As a freshman, maintaining a skincare routine is extremely important. I’ve realized that ever since I came to college at Temple, my sleep routine and eating routine have contributed a big factor to how my skin is doing. As a freshman, creating a routine is hard and sometimes can’t be followed. Trying to juggle everything becomes hard and unrealistic, so make sure that you have a short skincare routine that is just as impactful as one that has a lot of steps.
In college, it’s more about being efficient and finding shortcuts whenever you can.
Pimple Patches
We’ve all been there; at some point, we get so stressed that we end up breaking out. It’s important to have an established skincare routine to help prevent stress-induced breakouts or stop yourself from picking at your skin during a breakout by utilizing pimple patches.
Pimple patches may work on surface-level acne like pus-filled pimples but are not effective for cystic acne, Healthline reported. My favorite is Mighty Patches ($10.77) and they’re easy to apply as well. Just place them on the spots where you see a new pimple and keep them on overnight to get the best results. It’s also a good way to stop yourself from picking at your pimples and letting the patch do the rest.
Hair Mask and Hair Oils
If you’re an out-of-state student or just attending school far from home, you’ll realize that the water quality here is very different than what you’re used to.
Having a hair mask or hair oils on hand helps to make sure that your hair is healthy and feels good. Hard water, is a mixture of calcium and magnesium in your shower water forms hard water deposits.
Hard water can affect your hair differently depending on your hair type. There are many signs of hard water on hair. This includes frizzy or flat hair, dry scalp and dandruff, hair lacking volume, blocked scalp pores, bacteria growth, brittle weak hair, tangles and messy hair, an excessive amount of hair loss, and a brassy hue.
Hair oils and masks are known to have nutrients and moisture, helping to repair and restore damaged hair. We all know how unhealthy hair makes us feel, and making sure that the scalp has a healthy pH balance and preventing conditions like dandruff and itchiness is important.
Hair oiling is a tradition in the Indian community. I’ve been oiling my hair since I was a child and still oil my hair in college. I use Amla Hair Oil ($9.99) and it works wonders. All you have to do is to part your hair and add oil to the scalp. Repeating these steps and washing your hair an hour after will keep your hair healthy even with the college water.
Face Wash
As students at a city school, we’re constantly exposed to pollutants, dust, and dirt, but our skin isn’t immune to it.
While it’s underrated, face wash helps to cleanse the skin, removing these impurities and preventing them from clogging pores. Regularly washing your face can help control the oil production that’s caused by college stressors, irregular schedules, and sometimes not-so-healthy eating habits.
For my girlies who are struggling with acne, I like Acne Control Cleanser CeraVe for acne struggles ($14.99).
Moisturizer
Moisturizer is basically your cleanser’s best friend, so don’t forget about it. There are so many factors that contribute to bad skin, like irregular sleep patterns, stress, and change in diet
Moisturizers like CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream ($16.61) provide lasting hydration and help maintain the skin barrier to soothe itchy, dry skin on the face and body.
Using a moisturizer is the simplest step to prevent premature aging. It allows the skin to stay moisturized and is less prone to fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of premature aging. The lack of hydration can also lead to the overproduction of oil, which can exacerbate acne.
Lip Oils
Lip oils allow you to make sure your lips are healthy, and nobody likes chapped lips. The
Many lip oils like Gisou ($32) or even Burt’s Bees Lip Oils ($6.79) which is more affordable for a college student.
It almost acts as a barrier for your lips and can help prevent flaking and ensure a smoother application when wearing lipstick. While some may prefer a non-tinted, unscented option, others may opt for a flavored or tinted lip oil. The choice is yours, and it’s endless!
As someone who wasn’t sure what the college environment was going to be like, I’m happy that I brought all of these things. Having these products in my dorm allows me to feel less stressed and I can pamper myself when needed, it’s the best of both worlds.