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Whenever people bring up practicing better healthcare routines, what’s the first thing you think of? Your diet? Your current level of physical activity? Your emotional well-being? It’s true that all these play a vital role in your health, and you should always stay on top of them. However, it’s also important to take care of smaller parts of your health, like your skin, especially in college. The health of your skin is a sign of how you’re doing overall, and it’s best to start early. In this article, we’ll be covering a few ways you can take better care of your skin.
Determine Your Skin Type
Before any kind of skin care regimen can be implemented, you need to assess what type of skin you have. There are five different types of skin that a person can have:
- Normal
- Oily
- Dry
- Sensitive
- Combination of both dry and oily
There are quite a few ways you can figure out your skin type, but a surefire way to know is to see a dermatologist. Once you’re certain about what you have, then you can start coming up with the right treatment plan.
Relieve Monday Stress
Stress is the source of almost every problem you can imagine, and the quality of your skin is no different. When we are stressed, our bodies release a hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol can significantly increase the amount of oil your body produces, which can clog your pores faster. As a result, you can be more prone to acne breakouts and rosacea. To eliminate stress, you need to pinpoint the source of it. College is known to be a significant source of stress for everyone even when you’re not officially enrolled. Degrees are expensive and traditional loans might not be the best option because of the interest rates. However, you don’t have to worry about your student debt dragging you down if you take out a private student loan. Private student loans are no different than regular ones; the sole exception is that the interest rate and term can be more favorable.
Carefully Analyze Over the Counter Skin Products
When people want to take care better care of their appearance, it’s almost instinctual to purchase OTC products. These products are made with all sorts of ingredients that promise to cleanse and soften. But is that really the case? Because everyone has different skin, what you put on it may not have the same effect. If you’re someone who has dry skin, using products containing alcohol or salicylic acid is not recommended.
On the contrary, those younger adults with oily skin need to avoid products that have an abundance of oils. Another thing we need to point out is to wait until you receive a prescription from a licensed dermatologist before buying any OTC products. Blindly purchasing something can make your skin feel worse and exacerbate current issues.
Wash Your Face Gently and Thoroughly
Washing your face isn’t only splashing hot water on your face to rinse off soap. It’s a delicate process and one that requires a little bit of patience, even if you’re short on time in between classes, homework, and social activities. Start by setting the water to a lukewarm temperature. From there, you’ll want to open your pores with a cloth. Run the cloth under the water, ring it out, and then rest it on your face for about two to three minutes. Then, either use one of the products your dermatologist prescribed or a gentle soap.
A common mistake many people make when doing this is that they scrub the soap into their skin. However, this can cause more harm than good as scrubbing can irritate your skin further than it already is. Remember to be gentle and follow the instructions of your dermatologist.