You gotta start young to stay young.
If you are of any kind of student, this is the skin care post for you. Late nights of studying (or not studying), homework, sports, work, and still trying to have a social life can definitely take its tole on any kind of student and it can show. Here are some easy tips, tricks, and favorite products to help you look and feel your best.
First of all, this is prime time to start taking care of your skin. If you don have any type of regime yet, this is where you should try to begin. Collagen starts to really slow down in production around the age of 25. This is about the peak age of our youthful skin. It only gets slower from there. Along with partying, not sleeping, sun bathing,ect.. it just speeds up the process. Skin becomes dull, laskluster, dark circles are more frequent under your eyes. Fine lines and dark spots are possible to start showing up. To find the best prducts for yourself, find out your skin type and concerns: Is your skin dry, oily, both, or normal? Do you have concerns with aging, acne/breakouts, sun damage, or sensitivity?
Here is a basic routine for students to look into.
- Cleanse day and night
- Gentle exfoliation 1-2 x /week
- Eye cream, start simple.
- Moisturize daily
- SPF daily
- Use a gentle cleanser. if you are doubtful or have trouble finding one, ask your esthetician to recommend you a couple. I love a good oil cleanser (good for most skin types, including oily) since they are super gentle and are usually able to take off most eye makeup too!
Cleanser recommendations
Stone Crop Gel Wash: deep gentle wash for all skin types. Healing and hydrating.
Stone Crop Cleansing Oil: great for removing makeup and for all skin types. Restores balance while gentlyremoving impurities. Mix (any of these cleansers) with the Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant for a gentle exfoliation.
Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser: Refresh, cool down, and reduce breakouts and acne. My best selling cleanser for acne is not only going to reduce breakouts but will reduce acne scarring as well. A more hydrating, zit zapping cleanser.
TIP 2: Start using an eye cream. Eyes are the window to the soul. The eyes are where your first fine lines tend to show up, along with around the mouth. As students, you could always use a little pick me up. Keep spoons in the fridge or use cucumber slices to cool, de-puff, and brighten the eyes. Eminence Organics has a super refreshing Cucumber Eye Gel that does all that, plus anti-aging. No, it is not too early to start doing anti aging.
Eye Cream Recommendations
Cucumber Eye Gel: great for puffiness and brightening, a light refreshing gel cream texture.
Bearberry Eye Cream: Hydrating cream and great for brightening and reducing fine lines and crows feet.
TIP 3: SPF EVERY DAMN DAY. Have it in you moisturizer, makeup, or alone, but use it. Its the simplest thing ANYONE can do to prevent aging, sun spots, and skin cancer.
SPF and Moisturizer recommendations
Tropical Vanilla Day Cream w/ SPF: For dry/combination/normal skin types, this not only protects but has anti-aging properties as well.
Red Currant Protective Moisturizer w/ SPF: For my oily/combination skin types, this protective moisturizer helps fight breakouts, oiliness, and aging.
Tinted Moisturizer w/ SPF: Great for all skin types. Hydrating, protecting, and a hint of color.
Sun Defense Minerals: A hypoallergenic, non pore clogging, water- resistant SPF 30 that is in a natural mineral powder form. For all skin types, men, women and children. Great for setting makeup or wearing alone.
---> My favorite combination is to use a Tinted moisturizer with Sun Defense Minerals of Honey Apple No.1 on top. Set with Stone Crop Hydrating Mist.
TIP 4: Beauty Sleep. There's going to be long nights. When you get the chance to catch up on sleep, take it. No shame. Get a good satin or silk pillow case because its much more gentle on your hair and skin. I got one at Marshalls on sale for $6, I know most college students can afford that. Grab a comfy satin/silk eye mask (or a cooling gel one) to prevent light coming in and to give you a better sleep.
TIP 5: Relax, Dont Stress.. I know. That's easier said than done. Stress can cause inflammation and can actually cause you to break out. (if your drinking and smoking, your suffocating your skin and causing even more stress.) I recommend giving yourself one night a week to relax, unwind, take care of yourself, give your self a spa day at home, or go in for a relaxing massage or facial or service of your choosing (I love me some mani's and pedi's). You would be surprised what places have student discounts. I give my college students $20 off any facial.
Extra tip: Spot Treat. Clear Skin Target Treatment is potent in active ingredients to calm down redness and to really zap your zits. Its easy to carry anywhere, can be reapplied throughout the day, and will prevent scarring! This is great for people who like to pick, use this instead of picking!