Keeping your skin clear

For a teenager, acne breakouts are a very common occurrence. Even with washing and moisturizing your face twice a day: high levels of stress, dirty makeup brushes or sheets, or even your diet are contributors to high levels of acne. However, there are ways to help prevent or at least minimize these acne breakouts.  

During the stress-free summer, faces are clear and there is an all-around joy in the air whereas months into school faces are breaking out and it feels as if you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, especially if you’re a senior. College apps, school, sports, community service, and trying to have a social life all contribute to a very stressful environment which leads to breaking out. According to dermalogica, stress causes the adrenal glands to go into overdrive, which produces more oils and thus more breakouts. To prevent stress related breakouts try yoga, working out, going to sleep early, staying on top of work, and try to maintain a positive attitude.

Cleaning your sheets and makeup brushes regularly is something that should not jut be done to keep your skin clear, but also for the hygienic reason. Makeup brushes touch your face, your makeup, bathroom counters, and etc these all have bacteria on them which you are then putting on your face again and again. Cleaning them can be quite easy: rinse the bristles in water (don’t get water above the handle), gently massage in soap (baby shampoo works well), rinse it again, squeeze the water out, and let it dry on a towel overnight. Foundation/ concealer brushes should be cleaned about once a week, eye brushes around twice a month, and everything else should be once a month. Bacteria also lurks on pillow cases and bed sheets. Going to bed with product in your hair, makeup on your face, or other substances on your face can cause a bacteria build-up leading to more acne. To avoid this wash your bed sheets every week or two, however your pillowcase should be changed or washed every 3-4 days to really avoid breakouts.

Unfortunately the food most people enjoy is not only bad for your body but also for your skin. Consuming a lot of junk food, fast food, and foods with a lot of sugar may cause you to see an increase of acne. The main reason is because it causes a spike in blood sugar which consequently causes change in hormones in the body. So make sure when you consume white bread, chips, cakes, and cookies within reason. In contrast to the foods that cause harm to your skin, there are foods to help. These foods include fish, natural juices, yogurt, dark chocolate, and even pickles.

Wash your face twice a day, clean your brushes and sheets, take a break to relax, and eat well. Not only will your face thank you, but so will your whole body.

By Sierra Clayton