Packing up and leaving for college? Whether you’re an incoming freshman or a returning student, college can be a stressful time and it can show in your skin. No need to worry, Beauty Mark is here to help you pack your bags and leave for school with helpful tips to keep your skin healthy and looking it’s very best.

First, and the most important words of skincare wisdom we can give: wash your skin twice a day AND always immediately after physical activity.

A proper cleanse (especially at night) really matters! During the resting hours of night, our skin—the body’s largest organ—works to heal and repair itself. Cleansing your face in the morning awakens skin and preps it for nourishing products that will be applied. At night, a proper cleanse removes dirt, pollution, make-up, spf, and impurities from the day. Of course, it’s important to cleanse your skin thoroughly without over-drying or stripping…we mustn't treat our skin like the kitchen floor!

PRO TIP: Working out or playing a college sport? We recommend soaking cotton rounds in your favorite toner and storing in your backpack or gym bag (in a ziplock bag) so you can cleanse immediately post-workout. When sweat dries on the skin, it leads to inflammation, redness, irritation, and congestion. Don’t sit in sweat and bacteria...hit the shower immediately!

Sebu-Wash Gel Botanical Infused Sebu-Wash Gel Cleanser is a mattifying foaming face wash formulated with a combination of ingredients that assist in washing away dirt and excess surface oil that may aggravate the appearance of blemishes, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and clean. Shop Now

Remove your makeup no matter what!

Did you know makeup left on the skin overnight can lead to blemishes that take up to two weeks to heal? Night is when your skin rests and the proper regimen (cleansing and applying product) helps to repair. Use a high quality micellaire water or pre-cleansing oil to prep skin, as these products are designed to soften the epidermis (which aids in the removal of make-up, spf and debris). This pre-cleanse helps your cleanser do its job properly and FULLY cleanse the skin.

Pre-Cleansing Oil This pre-cleansing oil helps to lift and remove excess surface oil, sunscreen, make-up, and environmental pollutants from the skin's surface. Pre-Cleansing Oil was formulated to emulsify once water is added to it. It rinses off effortlessly without leaving an oily residue, leaving the skin feeling clean and moisturized. Shop Now

Take your vitamins both internally and externally.

We are not registered dietitians, however, after 20+ years of experience in the treatment room we know diet matters when it comes to skin health. Internally: Whether you are battling late nights or hormonal breakouts, Zinc and Omega supplements support the skin's immune system (please consult your doctor before starting supplements). Zinc boosts the immune system, which can be negatively affected by lack of sleep, stress and alcohol. Omegas help reduce inflammation, improve skin dryness, and accelerate skin’s healing time. Externally: Applying vitamins topically in the form of a high-quality serum or moisturizer helps normalize skin cells and minimize signs of aging and sun damage. AVST is a vitamin A moisturizer from Environ that also contains vitamin C, antioxidants, and peptides.

Vita Antioxidant AVST Moisturizer 5 This cream is the fifth vitamin A moisturizer in the Skin EssentiA Vitamin STEP-UP SYSTEM. Vita-Antioxidant AVST Moisturizer 5 contains the highest concentration of vitamin A and vitamin C as well as antioxidants, botanicals and a peptide. Shop Now

Limit dairy, sugar and alcohol consumption.

If you have cystic acne around the jawline, dairy might be the culprit. One theory states that hormones from dairy interfere with our own. Breakouts along the jaw are typically hormone-related. Try omitting dairy for a couple weeks and keep a food diary to look for patterns between certain foods and skin irritations. Sugar damages your skin through a natural process called glycation, where collagen and elastin fibers (skin's building blocks) are compromised. Alcohol is not only high in sugar, but it greatly dehydrates our bodies because of the way it is metabolized. Alcohol's effects on the skin are noticeable: wrinkles and pores become more visible and skin looses its plumpness and glow. When we limit inflammatory food and drink, we see the skin heal much faster.

Unwind, relax, and de-stress.

Spend your free time doing things you love to do and resting if need be. Stress elevates cortisol and hormones which can worsen acne!

Avoid picking your skin.

School is probably busy, packed with activities, and stressful. Picking at your skin adds stress to the situation by irritating existing blemishes and causing new ones. Fingers add new bacteria to an already compromised skin barrier and can lead to redness, inflammation, and infection. As a result, you might have additional scabbing, scarring, and hyperpigmentation that lasts even longer than the initial breakout. When you pick, you cause micro tears in the skin. Not only can this lead to scarring but where micro tears form is where bacteria like to camp out!

Use the RIGHT PRODUCTS for YOUR SKIN TYPE and adjust seasonally if needed.

There are many different cleansers to choose from, as well as moisturizers, masks, and SPF’s. A Beauty Mark esthetician can help you select products to help your skin heal and thrive. Book a thirty-minute consult and receive a hand-selected skincare routine. Too busy to stop by for an in-person consult or live out of town? Book a Facetime consult!

Last but not least: book a treatment when you are back home!

Save time, frustration, and money by contacting one of our experienced estheticians and learn how to properly care for your skin and receive correct product recommendations for your unique skin.