5 Skin Care Tips For College Girls To Combat The Stress Of All That Studying (And Partying)
As a busy college girl, I know that skin care is not, or at least should not, be your number one priority. However, either way, our skin is a prominent part of our physical appearance and does go noted by those around us.
One thing that I can say is that I have never had so many breakouts in my entire teenage career as I have in college. I don’t know if it is the stress, lack of sleep, or change in diet, but college has made me breakout more than I ever did going through puberty.
I think that when girls go to college, a large part of their beauty routine is forced to change. Is it that the amount of alcohol and coffee you consume has increased while your water consumption has decreased? Or maybe, the topical cream you used to apply every night has run out? Either way, your skin is changing.
In my first year of college I have experienced uncontrollable and untimely breakouts, which I was not at all equipped to handle. However, after doing some research and trying various methods, I found the perfect 5 tips for college girls who want clear skin.
I have personally tried all of the following methods of skin care and recommend them to anyone with neutral skin (skin that is both oily and dry):
Vitamin E Pills
Vitamin E Pills have always been a part of my regular skin care practices. My mother swears by it! No matter what it is: a cut, an indistinguishable bump, stretch marks, etc. my mom claims that Vitamin E can cure it. Usually I take 2 pills every night orally, and apply it to any blemishes at night. Even if you choose not to take it religiously like I do, it is always handy to have a bottle around.
Unscented lotions and body washes
ALL I USE! I never use scented shower gels or even shea butter lotion. If it does not say “fragrance free” then it stays on the shelf. Personally, I have extremely sensitive skin so I have to use these products, but they are still helpful to people with tougher skin. The chemicals used to make gels/lotions have a scent can be harmful to your skin and irritate it. In order to avoid red splotches and itchiness, avoid heavily scented products. Some of my favorites brands that produce fragrance-free products are Dove, Aveeno, Cetaphil, and Eucerin.
Water
On campus, you can rarely see me without my purple water bottle. I keep it on my desk when I am in my room, in my bag when I am walking around and by my bed while I am sleeping. Drinking water does wonders to your body in general. Once you work water into your schedule (especially if you cut out soda and juice) then you will see a dramatic difference in your skin. No, if you drink one glass of water a day then your skin will not resemble that of a young child. However, if you drink 8 glasses of water a day then you will see improvement in the texture, complexion, and color. Not only will your skin look better, but you will FEEL better.
Avocados
What a lot of ladies don’t realize is that your skin is dependent on what you put in your body, not on it. Avocados are one of the best foods for your skin! Eating avocados is great for your skin, waistline, cholesterol and blood pressure. WARNING: Ordering yourself a side of chips and guacamole at Rosa Mexicana will not work! Your best bet is to watch your favorite show with a plain avocado in one hand and a spoon in the other. OR if you’re like me and simply can’t take the taste, make yourself a mask! Mashed avocados can be applied directly to your skin to hydrate and make your skin glow!
Green Tea
If green tea is not a regular on your grocery list yet, you need to make it a number one priority! There are so many ways that one can use green tea to improve their skin, however, as a college girl, our dorms (and schedules!) do not always allow us to create paste masks or have a steam facial. No worries there are still alternative options! Some mornings when I want a fresh-faced look, but cannot find the time to use a facial, I use the hot tea bag remedy. I take a green tea bag, run it under hot water, squeeze it, and rub the tea bag over my face for a few minutes. Also, try to drink a cup of green tea a couple nights a week before you go to bed. The less sugar and honey you add to it, the better. You will see a huge difference in your skin!
I cannot guarantee that if you do these things that you will suddenly turn into a Cover Girl spokeswoman, but I can say that I have tried all of these methods myself and they worked for me. Try them out for yourself and decide which methods are best for you! Whichever you choose, or don’t choose, make sure that you are consistent! Consistency is key. Creating a weekly regime will have your skin looking its best all semester.