As if college freshman didn’t have it hard enough delving into the world of lectures and doing their laundry for the first time, the freshman fifteen is a very real occurrence.
According to a https://www.health.com/family/college-gain-weight, 70% of students gain weight during college. What many people fail to realize is that weight gain and acne breakouts go hand in hand. I arrived at college with fresh baby-like skin and am now dealing with zits and a nose with bulging blackheads! I can’t be the only one that’s suffering from what I’m now coining as “Stressed Out Skin Syndrome” aka the new freshman fifteen.
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What Went Wrong?
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My skincare routine before college was pretty basic and by basic I mean I would wipe off my makeup after a long day. I think everyone can agree with me that good genes and a healthy diet are the key components to having that dewy glow every Insta-baddie has. So, yes I can openly admit that I used to indulge in colorful plates of nourishing vegan meals when I was a privileged high schooler whose only worry was an occasional math test (take me back). Flash forward to today and my twice a day meal is a veggie burger and fries thanks to my on-campus dining options. Due to late nights, never washing my hair, and one cup of water a day (at most), my skin is going through the kind of mid-life crisis a 50-year- old man experiences. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you my hairline is bordering a village of zits.
- So, now what?
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Your skin is pretty much a physical warning sign screaming for help. Sure, there are go-to self-care techniques like buying the latest overpriced Korean face mask at Urban Outfitters, but we need to get to the root of the problem.It all goes back to the freshman fifteen. Disturbances like bad sleep, stress, and poor nutrition all contribute to the tragedy of your complexion post-college. Here is my plan of rejuvenation for this semester.
- Wash your face, sis.
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Yes, seriously, it is as simple as that. Round of applause to anyone that takes off their makeup at the end of the day because your skin is probably a lot better than mine right now. Implementing a skincare routine will do wonders for my skin since my only routine is letting my makeup absorb into my skin until it’s gone. However, beauty junkies are warned, according to WebMD, using too many products can strip your skin of its natural oils and cause more harm than help.
- Catch Some Z’s
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You’ve heard of a low carb diet, so let me introduce you to a low-stress lifestyle. The National Sleep Foundation suggests seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night and for good reason: better sleep means better skin! So, grab yourself some warm lemon water and a good book and live luxuriously low stress.
- How to Incorporate Skin Care Into Your Daily Dorm Life
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After a day of back to back lectures, your first instinct may be to plop down in your bed and scroll on Twitter until you fall asleep. Taking ten minutes out of your evening to develop a quick skin care routine is easier said than done, but your skin will be thanking you! Let your first priority be your skin. Keep makeup wipes readily available on your bedside table. Set out your skincare products to remind yourself the importance of sticking to a routine. After a while, your routine will not only become something you look forward to, but a sacred time dedicated to your well being!
Whether you might battle with weight gain or breakouts this semester, it’s time to prioritize self-care all year long! Self-care can come in many forms; so, start with showing your skin some love. Skin is our largest organ after all!