The Clear Skin Checklist: Everything You Need to Do to Get Clear Skin

If you're struggling with acne, getting clear skin isn't about finding one magic product, it's about doing the right things consistently.

Acne is genetic and can't be cured. But you CAN get clear skin and maintain it. Our checklist below is designed to help guide you to clear skin and keep it.  

1. Foundational Skincare Routine

The non-negotiables. Skip these and the rest of the checklist won't matter.

☐ No pore cloggers. Use our Pore Clogger Checker to check every product (skincare, makeup, hair care) for pore-clogging ingredients.
☐ Follow your routine AM and PM. Consistency is what trains your skin.
☐ Keep skin healthy and hydrated. Dry, damaged skin can't get clear.
☐ Wear SPF daily — yes, even on cloudy days and even if you're staying inside.

In dry climates, your routine needs to be especially hydrating. Our Skincare 101 routine covers all five essential steps:

☐ Creamy cleanser (Cleanser 101)
☐ Hydrating toner (Toner 101)
☐ Hyaluronic acid serum (Hydrator 101)
☐ Moisturizer (Moisturizer 101™)
☐ SPF every morning (Sunscreen 101™)

2. Active Skincare

Once your skin is healed and hydrated, active ingredients are added progressively to clear and prevent acne. Adding them too fast (or all at once) overwhelms skin.  Timing matters.

For inflamed acne (red, inflamed bumps), add over time:

☐ Exfoliator (hydroxy acid serum): 1–2x daily
☐ Antibacterial:  1x nightly
☐ Clay mask:  1x weekly

For non-inflamed acne (skin-colored bumps, congestion, texture) or combination acne, add over time:

☐ Exfoliator (hydroxy acid serum) — 1–2x daily
☐ Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A) — 4–7 nights per week
☐ Antibacterial — 1x nightly
☐ Clay mask — 1x weekly

3. Makeup

☐ Only use 100% pure loose mineral makeup. Liquid foundations, tinted moisturizers, and most "non-comedogenic" labels are not reliable for acne-prone skin.

Read our blog post on acne-safe makeup recommendations for the brands we trust.

4. Supplements

☐ Support your skin from the inside. The right supplements can help address the internal factors contributing to acne — things topical products alone can't reach.

For our recommendations on which acne supplements to take and why, read our supplement guide.

5. Food

What you eat can influence acne. The two most common dietary triggers are:

☐ Reduce or eliminate dairy and whey — especially milk and protein powders.
☐ Reduce or eliminate added sugar — sugar spikes inflammation and oil production.
☐ Take The Acne Lab Food Sensitivity Test can identify your individual triggers so you know exactly what to adjust.

6. Hormones

Hormones are one of the biggest internal influencers of acne — and one of the most overlooked.

☐ Review your birth control. Some forms can trigger or worsen acne. Read out guide on acne-safe birth control
☐ Investigate hormonal imbalances if you're over 35 and experiencing acne. Our Acne Lab Blood Test gives you insights into what's happening internally so you can address the root cause.

7. Medications

Medications and prescriptions can trigger acne as a side effect and make it difficult to get clear skin. Read out list of common medications that can trigger acne. 

Ready to Work Through the Checklist?

Clear skin is the result of doing all of these things together — not just one or two. If you're stuck, our team can help you build a plan that addresses every item on this list. Book a consultation to get started.