When I moved from California to Missouri, the culture shock was surprisingly minimal, with the exception of one thing: the prevalence of fake tanning. To this day, I’m taken aback whenever I hear girls casually chatting about the money they dropped on a monthly tanning package or the sunburns they got in the beds. At home, lying in a tanning bed is viewed as the equivalent to smoking a pack a day. It’s bad for you, and no one does it. End of story.
It’s hard for me to hear about my friends knowingly sabotaging their skin, especially because maintaining healthy skin is so simple. Love your skin, ladies, and here are some easy ways how:
FIND YOUR MAKEUP MATCH
Makeup, although never great for your skin, is okay if you’re using the right kind. The answer is all in the label. Look for face makeup and other skin products with Vitamin C to protect against sun damage, kombucha to moisten and tighten the skin, and copper peptides to stimulate collagen formation. If you have generally dry skin, try cream-based makeup, and if you have generally oily skin, opt for the powder-based kind.
MAKE YOUR OWN MASKS
Turns out face masks are good for more than middle school slumber party fun. If you’re trying to combat oily skin or acne, try an oatmeal face mask because the oats work to effectively soak up excess oils. A yogurt mask should be your go-to if your skin is on the dry side. The yogurt has a moisturizing effect and even act as an exfoliator. If you’re not sure where you fall on the spectrum, stick with honey, which does wonders for all skin types.
LEARN TO LOVE LUKEWARM
As the last chilly days of winter linger into spring, jumping into a steamy shower sounds enticing. But, if you can- turn down the temp! The extra heat can strip your skin of beneficial natural oils, which can leave your skin feeling dry and patchy.
WATCH WHAT YOU EAT
There’s an old wives’ tale that eating greasy food gives you acne. While this may or may not be true, there are tons of other food that are either good or bad for your skin. Stick to: avocados, leafy greens, kiwi, blueberries, grass-fed beef, salmon, and dark chocolate. Steer clear of: chips, soda, margarine, rice cakes, candy, dairy, and fried food.
DRINK UP
Every time you read a self-care article, there’s usually a segment about drinking water, and this one’s no different. Water can remedy pretty much anything, including dry skin. For the best results, drink 6 to 8 cups of water per day. This may seem like a lot, but put it in a trendy bottle, and you’ll meet that goal in no time.
How do you love the skin you’re in? Let us know in the comments!
(Featured image via vogue.com)
VINAZINE 