So, you’re excited about your date tomorrow night and you’re already planning your outfit and thinking about how to wear your hair. You’re dancing in the kitchen to Taylor Swift’s songs as if there’s no tomorrow.
Suddenly, you get a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and see the unprecedented curse…you’ve got a new pimple on your chin that’s the size of the Eiffel tower. You rush to the bathroom cabinet and vigorously look for Colgate to put on your face.
Putting toothpaste on your face is one of the biggest myths that ever existed in the history of skincare. People believe that the active ingredients in toothpaste will kill the bacteria in pimples, which will make it go away. Well, this is your reminder that the bacteria in your mouth is NOT the same bacteria you would find on your skin.
Truth is, putting Colgate on your skin might kill the “good” bacteria on your skin. Your skin needs this “good” bacteria to stay healthy and to protect the skin barrier.
Moreover, putting Colgate on your pimples might increase the chances of skin inflammation and may cause irritation. In addition, you will be increasing your chances of drying out your skin. Not fun, right?
Why would you want to put something on your pimples that could possibly irritate your skin? There are tons of skincare products that are specifically tailored for this very reason! So, instead of reaching out to Colgate, you might want to consider the following tips and hacks.
1- Consider The Reason Why You Get Pimples
In order to effectively treat pimples, you need to know how you got them in the first place; you need to know the underlying cause. You should also take into consideration if this is a frequent event or you just get a pimple once in a blue moon. Below are the most common reasons for getting pimples.
Hormonal Imbalance
Our hormones play a vital role in how our skin looks. The fluctuation of certain reproductive hormones can cause pimples to pop up.
The Food You’re Eating
There are certain foods that have been linked to causing acne, such as dairy products and foods that contain refined sugars and grains.
An Irritating Product
This is a story as old as time; who here bought a product that they’ve been dying to buy and it ended up causing breakouts? You could be sensitive to a certain ingredient and it irritated your skin.
Picking On Your Face
Sometimes, touching our faces can be a nervous habit that we do unconsciously. Guilty as charged, right? Our hands might not always be the cleanest when we touch our faces, which may cause bacteria to flourish and prosper.
Hygienic Practices
It’s always good to remember to change your pillowcase weekly because our skin sheds thousands of dead cells each night. Moreover, sleeping without removing your makeup is the deadliest sin.
2- Simplify Your Skincare Routine
A good rule of thumb is to remember that more is less with skincare. It’s not the brightest idea to saturate your skin with all these serums and oils when you’re dealing with pimples.
Simplify your skincare routine and go back to basics. The basics of skincare rituals include the following:
Washing Your Face
Washing your face is the most basic necessity to have clear skin. One of the biggest mistakes we make is that we wash our faces way too fast.
We might think that we’re removing the makeup and the built-up dirt, but we’re not. You need to rub the product in for 30 to 60 seconds and it should be done in a slow circular motion.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Never ever wash your face without immediately moisturizing your face. You will end up drying your face and causing irritation. A good moisturizer will keep your skin hydrated and flushed.
Acne Spot Treatment
Apply treatment to acne spots only. You may also use a serum to fade acne scars and dark spots resulting from pimples and blemishes.
Become Besties With Your Sunscreen
You could be doing all the things you need to do but if you don’t wear sunscreen, all your efforts are useless. Sunscreen should be worn in all types of weather and all kinds of places- indoors or outdoors. Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours.
3- Buy Products For Your Skin Type
Don’t waste your money on products that are not a good fit for your skin type; it will all go in vain. You could be buying the most expensive product but it won’t work if it’s not compatible with your skin type.
There are all kinds of treatments out there specifically designed for each skin type according to its needs.
So, what’s your skin type?
4- Be Mindful Of Your Lifestyle
Your lifestyle has the biggest impact on the health of your skin.
How many hours do you sleep each night? Sleep is important in rejuvenating the skin and getting rid of dead cells.
Do you drink enough water or is your skin thirsty for a cup of water? Dehydrated skin looks old and saggy.
What type of food do you eat? Do you take your multivitamins? Do you consume a lot of sweets and never seem to care about your fruits and veggies? Do workers in McDonald’s call you on a first-name basis?
Do you drink alcohol? Do you smoke cigarettes? Alcohol and nicotine kill the collagen in your skin.
Are you moderately active or are you a couch potato?
All of these things should be taken into consideration if you want your skin to look healthy. Don’t expect to have great-looking skin if you neglect your overall physical health. Your skin will tell it all!