Seven ways to improve and maintain your skin this school year
Transitioning back to school from a summer under the sun can be stressful for many students.
Between a new environment, schedule, and diet, your skin health can become disrupted, leaving it blotchy, dry and even causing it to break out. If you’re heading back to school this fall, packing a little somethin’ extra in your backpack may be just what the doctor ordered.
Unsure of where to start? No worries! We have compiled a list of to-do’s that are easy to manage with a busy schedule and added in a few tips and tricks of our own from what products to use to what foods you should eat. You’ll find everything you need for a healthier complexion to accompany your A+ grades.
Cleanse Your Face, Morning and Night
No matter what your schedule is packed with, carving out a few moments in the morning and the evening to wash your face is necessary for skin health. This will help rid your skin of free radicals, dirt, and debris it may have picked up throughout the day, leaving minimal room for unwanted breakouts from clogged pores. For best results, be sure to wash your face with a gentle cleanser, free of perfume smells. We recommend the ZO® Skin Health Gentle Cleanser. This will help prevent dirt and makeup from clogging your pores.
Don’t Sleep In Your Makeup
How many times have you heard this one? For us, we can’t say it enough! Taking off your makeup at the end of your day is such a vital part of your skincare routine to help keep your skin looking and feeling its best. Makeup can trap dirt and environmental pollutants inside the skin and can cause an increase in free radicals, which can cause DNA mutations, collage degradation and over time, result in premature aging.
Mind Your Diet
A good skincare routine should be used in conjunction with a healthy, balanced diet. Eating foods that are rich in leafy greens and low in sugar and processed foods is the best first step to mixing up your diet if you haven’t already. We’re not saying to cut out those late night McDonald’s runs completely, but a healthy balance is necessary for optimal skin health.
Spa Days and ‘Me’ Time
Ah, we love a day where we can just focus on ourselves for a change. While these kinds of days are great to relax and veg out with our favorite show on, they are useful to maintain our clear, healthy skin.
Once a week we recommend exfoliating your skin and using a face mask. We recommend our ZO® Skin Health Exfoliating Cleanser and our ZO® Skin Health Complexion Clearing Masque for best results.
Drink Your Water
Dehydration is one of the leading causes of dry skin. It can also cause dark circles around the eyes, and even acne. Since our bodies are made of mostly water, it’s essential we are intaking the proper amount of water each day to help ensure we are hydrated and battling that dry skin appropriately.
Stash a water bottle in your backpack for on-the-go hydration. You can even try to switch out your daily coffee or energy drink for an herbal tea or coconut water when possible.
Say, “Goodbye,” to Makeup Wipes
Believe it or not, makeup wipes are not the most beneficial to your face and removing makeup like we may think. Often, makeup wipes contain high levels of alcohol and harmful chemicals which can cause dryness and irritation and disrupt the PH balance of your skin.
The texture of the wipes also pose a risk as it can cause micro-tears in the skin, causing signs of premature aging over time. We recommend using Micellar Water to help remove makeup and debris prior to washing your face.
Get Some Rest
Pulling all-nighters might seem like the most beneficial thing to do when it comes to finishing homework or cramming for a test, but a good, restful sleep is essential for proper skin cell and tissue rejuvenation.
Before you get snuggled into bed, put away your schoolwork, make your to-do lists, and put down your phone as these are not the very last things you want to see before falling asleep. Instead, opt for a good book to read, chat with a friend, or listen to some calming music to get settled into bed.
Keep your healthy skin all semester long
Let us help you maintain your skin for more than just this semester. If you have questions about how to tackle your skin’s needs, schedule your complimentary consultation with a member of our team and craft your personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your desired results.