By Beatrix Potter
College is an exciting time, but between class schedules, intense study periods, sports activities and a busy social calendar, it can also be a stressful time. Keeping on top of your health is extremely important during this time, and skincare is no exception. Develop healthy habits now and you will find that your skin, and overall health, will benefit from your choices years later!
Lead A Healthy Lifestyle
You may be tempted to skip a meal or just order a quick takeout. But the truth is that want you put into your body will reflect itself on your skin. Start by looking after yourself internally by eating a healthy and balanced diet.
Start developing healthy lifestyles choices too. Don’t smoke, however tempting or pressured you might feel, and try to include exercise into your day. Another important factor is sleep. Make sure that you are getting plenty of rest each night. Not only will this help you in your studies, but it will improve your overall health and skin quality.
Drink Plenty Of Water
An important part of a healthy lifestyle and healthy skin is hydration. Your body and skin need plenty of water, so find a water bottle that you can carry around with you and make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day. An added bonus of drinking plenty of water is that it helps your stomach to feel fuller for longer, so you are less likely to indulge in unhealthy foods during your meals.
Create A Skin Care Regime
Create a skin care regime for yourself that you can stick to.
“Ideally you want to wash your face with a good quality cleanser,” says Sabrina James, a beauty blogger at Writing Services and UKWritings. “The best cleansers are the ones that are fragrance-free and that don’t contain dyes that irritate your skin. Make sure you moisturize too, even if you suffer from oily skin, as this will help to keep your skin hydrated. Most importantly of all is to make sure that you cleanse and moisturize before bed. This means removing your make-up before going to bed, no matter how tired you might be!”
Use Quality Cosmetics
The type of make-up you wear has a big impact on your skin. As a student, you might be tempted to buy cheaper products, but the quality of the cosmetics you use is important to consider. If possible, use mineral make-up. Bacteria are unable to grow in minerals, so these types of cosmetics are better quality for your skin.
Remember to keep you brushes clean too as this will help prevent bacteria from growing. Aim to clean them each week using some gentle soap and then leave them out to try.
Use Sunscreen Daily
Protecting your skin from harmful sun rays should become part of your daily routine.
“As well as increased risk of skin cancer, harmful sun rays also cause damage that leads to skin ageing,” explains Sheila Martin, a health writer at Boomessays and Big Assignments. “Firstly, avoid tanning beds. Secondly, use sunscreen every day. Some moisturizers now include SPF and these are great for daily use. But remember that you also need to protect the rest of your skin, particularly your neck, shoulders and arms. Clothes alone, such as T-shirts, don’t offer sufficient protection, so remember to apply sunscreen before you go out all year round.”
Keep Your Lips Hydrated
Lips can be easily forgotten, but cracked or dry lips can lead to infection. Keep your lips hydrated and looking great by using lip balm, preferably one that has an SPF factor. Consider the type of lipstick or lip gloss you wear. Lip gloss absorbs more UV rays than normal, which can lead to skin cancers on your lips. Protect your lips from these damaging rays by making sure you apply lip balm with SPF underneath your lip gloss.
Protect Your Feet
Another often neglected area is our feet. Communal showering facilities are breeding grounds for fungus and bacteria that cause foot diseases. Invest in a cheap pair of flip-flops that you can wear every time to use any communal facilities to keep your feet healthy. Remember to wear comfortable and well-fitting shoes and make sure you dry and moisturize your feet carefully.
Beatrix Potter is a health writer for Nursing Assignments and Eliteassignmenthelp.com websites. She writes extensively about students’ health and regularly blogs at Homework Help portal.