Get the skinny on your skin
Washing your face twice daily will leave your skin healthy, refreshed, and gorgeous. Sure, it sounds simple, but it’s a really important step for keeping the oils that cause acne off your face! Washing your hair regularly will also help to keep you face clean, particularly around your forehead and temples. Also, try to make your face a “no touch” zone. Putting your fingers on your face adds to the surface oil and introduces unwanted bacteria.
You wouldn’t wear shoes that didn’t fit your feet properly (duh!) so don’t use soap that isn’t tailor-made for your skin type. Facial soap is available in several varieties (oily, normal, and dry) and there are even some that are made for those of us who are “lucky” enough to have combination skin (oily in some areas, dry in others). But if you have no idea where to start, get a bar of Dove for Sensitive Skin, which is often recommended by dermatologists. If acne is a concern for you, there are several great non-oily facial cleansers out there. Avoid using scented soaps on your face, since this can irritate your skin. Another big “no no” is using the body soap on your face. Body soap has chemicals that will rob the skin on your face of moisture and remove some of the acidity that is needed to kill the bacteria that cause acne. Not good.
Everyone needs to moisturize their face. Somewhere along the line, a rumor started that if your skin is already oily you can forego the moisturizer. But, you don’t have to be a chemistry whiz to know that this idea is phony baloney! Moisturize your face after you wash it year round to keep your skin from peeling or looking flaky. Just make sure to pick a moisturizer that’s built for your skin type: dry, oily, normal, or combination. Commit yourself to this step, and you can make sure to look luscious and lovely!
Use sun screen — ALWAYS, and EVERY DAY! And don’t be stingy with the bottle even if it’s cloudy outside. Sunscreen not only helps to prevent skin cancer, but it also helps to prevent premature aging – we’re talking sun spots, wrinkles, leathery appearance, yeah. Use at least SPF 15 everyday and look for sunscreen that is non-comedogenic, since this won’t clog your pores. Some brands offer a dry-touch variety that has a light and breezy feel. Or, if you have drier skin, you can find a rich daily moisturizer with a sun screen included.
Skin emergency? Don’t panic – it happens to all of us! (Plus, the extra stress will cause you to break out even more.) Whatever you do, do not — I repeat DO NOT — pop any pimples! As tempting as this is, you gotta resist the urge, sister! Popping zits leaves your skin vulnerable to infections and may lead to long-term scaring. We certainly can’t have any of that! Instead, apply a drug store spot treatment (usually these work overnight). In a pinch, you can even try using a dab of toothpaste…
If your acne is a major problem and your blemishes are bumming you out, don’t lose heart, take action! Try an over-the-counter acne cream that contains a high percentage of benzoyl peroxide. If this doesn’t work, call in the cavalry. Many girls get great results by taking it up a notch and using acne medicine prescribed by a dermatologist. If your acne is severe, there might be some additional treatments that you and your doctor can discuss. I’ve been there and done that, and I’m so glad that I took care of myself. It’s time that you did too!
Sure, one in a thousand girls is born with perfect, gorgeous skin. But if that’s not you, don’t panic. Your teen years are hard on your face, but by taking charge of your actions and making the time to take care of yourself, you can make sure your skin is always looking its best. Get plenty of sleep, eat well, exercise regularly, you know the drill. But do it because you’re beautiful, and you deserve to let yourself shine. Take it from this fashionista – healthy skin is always in style!
Photo 1 by: heaven spa Photo 2 by: tammying Photo 3 by: Hacklock
By Chloe Nurik July 25
Whether you work hard or play hard, it’s time to give yourself a treat. You and your skin deserve a whole lot MORE than just being an after-thought. In fact, spending just 10 minutes a day can make the difference between dull, ruddy skin, and an insanely beautiful glow. So what are you waiting for? Get to the drug store pronto and unleash your inner cover girl! Here’s the 411 on skin care from someone who has suffered and survived:
Step 1: Wash it off
Step 2: Moisturize
Step 3: Block that sun
Step 4: Give your face the royal treatment
Here’s a tip, treat your skin like your school assignments. There are things you gotta do everyday, but there are also those long-term assignments that you have to attend to every once in a while. So, if you want really good results with your skin, you can add a small weekly ritual to your daily routine. Using a weekly mask and/or exfoliator will get your skin top grades. A mask cleans your pores and gets rid of those nasty blackheads, while an exfoliator helps to remove dead skin cells so that new skin comes to the surface faster. Plus, did I mention that doing a mask can be kind of fun? You can even make one at home using just the ingredients in your kitchen (try the oatmeal and yogurt mask, the rejuvenating pumpkin mask, or the homemade sugar scrub.) CAUTION: Do not over-scrub! The skin on your face is very sensitive and if you aggravate it, you will tend to break out even more.
Step 5: Put your hands down
