It is the time of year that your skin really gets hit the hardest. The air is becoming crisper and the wind is starting to pick up. Naturally, your face starts to dry out and become itchy. Midterms don’t help the situation, either- it only adds to the mess with stress pimples. I can tell you that after the weekends of drinking and then Sunday nights of stressing out about homework, I without fail always wake up with a pimple on my face come Monday morning.
I started looking up ways to combat this annoying little pest. I came across this great article that told me everything I needed to know about how to care for my face during these winter months in Boston. I also did some research and found out how to make some at home facemasks that really help to soothe your face and give you some moisture back.
First, let’s talk about skin care. Honestly, I always thought this was kind of a joke. I am the girl that leaves her makeup on and goes to sleep without a worry, but recent months have shown me that you really have to care for your skin if you want to keep it looking healthy. I know that skin care differs for different types of skin, but there are a few simple things you can do to just promote the general health of your skin.
Easy ways to care for your skin:
Wash your face, not just with water. Use a cleanser that is made for the type of skin you have. If you use it daily it will help to get rid of any dirt or micro-bacteria that has made its way into your skin throughout the day. This should just become a regular part of your night time routine.
Tap dry your face, do not rub. This might seem weird, but it really helps keep your facial skin intact. The skin on our face is very sensitive. When you rub at it you tend to rub away the top layers of skin that protect your face from the elements. If you tap dry your skin, you are more likely to keep these layers healthy.
Moisturize. This seems self-explanatory, but honestly there is a right and a wrong way to moisturize you face. First, you should invest in a face lotion. Body lotions sometimes have extra oils that will make you skin feel oily. Also, it is best to moisturize about 30 minutes after a shower when you are drier, and your pores aren’t open from the heat. If you lotion your face too close to a shower, you risk getting too much lotion into your pores and clogging them. It helps if your skin has had some time to breathe without anything on it.
Finally, if you have time, you should really try using a facemask. This will give you time to relax and take some time for yourself, but it also is great for your skin. Here are a few examples of at-home facemasks you can use.
1) Papaya: You can use the papaya skin to rub on your skin. This is amazing for wrinkles or any unwanted lines. Once you have applied, just sit back and relax for about 20 minutes. Then just wash your face with some water.
2) Honey and cinnamon: This one is kind of messy, but it works to exfoliate the skin. It can be used as an overall face mask. I like to use this one on a Saturday afternoon when I have time to just close my eyes and relax.
3) Lemon and Yogurt: This one helps to lift and tighten skin. I’m not totally sure how it works, but I applied it under my eyes and it actually made a difference within the day.
4) Sour cream, honey and apple cider: Combine sour cream with honey and apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Apply to your cleansed face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with water followed by a cool rinse. This one is purely a superficial mask, but it really brightens up your face.
Well, I hope this helps you guys get through these cold months. It’s rough out there, let’s make sure our skin stays soft and smoothe.
Work Cited:
http://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/skincare/skincare-face/get-gorgeous-skin-all-day-long
http://www.womansday.com/style-beauty/beauty-tips-products/8-do-it-yourself-home-facials-106030
http://www.pinterest.com/navejune/avocado-facial-mask/