Skincare in Your Twenty's- Confessions From a College Student! 

“Girl, it doesn’t matter. My skin always bounces back. And even if it did matter, black don’t crack so I’m good.” The words of a twenty-something when asked about how she felt about skincare.  As much as we’d like to think the decisions we make while we’re young don’t matter, the reality of it is that they do. Although most of us are far from being completely independent, we’ve taken baby steps into adulthood. Adulthood to us right now means that we can do whatever we want, even the things we know we shouldn’t. We make silly decisions with the idea that they won’t impact us solely because we’re young. Choosing not to take care of our skin is one of those decisions. 

• Drinking is almost a staple of any university setting. Whether done casually or in a party setting the consumption of alcohol is almost inevitable. In addition to alcohol, most drinks are full of syrups and sugars that wreak havoc on skin. Excess alcohol can lead to dehydration, breakouts, hormone mix-ups and so on. Next time you drink,  try to consume with your skin and overall health in mind. As a rule of thumb try to counter every drink with a glass of water to stay hydrated and know your limits. Moderation is key!

• You’ve got one body, act like it. A common misconception is that in our young age is that we don’t have to maintain our bodies. Having an exercise routine, healthy diet and water intake is vital to making sure your black doesn’t crack. Nourishing your body from the inside out is essential to having flawless skin for the rest of your life.

• Go to the doctor. Your parents are no longer there to make your appointments and it’s easy to neglect that aspect of your life. Good skin is reflective of good health. It is important to regularly visit the physician. If you are struggling with skin issues there may be an underlying health concern that can be diagnosed by a physician or dermatologist. Don’t wait until symptoms arise or become unbearable to pay your doctor a visit.

• Minimize stress. We get it. Asking you to minimize stress at this point in your life would be like asking you to stop breathing. Life right now is full of long days and even longer nights, but excess stress is known to age skin and cause breakouts at the very minimum.

• Beat faces need breaks too. There’s nothing like your makeup being on point. It highlights your natural beauty and leaves you looking even more flawless already than you already are, but your skin needs a break from time to time. Going bare a few times a week won’t hurt. In addition to going bare, cleaning makeup brushes is vital. Our tools accumulate germs and product build up over time which will result in preventable breakouts.

• Nighttime routines are a must. Establishing a skincare routine is a must. Repeating a regimen or even having a nighttime routine is skin care must. Wild nights out or busy long days result in wanting to hit the sheets as soon as you make it back home. Falling asleep with makeup on is a major NO in terms of skincare. Make sure you cleanse the day off your skin every night. To reduce breakouts and skin problems even further, always make sure you are sleeping with clean pillowcases and headscarves.

Being young is full of limitless possibilities and new experiences. While it is a time full of discovery, it’s also a time for establishing good habits. Creating skincare now routine will keep you looking forever young.