Jen's Journal

I didn’t want to write a typical (things I’ve learned in 22 years) because there’s still so much I haven’t experienced, still, so much I haven’t learned that it seemed pointless to try. So instead I thought it would be fun to write a skincare blog today, even though I am NOT a skincare expert! I thought sharing some of the things that have worked for me might help some people out. I’ve made them as general as I could but some of them apply to my skincare type (combination skin). This is a personal list of years of research and trial and error as a 22-year-old lady. So here we go, 22 things I’ve learned about skincare!

1. Research, Research, Research!

Skincare is different from person to person, from environment to environment, and from individual habits. This list is largely based on research I have done over the last eight years or so. Before buying any product, I read reviews. Before trying out a remedy or practice, I read blogs from people who have tried things for years to see if they are effective. Anytime I test out a new product I give it time to work because most products don’t work instantly. Whatever it is you’re buying or trying out, always do your research first! I suggest doing research on your type of skin and looking at the best products and practices for you as an individual. The more you personalize your routine, the better they will work!

• Your Environment Can Affect Your Skin

In high school, I lived next to a Purina Factory and a major highway. My skin was suffering and nothing I did seemed to help. As soon as I moved away I noticed I had to wash my face a lot less and that my skin was clearing. I still had the occasional pimple once a month but it wasn’t nearly as bad as it was in that neighborhood. I understand moving isn’t always an option but this helped me realize that it wasn’t all my fault. Sometimes these things are out of our control and we can’t blame ourselves for having a full face of acne. Once I figured this out, I stopped feeling guilty and started doing some practices that have helped me to this day.

• Always Wash Your Hands Before Touching Your Face

This is a habit I got into early on and one I use daily. Now more than ever it is important to wash your hands. Touching your face without washing your hands first can spread the germs that were there all over your face. Even if all you want to do is apply moisturizer, do it with clean hands!

• Drink Plenty of Water and Green Tea

It wasn’t until my sophomore year of college that I realized most of my problems would be solved if I just drank more water. I was living at an altitude of more than 7,000 feet so naturally, everyone carried around a water bottle. I noticed an immediate difference. Well, more like a week or two. My skin cleared up quickly and I felt so much healthier. I was more full in between meals, which is a good thing when you’re a poor college student. Green tea I started drinking later on. I found I not only had clearer skin but I also got sick a lot less often. You can read all of the benefits of green tea on your own time, there’s a lot of them!

• Only Put Makeup on Your Eyes if You Have to Wear a Mask

This might be difficult for someone who is used to a full face of makeup but just remember that no one will see your face under the mask! I just use makeup on my eyes nowadays because it’s easier to take off at night and I don’t break out when I have to wear it for long periods. It has also given me a chance to explore eye pallets and play around with colors which I don’t normally do. Times are changing quickly and the best thing to do is adjust because no one knows how long this will all last.

• If You Live in a Dry Climate, Moisturize!

No matter the weather, my skin is dry in some places year-round. I think people think moisturizer is an unnecessary step in a skincare routine or that it is too expensive. Not if you have dry skin AND live in a dry climate! It’s kind of like feeding your skin the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and glowing, which is always a good thing! Again I encourage you to research the kind of moisturizer that would be good for you, or if a hydrating cream would work better. I use Origins moisturizer and have been for a while.

Once I find a product I like I stick to it! That’s something else I’ve learned over the years, if you continually change your products you’re not giving them enough time to settle in and make any changes to your skin. Be patient with any kind of product.

• Wear Masks Only Once a Week if Necessary

Masks can either be really good for the skin or drying. I like to use them only once in a while when I get a stubborn pimple or when I’m trying to get rid of acne scars. Nothing I have found clears them completely so if you know please share!

• Never go to Sleep with a Full Face of Makeup

I struggled a lot with this one on late nights in college when I was just too drunk to function. We’ve all been there and sometimes you just forget to take the makeup off. If that happens know that there will be consequences! Even if you wash your face first thing in the morning there’s still a chance of breaking out after a night like this. Honestly, if you’re at home and know that you’ll drink I recommend just not wearing any so that you don’t have to worry about it. But if you do want to wear makeup, wipes can sometimes be the easiest way to take it all off.

• Wear Sunscreen Every Day

I cannot stress this one enough. Sunscreen is the best way to protect your skin if you go outside a lot. A bonus is that wearing sunscreen every day can help prevent getting wrinkles too soon. I use Origins sunscreen because it’s a tinted moisturizer and a sunscreen all in one!

Plus I think the most effective way to try out brands is to check out a few products from them. Oftentimes products of the same brand work a lot better together and I’ve found Origins products are good for my type of skin.

1. Apply Chapstick on Before Lipstick

This is a trip I learned from a TV show years ago. Chapstick is a great moisturizer for lips and a nice primer for lipstick. I find when I do this the lipstick lasts longer and looks a lot smoother too. My favorite brand of Chapstick is Burt’s Bees, but again there’s hundreds of brands so get the one you think is best for you!

