HEALTH & WELLNESS
S PECIAL SECT I ON
TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN
As we learned in grade school, our largest organ is our skin.
Our skin regulates body temperature, protects against the
elements, and gives us the feeling of different sensations. Since
our skin does so much for us, it is important to take care of it.
A skincare routine is important for men and women of all ages,
although it will vary throughout the years.
TEENAGE YEARS
When starting your first skincare routine, it’s important to first
determine your skin type. It’s pretty simple to figure out whether
oily, dry, or combination. Between breakouts and blemishes,
think about how your skin feels on a day-to-day basis. Here are
some do’s and don’ts about treating your skin during your teens:
• DO: Pick a cleanser, scrub, toner, and moisturizer that are
meant for your skin type. Labels make it easy to choose
between the different brands. Many brands have a line of
products developed especially for oily, dry, or combination
skin. It is still important to put on moisturizer if you have
oily skin, but be sure to look for one that is oil-free.
• DO: Look for a moisturizer or foundation that has SPF! It
is important to keep an SPF product on whenever you go
outside to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the
sun in the future (you’ll be so glad you did).
• DON’T: Pick! You can pick your friends, but don’t pick
your stubborn pimples! Although you might want to rid
yourself of whiteheads and blackheads, resist the urge! This
could lead to long-term, damaging effects on your skin.
• DON’T: Leave makeup on overnight. As tempting as it
is to crash after a long day, make sure to give your pores
a rest from makeup. Makeup-removing wipes are a quick
alternative to at least get a majority of products off of your
face.
• DO: Be sure to wipe down your cell phone. Bacteria can live
on the surface and cause major breakouts on your cheeks
and chin if not properly sanitized.
PREVENTION YEARS
As a young adult, it’s important to continue good habits of
caring for your skin. This is the prime age to prevent unwanted
wrinkles that you may start to face in the next five to 10 years.
Now is the time to take charge by:
• Wearing eye cream. We have seen the commercials about
preventing wrinkles. But when do you have to start? NOW!
The skin around your eyes is very thin and just a short
amount of sunlight could cause lasting wrinkles.
• Applying something with SPF to face, neck, and hands.
Skipping the protection of an SPF could throw off your
entire routine. Find a good moisturizer that combines
protection with moisture and apply it to your face, neck, and
hands. The neck and hands are often overlooked, but prime
spots for the sun to hit and cause wrinkles.
• Quitting bad habits. Now is a better time than ever to kick
the bad habits you learned in high school and college. The
number of benefits of canceling your package at the tanning
salon and quitting smoking would take up this entire article,
but for skin’s sake, give them up!
TREATMENT YEARS
Now is the time to treat the years of damage that the sun and
other elements have caused on your skin.
• Put the right nutrients into your body. It’s important to
make sure your body is getting all the nutrients it needs on
the inside for radiant skin on the outside. This includes lots
of water!
• Take cover when heading outside. SPF shouldn’t be skipped
at this age either and should be applied daily. Try adding
a hat and cover your skin to prevent overexposure to the
harmful rays of the sun, even in the cooler months.
• Find a good retinoid. Derived from vitamin-A, retinoids
boost collagen production in the skin to stimulate blood
vessels and unclog pores.
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