Ready to
kiss those zits goodbye? We’ve got a school-ready list of tips,
tricks and products that’ll ensure your complexion is clear and
sparkling by the first day.
A is for
Alpha Hydroxy Acid
It sounds
scary, but AHA’s actually help keep your pores clean and your skin
glowing. If you’re prone to blackheads, seek out a cleanser with
this key ingredient.
B is for
bacne
Sadly,
clogged pores aren’t just limited to your face. Changing out of
sports gear quickly and using a body wash with salicylic acid can
help clear up your back.
C is for
cleansing before bed
Remember to
remove your makeup every night before you hit the hay. Seriously,
this one rule that can’t be broken.
D is for
DIY facials
Why dash
out to the drugstore to quick-fix your skin? You can make at-home
facials with items in your fridge. You can mash a banana, mix one
with ¼ cup plain yogurt and 2 tablespoons of honey and pop it on
your face for a few minutes. Rinse it off and unveil clean skin.
E is for
exfoliating
Blast away
excess dirt and dead skin cells (ick) a couple times a week. Don’t
go for anything too gritty (we’re lookin’ at you, apricot
scrub!).
G is for
green tea
Drinking
this natural antioxidant has shown to benefit almost every aspect of
your girl’s health. You don’t have to only drink the tea to reap
the benefits of it: We heart products with calming green tea in them.
H is for a
healthy diet
Eating
right is just as important as washing your face. Here are some basic
diet rules to stick by: Nosh plenty of fruits and veggies; they’re
packed with nutrients your skin needs. Drink lotsa water per day to
wash all the extra oil and other impurities out of your system. Don’t
overdo it on the junk food!
I is for
irritants
Over-exfoliating,
certain facial products and stress can all cause your skin to freak.
Remember to avoid buffing skin more than twice a week, try yoga to
keep stress at bay and only use skin products that are
non-comedogenic (i.e. don’t clog your pores).
J is for
jojoba oil
This
botanical oil has anti-inflammatory properties, hydrates and
rejuvenates the skin and enhances the smoothness and will improve
your complexion. Ironically, it’ll also mop up excess grease from
your face. Add a few drops to your moisturizer to keep skin stable.
K is for
keeping your hair off your face
We know:
Bangs up the cool factor on your coif. Truth is, having all that hair
hanging in your face can lead to breakouts.
L is for
lip scrub
Move over,
balm. Every few weeks take a couple minutes show your kisser some
love by buffing away dead skin (an old toothbrush or some sugar mixed
with olive oil works). You’ll reveal smooth, soft skin.
M is for
moisturizer
Never, ever
skip moisturizing, even if you’re prone to oil. Simply snag a
formula that’s made for your skin type and slather it on after
washing in the a.m. and p.m.
O is for
Omegas
This
nutrient, specifically Omega 3, 6, and 9, are essential fatty acids
that are magnificent for your complexion. They are found in salmon,
avocado and some nuts, so start seeking them out and incorporating
them in your BTS lunches.
P is for
protection against the sun
Slathering
on sunscreen every day is so important, even when the sun is nowhere
to be spotted.
Q is for a
quick fix
Picking is
never the answer and we don’t love the idea of globbing on the
concealer, either. Instead, apply Mario
Badescu Drying Cream—the
yellow color makes zits disappear.
R is for
ridding yourself of redness
Dab a bit
of Visine or saline solution directly onto a blemish to zap it of its
tell-tale color.
S is for
stocking up on spot treaters
There are
tons of spot treatments out there, but how many of them actually
work? We dig Neutrogena
On-The-Spot Acne Treatment,
you can pick it up at your local drugstore and it won’t break the
bank. Best of all, it actually works.
T is for
taking it easy
When you
get a blemish, it’s easy to go into full-on assault mode:
Exfoliating, loads of extra washing, picking, you name it. Instead,
be gentle on your face. Avoid aggravating any bumps you’ve got and
keep up the moisturizing.
U is for
under-eye treatment
First-day
jitters got you up all night? You don’t have to look zonked when
you hit the halls. Use your ring finger to dab on some concealer. Try
Estee Lauder Double Wear
Stay-in-Place Concealer SPF 10—it’s
pricey, but worth it.
V is for
vitamins
Eating for
your complexion isn’t just about avoiding greasy pizza. It’s also
about making sure you add plenty of awesome fruits and veggies to
your diet.
W is for
water
Start
sipping, girl. Every esthetician we’ve ever talked to mentions how
key it is to stay hydrated all day. Buh-bye, toxins.
X is for
xtra sleep
Your whole
body needs at least 8 hours of zzz’s every night. It’s called
beauty sleep for a reason! Not only will you wake feeling more
rested, it’s proven that your skin glows and is generally healthier
after a full night’s sleep. Plus, you don’t have to worry about
those dark circles under your eyes. It’s not Halloween yet, so
there’s no reason to have raccoon eyes!
Y is for
the yuck factor
Your pretty
face comes into contact with a lot of not-so-sparkling stuff—old
makeup brushes, pillowcases that haven’t been washed in a while,
sweaty t-shirts during soccer practice. Take precautions to keep the
world around you clean and you’ll avoid gunking up your face
further.
Z is for
zapping zits
Yes! Tools
like
Zeno, which radiate light into your infected pore and kills
bacteria with heat, actually work. It’s a super easy way to banish
your zits for good and takes practically no time.
BY JESSICA WIGGS ON 8/2/2011 12:00:00 PM
POSTED IN skin problems, get rid of acne, bust breakouts, oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, beauty, tips, skin, back-to-school beauty, bust BTS blemishes