You’ve made it half way through the term, but the late nights spent partying and studying are beginning to take their toll on your skin. Here are some cheap and easy ways to revitalise your skin, which should leave you ready to combat those upcoming deadlines!
1) Cold Spoons
If your eyes are feeling tired from staring at your laptop screen until 5am or from too many late nights and 9ams, then this little trick might just work for you. And the best part about it? It doesn’t cost you a dime! Put two metal tablespoons into the fridge overnight and in the morning, rest the spoons under your eyes for as long as you can and see the puffiness fade away. (We were skeptical at first too). You will definitely at least look more awake, so feel more awake too.
2) Treat Yourself
It might not completely change everything, but at Her Campus we believe in treating yourself for your hard work. So you’ve reached mid-term and handed in all your essays (just) so why not treat yourself to a new moisturiser more suitable to the colder weather. We recommend you try a face oil such as Trilology Rosehip Oil (Boots, £16.50) which is great for all skin types and really will bring back your summer dewy skin. Alternatively,just change your skin regime to a new cleanser. There are always new products being introduced, so why not give them a try? You will not only feel great inside from looking after yourself, but your skin will love the change up too.
3) Exfoliation
Feel like your skin is showing how you feel inside by looking tired, lifeless and a little hungover? Exfoliation will change that. After all the crazy things you’ve been doing so far this term, you’ve probably not thought about how your skin has been building up dead skin cells and this will often make your skin look a little clogged up. If your skin is even a little bit sensitive, then either try a homemade sugar scrub or a lactic-acid or papaya based mask. Her Campus also loves Botanics All Bright Face Scrub for a bargain sale price of £1.99 at Boots online. This exfoliator will leave your face feeling silky soft, ready to start the day with a smile!
4) Steaming
A great way to give your skin a deep clean is steaming. Who needs a hot tub or a sauna when you can do it in the comfort of your own home? All you need for this one is a bowl of hot water (but make sure it’s not too hot), and a towel. Just simply lean in towards the steam (professionals recommend no closer than 12 inches), covering the back of your head and bowl with a towel and stay there for 5-10 minutes. This will open your pores and clear blackheads, and is the perfect preparation for indulging in a face mask. And not only is steaming good for your skin, but it’s also a great method for soothing a cough!
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5) Face Masks
So you’re probably missing your parents’ cooking, feeling overwhelmed by deadlines and serious lack of sleep. Why not de-stress and look after your skin by having a night-in with your housemates and make some face masks? This will probably be one of the cheapest and funnest nights-in of the year, with some crazy photos to remember too. There are plenty of videos on Youtube and suggestions on Her Campus such as this Honey Oatmeal Mask. Or if you’re feeling too tired, then you can easily buy sachets like Natural Collection Face Mask Sachets (Boots, £1.00). This will hydrate your skin and won’t leave quite so much mess in the kitchen.
6) Hydration
A simple trick to make a huge difference to your skin is increasing the amount of water your drink. Water carries nutrients to every cell in your body and so helps to hydrate your skin. It also flushes out nasty toxins, clearing your skin of dirt and bacteria. So upping your water intake is a great and simple way to make a real difference to your skin, without breaking your budget. And remember that drinking tea is equally hydrating, if not more so than water! Herbal teas have many health benefits, particularly green tea which is said to help with wrinkles (not that we need to be worrying about those just yet!)
7) Sleep
Often described as nature’s most powerful beauty treatment; sleep really is your best friend when it comes to your skin. When your tired blood doesn’t flow as efficiently, your skin starts to look very tired in the morning. Getting the recommended eight hours gives your skin cells a chance to regenerate and allows your facial muscles to relax, leaving your skin looking recharged.
8) Detox
If you’re really feeling down then a detox week may be the only thing to do to help. Eating a healthy diet will really affect your mood as well as your skin, so cut out the TP burgers, après Arena cheesey chips and alcohol (it is a depressant after all), for one week and we promise you’ll feel and look better. If you can, take the challenge of wearing as little make-up as possible. If this sounds overly daunting, then try a tinted moisturiser for that extra glow. The freedom of not having to take off your make-up at night will definitely be worth it for a week. Not to mention fresher, more alive looking skin. If you’re really scared, then make it a challenge in your house!
Picture credits: Pinterest, Tumblr, www.catholiclane.com, www.seamplicity.com, www.blog.zenmed.com