Prevention is better than cure. Which one is preferable: being sick and seeking medical attention, or being proactive enough not to become sick at all? Obviously, it is preferable not to become sick at all. 

Good skin care should begin in your teens when your body is changing drastically. It will help keep your skin in pleasant condition and prevent premature aging. You might be the lucky one if you’re not going through a skin problem in your teenage years. Our skin, especially the face, needs to tackle many things throughout the day. Since it’s exposed to the outer environment, it had to deal with harmful rays from the sun, smoke, dirt, germs, sweat, and many more. These things will create problems on our skin.  

We all are different; even though we might have an identical skin issue, the same skincare secrets that work for one might not work for the other. But, don’t worry, we’ve enlisted some of the proven advice that will help you to have healthy and glowing skin. To get rid of all the skin-related problems, and then to have healthy and glowing skin; you need to follow the following skin care tips: 

Use a mild cleanser

Whatever your age, cleansing is an essential thing for your skin. Because of hormonal changes in teens, the increase of oil or sebum is excessive. This excessive accumulated oil, dirt, sweat, and remnants of makeup on the skin are the reason behind clogged pores and breakouts. Not only that, it can lead to blackheads and whiteheads too. To avoid it, wash your face once or twice a day with a cleanser appropriate for your skin type and then gently apply it in circular movements to every inch of your face. Using soap might irritate your pores and cause acne and pimples, so better avoid it unless it is for facial purposes.

Teens who have oily or normal/combination skin can use a salicylic acid-containing cleanser regularly to decrease excess oil production and boost moisture. Cleansers accommodating salicylic or lactic acid aid in the removal of dirt and oil from the pores. To limit sebum production and thus reduce the formation of blackheads, you can also take Vitamin A or Zinc supplements after consulting with doctors. Teens who have dry skin can try a milky cleanser and moisturizer for better results.

Before going to bed, remove your makeup 

Even if the makeup looks great on you, it’s not a good idea to wear it while in bed. To avoid acne breakout or a bumpy rash on the skin, you must remove makeup. Wipe away the remnants of your makeup, dirt, or oil from the surface of your skin using micellar water. Never think of wearing makeup overnight since it can obstruct your pores and cause pimples.

Use lukewarm water

If you truly want to get rid of skin issues, you must develop the practice of washing your face twice a day with lukewarm water. Washing your face daily with lukewarm water not only removes dirt but also retains your skin’s natural moisturizing oils.

Exfoliate

Teen hormones can reduce cell turnover, which causes an accumulation of dead skin cells. The collection of dead skin cells is the reason behind blackheads and whiteheads. And the solution for this issue is exfoliation. Use a mild product appropriate for your skin to exfoliate once or twice a week. It helps in making your skin soft and clean by removing the dead skin cells. Do not scrub and over-exfoliate. Instead of benefiting, scrubbing and over-exfoliating will harm your skin. Clay has natural antibacterial and astringent effects, so look for products that include it. Chemical exfoliators with AHAs (Alpha-hydroxy acids) and salicylic acid are also excellent for cleaning deep into your pores. 

Use moisturizer and face masks  

As a teen, you probably will have greasy skin; and that is the reason behind clogging your skin pores. When skin pores are blocked, you have to go through various skin problems; especially acne, pimples, and blackheads. If your skin is oily, moisturizing is essential to deal with clogged pores. We recommend applying moisturizer containing a lightweight, non-greasy formula twice daily to keep your skin soft, radiant, and hydrated. Following this skincare secret will also prevent premature fine lines and wrinkles. You can use a moisturizer that contains a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Pick a product that is suitable for your skin and address your skin issues.

Using face masks will not only remove dirt, pollutants, and toxins from the surface of your skin, but they also keep it moisturized. Apply the mask to your face once a week, wait for it to dry, and then wipe it off. We recommend using products (that contain natural ingredients) suitable for your skin. 

