Being a college student has its perks, but unfortunately, having an unlimited budget for beauty products isn’t one of them. Before you go wasting your hard earned cash, here are some great ways to get the beautiful skin you crave. Oh, and did I mention they’re free?!
1) Sleep
Anyone who’s ever said, “Wow, you look tired!” never meant it as a compliment. We’ve all heard how important sleep is for everything from your brain function to your mood swings but it’s just as important for your skin too! Instead of staying up that extra hour at night to watch Sex and the City reruns that you’ve seen 5 times already (yep, she still ends up with Mr. Big), go to bed early and get your full 6-8 hours. This is when your body recharges and renews itself and your skin does the
same. Getting a good night’s sleep helps replenish your skin, giving you that fresh glow that we spend lots of money on. Skip the expensive “glow in a bottle” product and turn off the TV. Trust me, your skin will thank you!
2) Exercise
Not only is this good for your waistline but exercise is actually awesome for your skin. By getting your heart rate up, this increases your circulation, blood flow and oxygen to your skin. I know it sounds weird but your skin is still a living thing and needs oxygen just like all living things do. This will give you a healthy, refreshed look that some people pay big money for. Try to work up a sweat too. When your body perspires it’s also eliminating toxins from within and has a natural cleansing agent.
All those “deep penetrating” and “super duper cleansers” don’t even compare to what your body can do on its own everyday!
3) Water
We all know the saying, “You are what you eat.” But even more, you are what you drink! By drinking what is pure, fresh and clean, your skin will look the same. All those chemicals in sodas, energy drinks and iced caramel mocha-lattes with chocolate whipped cream on top actually deprive your skin of the hydration it needs to look its best. And guess what… all those great cleansers, toners, moisturizers
we buy, contain lots of water anyway (seriously, look at the ingredient list). There are tons of water fountains on campus, every time you walk by one take a 10 second water break. Do this 8-10 times and you have what it takes to keep your skin hydrated and moist. Bonus: if you carry an extra water bottle with you and double bonus if you switch out those non-H2O beverages for some ice cold skin-pick-me-up waters.
4) Give up your bad habits
Whether it’s smoking, drinking or eating junk food, these all lead to the same result… a complexion that shows you don’t take care of yourself. Remember the oxygen thing (Tip #2), when you smoke, instead of inhaling pure O2, you’re breathing in countless chemicals and poisons that literally suffocate your skin, SCARY! Remember the hydration thing (Tip #3), alcohol is the arch nemesis of water. It dehydrates your whole body, including your skin and leaves your complexion looking as dull as you feel after a night of heavy drinking. Junk food is also a culprit in unhealthy skin. With not a great nutritional value (that’s why it’s called junk food), your skin doesn’t get the vitamins and minerals it needs either, which has negative effects on the look and feel of your skin over time. By giving these vices up, not only is it free but you actually SAVE money! Cigarettes, alcohol and late night runs to McDonalds really add up and drain your bank account. By kicking these bad habits, you can save so much money and have great skin! More money, better skin, it’s a no-brainer!
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Sarah Felix is a senior at the University of Oregon, graduating in June. She is a double major in Psychology and Sociology and a minor in Communications. She also has received her Oregon Esthetician’s License and currently in the process of obtaining her Oregon Medical Esthetician’s License. She loves fashion, beauty and anything that makes her laugh. She’s a permanent Duck fan that “Lives GREEN and yells O!”