As our bodies begin to change, our faces change as well.. The days of only having to brush our teeth before bed are behind us, and we must begin moving toward a rather rigid, but totally doable, face-cleansing regime. Otherwise, we will be faced (no pun intended) with acne, blemishes, and/or irritation, which can be a huge nuisance, putting a damper on daily activities (and self-esteem)!
Teenage Skin Care and Acne Tips
While acne is a natural part of being young, developing a skincare routine and making it a habit is important for preventing the effects of aging in the future. But before you reach for those harsh chemicals and astringents, take a look at some things to consider about your facial care.
Cleansers
Cleansing is a fancy word for washing away bacteria. These pesky little germs (which is what they technically are) clog your pores and can cause blackheads, zits, and even cysts on your face. Most people associate these germs with oil and dirt that build up on our faces overtime. While this is mostly true, it is important to realize the importance of that oil—to keep our skin from over-drying.
Weirdly enough, most acne on young people is caused by over-drying, not oil, despite what you may see in the mirror. Why? Because when our faces feel sticky or oily, our first inclination is to wash our faces and get the tight, clean feeling afterward…. Unfortunately, that tight feeling is pretty terrible for your face. It causes dryness. And when your face is over-dried, it will naturally produce more oil, which causes acne.
WOW. Were have been lied to our whole lives, huh? To keep skin clean, while preventing the over-drying, tight feeling, use a light, gentle, oil-free cleanser. If it bubbles up when you rub your hands together, you should avoid it. Cream-based cleansers are the way to go!
Moisturizers
Even after your wash your face (without getting that tight feeling), it is important to moisturize your face. For those of us with oily skin problems, our first inclination is “NO WAY!” However, moisturizing is actually good for all skin types. It prevents not only blemishes, but (long-term) prevents wrinkles, age spots, and dryness, which are no fun to deal with. Use a light moisturizer in the morning and night after washing your face (especially on your forehead, as this area dries out easily).
Look for a gentle moisturizer, one that advertises an oil-free, hypoallergenic product that will not irritate your skin. If you can find an all-natural product, use that instead! Chemical free is the best place to be. And that is all you need! A cleanser and a moisturizer (with the occasional scrub).
Instead of investing is a face washing mechanism that has harsh brushes, just simply add some white sugar to your gentle cleanser 1-2 times a week. This will naturally exfoliate your face, as well as clear off dead skin cells, alleviating the effects of dryness. Do not forget to moisturize after!
Manage the Sun Rays
Although having a glowing tan is something we all strive for, the sun is also our skin’s worst enemy. The rays from the sun can not only deplete our bodies of moisture, it can also cause some serious damage in the future. Although you cannot see it now, the sun is constantly beating down on your skin (even in the winter!), which can cause some undesirable changes to your skin in the future, such as age spots, wrinkles, and fine lines.
To keep the sun exposure at bay, try using a foundation with SPF 15 or higher every day. There are oil-free versions of this, too. You should also be sure to protect your lips, which can dry easily. Simply apply a lip balm with SPF 15 or higher to your lips every day to keep them moisturized and plump.
Stick to the Routine!
A facial regime is all about trial and error. Be sure to give products 30-90 days before concluding that a product does not work—these products take time to fully take effect. Once you develop a routine that works for you, stick to it! Every morning and night, wash, moisturize, and apply sunscreen. Forgetting even one day can cause your skin to freak out.
If you find that you have tried dozens of routines, but nothing is working, it might be time to visit a dermatologist. Outside factors such as stress, hormones, and genetics also play a big role in acne.
But remember: it is part of being young. Some people experience acne on a more severe scale than others, and that is okay. Acne does not dictate beauty. Feeling good about yourself is the first step to achieving beauty, inside and out! Contact Bellezza Spa for more information.