Makeup can highlight features, but it can also mask or mar natural beauty. Before applying makeup or any other beauty products, your face needs to be properly prepped so skin can be healthy and blemish free. Valley has the steps to maintain a natural glow.
Step 1: Wash your hands before ever touching your face. Think about everything you touch throughout the day, and we mean everything. Your face has hundreds of pores that can get clogged with bacteria from those germs you picked up on your hands. Wash hands in warm water, with soap, for about 20 seconds. After washing your hands, secure your hair away from your face to ensure you have an obstacle free canvas.
Step 2: Use a cleanser to wipe away excess oils and to clean out clogged pores (read: blackhead and acne prevention). Use a gentle, liquid cleanser because bars of soaps can dry out skin. The thinner the cleanser’s liquid, the quicker and deeper it will absorb.
Step 3: Exfoliate skin with a gentle scrub using circular motions. Harsh Happy Valley winter weather easily dries skin out. The skin on the face is most exposed, as well as sensitive, so exfoliating will keep your skin looking fresh and feeling smooth.
Step 4: Rinse your face with lukewarm water. Avoid extreme hot and cold temperatures, because it may cause broken capillaries.
Step 5: Find a soft towel and pat-dry your face. Never rub! Rubbing causes irritation and micro skin tears that let in bacteria, resulting in redness and acne. Ouch.
Step 6: Moisturizing hydrates and rejuvenates skin, preventing wrinkles and aging. With stress from Penn State’s finals, skin is the last thing students need to worry about. Find a moisturizer with sunscreen included; even if it’s not summer time, the sun’s rays in the winter and can still cause sun damage and burning. Also, consider moisturizers with benzoyl peroxide, which can prevent pimples from resurfacing.
Photo by Siru Wen
