Editor’s note: Every Friday from now until April 1, we will be announcing the winners of our contest Fierce Friday on the blog. Fierce Friday was launched as a way to highlight our best writers and copy editors working on the brand-new Tyra Banks’ Beauty & Fashion website, typeF.com. Each winning writer will receive $300 in Concert Cash for LiveNation.com, and each winning copy editor will receive $100 of the same. Congratulations to this week's winners, writer Heather Vecchioni and copy editor Bonny Jones on their fun article about keeping skin healthy using at-home products.

How to Keep Your Face Clean & Clear From Home Products

by Heather Vecchioni, for typeF.com



Oh, acne: You're like an annoying ex that won't go away. You rear your ugly head in the worst possible times and make normally fierce, confident gals second-guess themselves. And just when you seem like you're on your way out, you pop up again. What's a gal who wants clear skin without the hassle of having to use prescription medications to do? Why, use home treatments, of course. Over-the-counter products are much cheaper than their prescription counterparts, and are often successful in clearing up acne.

Step 1
Remove blemish-causing oil and bacteria from your face. This may seem like a no-brainer, but removing the materials that cause blemishes in the first place is the most important step in preventing them from making an appearance. Look for an oil-free cleanser that contains a gentle exfoliant and is made with benzoyl peroxide. As you are washing away dirt and oil from your sexy skin, you are also removing any dead or dry skin cells that like to create a pimple party in your pores. Wash your face with lukewarm water twice daily, or as indicated on the cleanser's label.

Step 2
Apply a toner to your face, if you have oily or combination skin. Contrary to what you might think, a toner doesn't kick your skin into gear and get it to tighten up its flabby areas; toners simply clean down into pores and help them to shrink a bit. Use a cotton ball to apply the effective liquid to your skin once or twice a day, depending on the product.

Step 3
Treat your skin with a topical product. Use over-the-counter creams and ointments that contain ingredients that kick acne in the tush, such as salicylic and glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Apply these treatments to your entire mug to keep blemishes from showing up unexpectedly. If a blemish does end up crashing your party, using these products should send it packing.

Step 4
Use a moisturizer that won't clog your pores. This may sound like common sense, but some gals simply assume that all moisturizers are good for their skin, which is so not the case. Since keeping your skin hydrated is important, you can't get away from using a moisturizer. If you use one that is non-clogging or non-comedogenic, it shouldn't wreak any havoc and cause blemishes. Use the moisturizer any time you wash your mug, or if it feels tight and dry.

Tips and Tricks
Avoid touching your face with your hands. Oil, dirt and bacteria often take up residence on your hands and will eagerly move onto your face if allowed, which often results in unsightly blemishes.

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