Back-to-School Beauty: It All Starts with Skincare
Start the school year off right with a simple and effective skin care routine. (Photo: Zoltan Tombor)
Summer weather can wreak havoc on your skin. Between the sun, the sweat, the layers of sunscreen, and the salt water, it’s a good idea to hit reset when it’s time to go back to school. In order to look your best before you hit the books, it’s all about having a good (and simple) skin care routine. In other words: If you want your makeup to look good, you need to take care of your skin first. “Younger women don’t pay that much attention to their skin when they are in high school and college,” says Dr. Sejal K. Shah of Smarter Skin Dermatology in Manhattan. “There are certain things that younger people should be doing.”
In addition to adopting a daily skincare routine, it’s also the time to get into the habit of seeing your dermatologist regularly. “You don’t have to have a concern, you don’t have to have acne or anything that bothers you, but starting as early as possible you should get in the habit of seeing your dermatologist once a year,” says Shah. “Regardless of skin type, gender, or family history, it’s really important to get those once-a-year skin exams.”
We asked Shah to outline a basic skin care routine for us, along with her tips for keeping it up during the school year. Follow these guidelines to getting great skin.
Cleanse twice a day
“I find that a lot of younger people are just washing their face with soap or just rinsing with water,” says Shah. “Those are issues because they aren’t cleansing appropriately.” If you are using the same soap on your face as you are on your body, it’s likely going to be too drying and too harsh. It’s important to cleanse properly to remove impurities and build up from the day that can clog pores leading to breakouts and skin irritation. She recommends cleansing your face twice a day using a cleanser that is right for your skin type — and that cleanser doesn’t have to break the bank. “CeraVe is a great drugstore line for basic skin care,” says Shah. “Any skin type can benefit from it.”
Find a moisturizer
“After you’ve got that cleansing routine down, the next thing is to find a moisturizer that works for you,” says Shah. “For the day, a moisturizer with a sunscreen is key.” With changes in the weather, going from summer to fall, you’ll want to start using a more hydrating, thicker moisturizer. Shah recommends adding a night cream to your routine if your skin is drier or if you are using acne medication at night.
Use an antioxidant serum
“Right out of college, in your early twenties, I tell women to start adding an antioxidant serum to their routine,” says Shah. Antioxidant serums with ingredients like vitamin C work to counteract sun damage, brighten skin, and boast anti-aging properties. Apply yours in the morning after cleansing and before your moisturizer.
It’s never too early for an eye cream
“Part of skin care is preventive, so there is no benefit to waiting till you are starting to see skin concerns,” says Shah. “You want to start using things before you start seeing the skin problems.” This is where eye cream comes into play. Even if you don’t have wrinkles or sagging skin under your eyes, regular use of an eye cream can help to prevent and delay the onset of wrinkles. Shah suggests adding it to your routine in your early 20s, even earlier if your skin is on the dry side.
Photo: Zoltan Tombor / Hair: Tamas Tuzes / Makeup: Deanna Melluso / Stylist: Janelle Olsen / Model: Kristina O’Connor
Related:
Back to School Beauty Inspiration from the Fall Ad Campaigns