1. Make Your Own Lip Scrubs

If you do a quick Pinterest search on DIY lip scrubs you’ll find out how easy it is to make them at home. Most of them just take a few ingredients. The one I tried was vanilla and spearmint flavored one. All you need is coconut oil, sugar, and vanilla extract and/or spearmint. I did about a cup of sugar, a few spoonfuls of coconut oil, and just a few drops of vanilla as it is very strong. I mixed them until I was satisfied with the texture. It was that easy!

1. Eye Creams Can Be Used as a Primer

This I found out very recently so I’m still testing it out. So far though it makes for a good lid primer for eyeshadow and concealer. Eye creams generally leave the area around your eye shiny and oily looking. Combined with eyeshadow and concealer they just make your eyes look awake and happy! I use Kiehl’s creamy eye treatment.

I bought it a few years ago and there’s still plenty in there! Remember that with eye creams, a little goes a long way.

1. Clean Your Brushes Regularly

By now you’re probably tired of this saying. I know there’s not always time for this but it is something you have to keep in mind. If you’re breaking out a lot and can’t remember the last time you cleaned your brushes, that’s probably a reason! It’s super easy and does not take much of your time. All I do is run them under warm water and use hand soap to clean them. I do this until the water runs clear and then I set them to dry standing up, with the brush part down. I usually use a small (clean) towel under them instead of placing them directly on the counter. I try to do this twice a month or so, but I also don’t use makeup very often. If you do then maybe once or twice a week might be better for your brushes and your skin!

1. Sometimes with Dry Skin, less is More

What I mean here is that I don’t have to wash my face daily. I used to every morning and right before bedtime, and I found that my skin was very dry some days. If you’re someone like me who doesn’t wear makeup often, washing your face is not necessary every day. I wash it when it starts to feel oily when I want to take my makeup off, or if I was sweating a lot during the day. Now, again I should say that this does not work for everyone. Do so at your own risk and if you do wash your face daily, try to choose a cleanser that isn’t too drying.

1. Never Pop a Pimple

You’ve probably heard this a lot too but it is an important one! This is one sure way to get acne scars that don’t go away easily. I still have scars from the days where I thought this would be a good idea. I know it is unfortunate and sometimes they happen on special days where you’ll have to take lots of pictures. Whenever they happen though this is never a good idea.

1. There are Free Ways to Open up Your Pores

One thing you can do instead of popping a pimple is to open up your pores. I don’t do this much anymore but when my acne was bad I used to run hot water in the bathroom sink and dip my head in close. I would wrap a towel around my head so that I could create a face sauna. It cleared up my pores and I didn’t have to pay anything to do it. I will say though that it can be hard to breathe under there so do not go under for long. One to three minutes should be more than enough and if you need to breathe do so.

1. If You get Back Acne, a Luffa is Essential

My partner has back acne and I noticed I’ve never had it. The reason why is probably because I’ve used a luffa since I would remember. It does a great job of exfoliating your skin. I got my partner to try this and since then his back has cleared. It’s not completely gone, as this is a process that requires time and patience. However, if it is on your back then you get to decide who sees that.

1. Wash Your Towels Often

I don’t just mean regular towels, I mean hand and face towels as well. If they start smelling funky or have become too moist, it is probably time to wash them. Remember that everything that touches your face can affect it in a good or bad way.

1. Wash Your Pillowcase and Anything That Touches Your Face

Along with this I also want to bring up that our faces touch pillowcases and phones every day. Washing your pillowcase often can prevent breakouts. Since I started washing mine I notice that I no longer wake up with pimples. As for your phone, you more than anyone know where its been. If you take it everywhere with you, including the bathroom, you should probably clean it often. This is something that touches your face a lot if you make a lot of calls. Once more please remember that everything that touches your face should be clean and germ-free, or you risk getting that on your face!

• If You Shave, Guys Shaving Cream is Better for Preventing Nicks and Cuts

My cousin told me about this one. I don’t shave my legs at all in the winter but in the summer when I can wear a cute dress I like shaving. I’ve tried various brands of women’s shaving cream and with all of them, I got nicks and even cuts sometimes. My cousin told me she uses Men’s shaving cream because it’s designed for facial hair, so it is made to prevent nicks and such. Since I started using men’s shaving cream I haven’t noticed a single cut anywhere. It is super thick for a reason. It might be annoying if the smell is strong but I usually shave before using body wash. I recommend getting one that smells good to override the shaving cream smell. If its stubborn, scented body lotion should get rid of the smell.

• Avoid Products with Drying Ingredients

This one took me a while to learn about. When buying a product people usually look up reviews more than anything else. We don’t often look at ingredients in the things we use and this is so important! Another reason I broke out so much was that I was using products with sulfur in it which can dry the skin out so much that no natural oils were in my skin. As with the scalp, natural oils are used to help your skin, not hurt it.

• Take Care of Yourself, and Your Skin Will Thank You

By this, I don’t just mean drink water regularly. While this is important, how you take care of yourself can impact the way you look on the outside. You can exercise, do Yoga, find healthy recipes, cut down on junk food, etc. The better you take care of yourself, the more your skin will thank you for it.