbyl ether, alpha-bisabolol, and oil-soluble licorice extract. These substances also provide whitening effects only when present in a certain concentration or higher. Therefore, it is essential to carefully check the ingredients when selecting a product.

5. Herbal medicines that help with skin whitening

Coix seed, commonly known as Job's tears, is a medicinal herb widely used as an external application. When used as a face pack, it absorbs and removes dead skin cells and sebum, while also providing a whitening effect. Furthermore, due to its excellent pus-draining properties and high efficacy in improving skin conditions, it has been frequently used since ancient times for skin ailments such as warts. It is recommended to use it about once every one to two weeks by mixing Job's tears powder with milk or fermented milk, applying it, gently massaging it in, and washing it off before it dries.

6. You need a healthy body for clear skin.

Can someone suffering from chronic constipation have good skin? Can someone struggling with menstrual cramps and irregular periods have skin free of dark circles and not dry, dull? Ultimately, complexion is a mirror reflecting the state of the body. Therefore, if you have any neglected conditions, you should treat them first, and if your lifestyle involves drinking, sleep deprivation, or irregular eating habits, you must correct these before using expensive cosmetics.