Jade Hewitt
Staff Writer
It’s the morning of your yearbook photo shoot and you wake up to find not one, but TWO pimples on your face! Of course the first thing you think is, “How do I get rid of these creatures?”
Let’s face it, it’s no secret that with the stress of deadlines, exams, and late night partying…or studying…that your skin can bear the damaging effects of your daily routine. The years you spend at Jackson State are supposed to be the best and most memorable years of your career. Don’t let your skin stop you from taking fabulous photos that you will have as a keepsake for life.
There are a variety of routines and treatments for those suffering from skin care issues. No matter how small or big the problem is, the solution is to find what product and regimen works best for your skin type.
Knowing what skin type you have is the first step to identifying a good skin care regimen. The four main categories of skin are: normal, dry, oily, and combination. Knowing your category is the easiest way to weed out the products that don’t apply to you, because most manufacturers label this on the front on the product.
From there you should consider what issues you have with your skin the most. Are you suffering from dark spots and post-acne marks? Do you get random breakouts of acne? All of these factors play a role in choosing a routine that is best for you.
Brianna Davis, a junior and speech communications major said post-acne spots used to be a nightmare for her. After moving from Chicago a few years ago, she started developing acne as her skin adjusted to the climate change in Mississippi.
“My acne went away fast. The more I adjusted to the climate, the better it got, but I wondered if the spots my acne left behind would ever go away,” said Davis.
Davis said her trick to a clearer complexion was the Murad Acne Complex kit. She followed the regimen of using a cleanser, exfoliating acne treatment gel and moisturizer, and finished with the acne spot treatment. Using the 30-day trial kit valued at $29.50 on the brand’s website, Davis said it was well worth her money.
For the average student, $30 could be quite expensive when you are in need of books and other essentials. Fardarika Russell, a social work major from Jackson, Miss. said her go-to beauty product is Cetaphil cleanser and moisturizer.
“Cetaphil isn’t overpowering with fragrances. It works wonders on my oily skin,” said Russell.
For less than $20, Russell gets an ample amount of both the non-comedogenic cleanser and moisturizer. Non-comedogenic means the product is specially made to not clog pores and cause even more oil build-up. Russell said she always eats plenty of fruits and vegetables and stays away from acidic sodas that can aide in acne breakouts.
If your skin is in the oily category like Russell’s, then the obvious route to go is far away from oily products! Even when products state that they are oil-free it does not mean that they won’t cause breakouts, according to Marie Claire magazine. So, look for both oil-free and non-comedogenic for optimal results.
If you have combination skin, then Brianna Brooks, a junior mass communications major from Macon, Miss. has a tip for you. “Exfoliate! Exfoliate! Exfoliate!”
For combination types, Dermadoctor.com recommends exfoliating once or twice a week helps control those sebaceous glands in your T-Zone and maintains a balance that keeps those oil glands from going into overdrive. For about $8, you can grab Brook’s favorite Neutrogena deep-clean invigorating scrub from your local drugstore.
It’s not just important to have a good skin care routine for healthy, beautiful skin. What you put inside of your body affects it just as much as what you rub on the outside. Beauty experts at Murad.com agree that you should “eat your water.” Yes, you read correctly. A water rich diet helps retain water in your cells, which in turn keeps your skin looking young. What’s the saying? “Eight glasses a day keeps the [skin] doctor away?”
Did you know that simply walking from class to class across campus is helping not only your body to stay physically fit, but your skin? Yes, exercise is not only the key to a longer and healthier life, but a major role in good skin care. WebMD reports that regular exercise can help increase the blood flow in the body, which in turn nourishes the skin cells and gives you more radiant-looking skin.
Keep in mind that not all products work the same for everyone, and results may vary for different reasons. Always remember that you are be-YOU-tiful the way you are, and that your appearance alone does not define you as a woman…as a fellow Tigress.
