Spots? What spots?

Spots? What spots?

There's nothing worse than when a batch of pimples erupts across your face says LUCY GORNALL.

Ok, well, there are worse things in life, and, if spots are all you have to worry about then life's cushdy! But, they are a pain and the thing is, there seems to be NOTHING that gets rid of them!

I've tried countless products. Creams, spot sticks, moisturisers, gels, TCP, toothpaste (where on earth did this one stem from?!), and, I've even resorted to brunting the pain of placing cold ice on my face till all I'm left with is a pool of water.

Being a student definitely doesn't help. What with all the heavy drinking and the odd cheeky cheeseburger, I can't expect to have gorgeously clear skin. But, I exercise every day and drink plenty of H2o, so why don't they just GO AWAY!?

I'm sure I'm not alone in my search to find the perfect product. Well I do believe I've finally found it and the winner is... nothing! That's right. Nothing.

No creams. No special wipes. No 3-in-1 toner, moisturisers and cleansers. Nothing.

Since I got my first spot at age 13 I have wasted SO much money on the latest 'spot clearing' fad only to find that when I stopped using products, my spots went down.

Damn... my mum was right all along.

So how, if there's no special formulas involved, do you get clear skin!?

Well here it is. The top tips, the handy hints, the practical pointers. Whatever you want to call them, they're here. This is all you need to know.

1. ALWAYS remove your make-up:

No matter how tired you are or how late it is, leaving your make-up on while you sleep is just sinful. It will only sink further into your pores while you sleep, clogging them up. It doesn't matter if you think your 'no make'up' reflection is enough to crack a mirror. TAKE IT OFF!

I use a simple Vitamin E eye make up remover. yes, yes, OK, so this does count as a product but I really dont have the guts to leave the house everyday without make-up on.

2. Exercise:

Slobbing on the sofa isn't going to get you far! Jump up and get active. The sweat will help clear your skin and you'll be left with a gorgeous glow when you've finished. A run outdoors is great. The feeling of the wind in your hair and the sun on your face...well... its unbeatable!

3. Keep your hands off your face:

Everyone knows a face toucher. Someone who's always twiddling with their hair or picking at spots. Just leave it all alone. Euww - think of the all the germs your hands pick up over the day... on the other hand, don't!

4. Wipe your mobile:

You may not realise it, but your mobile phone harbours more germs than a toilet handle! And would you really put a toilet handle up against your face every day for hours on end? Didn't think so. Wipe your phone down regularly with a wet wipe. If you do notice spots running down the side of your face you know you're a culprit of 'dirty phone syndrome' so keep it clean!

5. Face massaging:

Sounds odd. But it works. Every morning do some face stretches... think, opening your mouth as wide as you can... and then repeating several times. Also, when moisturising, try and massage your face in an upward direction. It will improve circulation in your face and help your skin to look more refreshed.

6. Hair:

Rinsing out your hair products is crucial.This might sound stupidly obvious, but it really makes a difference. Shampoo or conditioner which isn't rinsed out properly can irritate the skin. So next time you're washing your hair, really rinse out everything from your hairline.

It's also an absolute hair SIN to have a greasy fringe hanging over your forehead. Invest in some cheapo hair grips to keep it back, because, lets be honest... washing your hair everday is a chore. I'd rather hit the snooze button and stay in bed that extra half an hour!

7. Diet:

Again. Obvious. But, how can anyone have perfect skin if they're living off fizzy drinks and junk food? Try swapping that burger for a filling bowl of scrummy pasta and maybe that can of coke you're holding should be replaced with a glass of water or juice. Not only will it help your skin, but you will 100% start to feel better in yourself. And, you never know, you might start to enjoy eating healthily. Well... pigs might fly.

Next time you want a cuppa, make it a green one. Research has found that green tea is a godsend in spot clearing.

8. Alcohol:

Now I would never EVER tell you to stop drinking entirely, but how about cutting alcohol out of your diet for a fortnight. For many, this will be tough, but stick it out and you'll more than likely notice a difference in your skin. And think about the good it will do to your purse!

So yes... these are my top eight tips for sexy skin. Not only will they help clear up those zits but think of the money you'll save by not being tempted to buy that 'miracle' spot lotion.

Of course, it's probably a good idea to instill these into you're head so that you can keep those spots at bay forever!

Happy spot zapping!