Learning to deal with your skin’s changes, on top of all the other things that come with your teenage years, is not always easy. Add in social media, where everyone is trying to tell you what they think is the greatest thing since sliced bread, and you have a recipe for disaster. So here are a few quick, easy, and effective things for your skin and your sanity.
1. Wash your face
Ok. I know, duh, right?! But… hear me out. Find a good cleanser; not bar soap or makeup wipes. Bar soap is very alkaline (some as high as a 12 pH) your skin wants to be between a 4.5-5.5 pH. Bar soaps often have a lot of chemical dyes and fragrances in them. Makeup wipes don’t really remove everything you want them to. And, if you don’t rinse them off, what are you leaving on your skin? Wash twice a day, morning and evening. Morning to remove the sweat, oil, and whatever is on your pillowcase. Evening to remove dirt, oil, sweat, makeup (if you wear it), and who knows what else was on your hands. The average person is said to touch their face 23 times in an hour. Always finish with toner and moisturizer. Even oily skin should moisturize. You just need to find the right kind for your skin, like Loft 23 Spa’s Bio Clear Moisturizer for oily and acne-prone skin.
2. Don't touch your face
I know this is easier said than done. Like I said before, the average person touches their face about 23 times an hour. Please don’t obsess over this but if you notice you are resting your face on your hand just change positions. Oh!! Don’t forget to wash your hands.
3. Avoid picking and popping
Please don’t pick at pimples, zits, or whatever you want to call them. And don’t have your best friend do it in the bathroom at lunch. Picking can lead to scarring and pitting and that is hard to get rid of. If you are breaking out try a salicylic acid spot treatment. I’m personally not a fan of benzol peroxide for most people, it is very drying and should only be applied directly to the pimple, not usually the whole face.
If you are going to extract do it the right way. Wash your hand and face, use a sterile lancet (like what you poke your finger with to test blood) to poke a small hole in the white head, then press lightly from the sides. Afterward, cleanse the area and apply toner and moisture.
If you have a lot of problems with whiteheads you may want to take to your parent or guardian about investing in a portable high-frequency wand for around $30-$60. When done properly sparking can help kill the bacteria. Your local esthetician can also do this for you usually during an acne facial.
Ice pick scaring from acne.
4. Wipe your phone off regularly
Your phone gets dirt and oil on it all day long. Using an electronic wipe, or other screen cleaner, to clean the dirt and oil off will help. Even if you don’t put the phone directly to your face you set it on the counter or the toilet paper dispenser in the bathroom, touch the phone then your face. Don’t believe me? Hold your phone so you can see the reflection on the light and see what is on the screen.
5. Clean your makeup brushes
Your makeup brushes are full of dirt, oil, and of course makeup. Makeup brushes should be cleaned about once a month for most people. If you have oily skin or are having problems with acne you may need to do it every 2-3 weeks. Cleaning your brushes is easy. Add a small amount of a mild cleanser like baby soap to a glass or jar with warm water and swirl the brushes. Rinse them well under running water, then dry well. Make sure to hang the brushes till completely dry so water doesn’t get stuck in the ferrule (the metal band around the bristles).
6. Change/ wash your pillowcase
Just like your phone and makeup brushes your pillowcase needs to be clean regularly, about once every week or two. The other thing to look at with your pillowcase is if your breakout looks more like a rash. If you have sensitive skin or an allergy to the dyes and fragrances in your laundry soap you can develop contact dermatitis. Talk to your parent or guardian and your doctor to see what the best option is for you. Side sleepers may have more problems with this and you may notice breakouts are worse on the side you sleep on most.
7. Don't try everything you see on social media!
Social media can be a great place and a horrible place to learn things. Unfortunately, you don’t have to know anything about a subject to make a video about it on social platforms. Make sure to do a little additional research on things before you try them. You would be amazed what people can hide with an effect, lighting trick, good editing or just not showing you the after. Ask questions, talk it over with a person or two and ask an expert. I am always happy to answer an email. I know someone who read that if you cut a lemon, dip it in coarse salt and scrub your face it would lighten the sun damage and brighten the skin. Let’s just say her skin was raw, angry and it made her sun damage worse not better! Remember if it sounds too good to be true it just might be.
8. Sunscreen
Most sun damage is thought to be done before 30. I know we all need vitamin D and the sun is the best way to get it but here is a few general guidelines for sunscreen.
- If you are going to be out between 10-3 (it may be earlier and later if you live closer to the equator)
- If you are going to be out in the sun for more than 30 minutes at a time.
- If you have a super light skin tone and burn easily.
- All skin tones should wear sunscreen
- A good starting point is SPF 30
- I prefer a mineral (zinc and/or titanium dioxide) Sunscreens
- If you are using topical or oral acne products it’s very important to wear sunscreen. Most of those products cause sun sensitivity. Especially isotretinoin and retinol.
- You can still get burned on a cloudy day
- Follow the directions on how long to apply before you go out (usually 15-30 minutes) and reapply as directed (usually every 2 hours)
- Sunburns are when the most significant damage is done
9.Get into a good skincare routine
Getting into a good skincare routine now can give you great skin for life.
- Wash your face 2x every day
- after washing tone and then moisturize.
- exfoliate 1-3 times a week (Chemical exfoliant for oily skin like a fruit enzyme and scrubs for dry skin) and keep it gentle.
- If you have a breakout use a spot treatment or an acne mask
- good skincare is important for both men and women.
- If you wear makeup never go to sleep with it still on
10. Ask for help
If you are struggling to find the right home care products or, everything that you have tried is not working it may be time to ask for help. Talking to an esthetician is a good place to start. Facials can help to work a little deeper and more intense than what you do at home. They are also a great source to answer your questions and point you in the right direction for the home care products for you. You may also need to talk to your doctor or a dermatologist, especially if a hormonal issue or a food sensitivity is the problem.
Bonus Tip: if you are acne-prone wash your face after shampooing and conditioning your hair. It will help remove any conditioner left on your skin. If you have body breakouts make sure to wash your body after your hair as well.
