Back-To-School Skincare Essentials

Exfoliate

After spending time in the sun all Summer long, our faces show signs of sun damage – think pigmentation and fine lines. You can easily brighten your skin by adding a gentle facial scrub or an exfoliating acid product into your routine once or twice a week. Keep in mind that although you may be spending less time outside, you still need an oil-free sunscreen to protect your skin from any additional damage.

Find The Right Cleanser

Of course cleansing is non-negotiable when it comes to skincare; however, finding the best formula for your skin can be difficult. First, determine your skin type:

Dry Skin

If your skin is often itchy and flaky, or just generally feels tight, you need a cleanser that handles dirt and impurities without stripping away your natural oils. Look for a hydrating face wash – those made with essential oils, glycerin or hyaluronic acid work really well.

Oily Skin

If your pores are larger and more visible, and you quickly develop a sheen after cleansing, you have oily skin. There are a few different options for you, but you definitely want a face wash with oil-control. Many formulas include charcoal, which does a great job of deeply purifying pores and regulating oil production. Something that’s formulated to balance pH also works well by slowing bacteria growth and preventing breakouts.

Combination Skin

If your skin is drier alongside your cheeks and oily in the T-Zone (forehead, nose and chin), then you have combination skin. You want a balanced facial cleanser that’ll give you both a thorough clean and hydration. Similar to cleansers for dry skin, you want something that will wash away the grime and oil on the surface of your skin, without stripping away the moisture and natural oils underneath.

Sensitive Skin

You likely already know if you have sensitive skin – if your skin is often red and irritated, especially after cleansing, you have sensitive skin. You should look for a dense, foamy and creamy cleanser with soothing ingredients like aloe. A formula that balances pH is also beneficial in combating dryness and irritation.

Once you find the best formula, never skimp on cleansing – every morning and every evening before bed!

Moisturize

No matter what your skin type is, we all need to moisturize our skin. If you happen to have oily skin, there are certain moisturizers that give your skin the hydration it needs while reducing excess shine with a matte finish. Pro tip: don’t completely dry your skin after cleansing. Applying your moisturizer to damp skin will lock in hydration.

Try a BB or CC Cream

When wearing makeup for an entire day, it’s best to use lightweight products to keep our skin happy. BB creams are a great replacement for heavy foundations because they even out skin tone and provide hydration. CC creams are quite similar, but generally provide slightly more coverage and color correcting benefits.

Keep Cleansing Wipes On Hand

If you’re in school and have PE class, you should definitely keep facial cleansing wipes in your bag so you can clean up any sweat, dirt and grime that may have accumulated. Even if you’re no longer in school, having an easy way to wipe away any sweat is always a good idea if you want to avoid clogged pores and breakouts.

Minimize Stress

Of course your overall health and well being is extremely important – you have to take care of yourself in order to take care of your skin! Make sure that you’re getting enough sleep and taking steps to de-stress. Getting any sort of physical activity will help you sleep well and will improve your skin’s circulation, which can take care of dark circles and dullness.