Acne products 

Growing up as a teen is a hell of a roller coaster ride. You have to go through many problems, one of which is acne. Though acne can occur at any age, teenagers are more prone to it. Acne starts when skin pores are clogged by an oil called sebum, dead cells, and bacteria. It mainly occurs on the forehead, nose, and chin (T-zone). Not only on the face, but acne also appears on the chest, neck, back, and shoulders because these areas have a higher number of functional oil glands.  

Wash your face twice a day with warm water and a mild soap or face wash (made for acne) to get rid of acne. Excessive cleaning and scrubbing might irritate the skin. So, massage your face gently in circular strokes without scrubbing. After cleaning, use a lotion containing benzoyl peroxide. Face cleansers, creams, foams, and gels containing benzoyl peroxide are antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. They are quite beneficial in the treatment of acne. 

Never squeeze pimples. Popping pimples will not help you; instead, it will cause swelling, redness, and scarring on your skin. You can use salicylic acid-containing treatments to get rid of bacteria and dead skin cells. Salicylic acid is a well-known acne treatment. Sulfur cleansers are also preferable for masks to dry out your skin. They are kinder on the skin than salicylic acid. Regardless of your skin type, if you are unsure how to treat acne or other skin problems, talk to a dermatologist. 

Keep your hands clean 

Our hands are most likely the closest to every bacterium and dirt in the environment. We knowingly or unknowingly touch our faces without cleaning our hands. This habit will spread oil, dirt, and bacteria on the surface of our skin. And most of the time, it is the reason we are going through skin diseases. So, be aware before touching your face with your unclean hands. Make sure you’re wiping your face with clean, dry towels. Also, never forget to wash your hands before applying cosmetics and clean any objects that come into contact with your skin regularly, such as your phone, and caps.  

Apply sunscreen 

Though sunshine delivers vitamin D to our bodies, we must shield ourselves from the sun’s damaging rays. Since it is impossible to prevent, you must develop the habit of applying sunscreen to protect your skin from damaging UV radiation. If you want to have healthy and glowing skin now and for years to come, sunblock is a must. Sunscreen also prevents acne outbreaks from darkening. 

Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen containing zinc oxide (at least 7%) and a (Sun Protection Factor) SPF of 15 or higher to protect yourself from the sun’s damaging rays. Choose a product that complements your skin tone. When going outside, dress in long-sleeved clothing and a hat. Following these skin care secrets on a daily basis will help your skin become smoother and more even-toned in the future.  

Clean Makeup habits 

If you think your makeup practices are harming your skin, change those habits from today. Following clean makeup practices may have a significant influence on your healthy and glowing skin. Clean your makeup applier brushes regularly to avoid bacteria build-up. Also, avoid bestowing your cosmetics, particularly the eye and lip beautifiers, with others. Sharing your cosmetics is like sharing your friend’s germs. It’s better to avoid sharing than to suffer from skin diseases in the days to unwind.  

Good sleep and a well-balanced diet 

If you follow every other tip, excluding this one, you will never be able to cure your skin. Good sleep and a well-balanced diet are a must, not only for healthy skin but for a healthy body too. While we sleep, our skin rejuvenates itself. Avoiding greasy meals and sugar products, as well as following a well-balanced diet enriched with green vegetables and fruits can alleviate your skin ailments. So, never forget to include this secret of skincare from your list. 

Consult dermatologist 

It’s never late to consult a doctor about your problems. Seeing a dermatologist for acne or any other skin condition may make a tremendous impact on your health. Especially if you are going through a harsh situation, instead of surfing the internet for help, better get a doctor called. Prescriptions given by doctors will always help.

The health of your skin is intimately related to the health of your body as a whole. Exercising, meditating, eating healthily, and drinking enough water are all recommended. Stick to a single routine and allow it some time to bear fruit. Continue to use a product that is suitable for your skin type if you are already using it. Avoid making frequent changes to your routine. We often get anxious and search for instantaneous results. But remember, healing takes time. Include some of these tips mentioned above in your skincare routine to have healthy and glowing skin. A clean complexion will soon return a spark to your face and confidence in you. If your skin problem is not resolving, you can contact us at any time, 24 Seven Health and Beauty, the official pharmacy of Metro Kathmandu Hospital, is always there to cure you.