Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Clarisonic and Her Campus Media. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting brands that make Macarons & Mascara possible!
I’m not going to lie, it’s really hard to take care of yourself when you’re on your own in college. It’s our own responsibility to make sure we get adequate sleep, feed ourselves properly, and still work hard in school, just to name a few (seriously, the list of responsibilities can go on and on). With all that to balance, I sometimes forget to take care of my skin regularly — despite wearing a full face makeup every single day!!!
Every skincare sin you can imagine, I’ve probably committed! Yep, I’m not proud of it but I’ve really up’d my skincare game in the last few weeks, and it has made the quality of my skin so much better. If you’ve put skincare on the backburner of college life, here are some tips for getting back on track to healthier skin.
1. Wash your makeup brushes regularly.
It takes me literally three months before the idea to finally wash my makeup brush even crosses my mind. I tell myself how unhealthy it is for me to use unclean brushes on my face, but alas my laziness always wins me over. I know some people wash their makeup brushes every single day, but cleaning your brushes once per week is fantastic progress from NEVER cleaning them!
2. Invest in makeup remover wipes.
Makeup remover wipes are Godsent. I use them to remove the day’s sweat, liquid foundation, and more sweat. I do this before I wash my face so that I can remove most of my makeup and make washing my face easier. Be sure to check out my post on college beauty essentials for other must-have beauty items!
3. Wash your face twice daily.
This is literally the easiest, and one of the best, things you can do to take care of your skin. Of course, sometimes just splashing water on your face won’t help remove the dirt and grime from the day. I used the Clarisonic Deep Pore Mia 2 device for two weeks and I’m in so much love! It really helps to remove every trace of makeup that my makeup remover wipes don’t get, and it feels so soft and gentle on my skin. This is especially important for me because my skin can be a little sensitive sometimes and harsh products can dry it out super quickly. But I’m extremely happy to say that I haven’t experienced any parched skin or anything negative after using the Clarisonic!
Before I tell you about my actual results, let me tell you about everything the Mia 2 device comes with as well as its features. The device itself comes in a really cute plastic case that makes it easy to store your device (mine was blue, which totally matches my aesthetic!!). I also received a charger for the device, the Deep Pore Daily Cleanser, and a Deep Pore Detoxifying Clay Mask. I used the deep cleaning facial wash and it was so great. A little goes a long way so I always place a dime-sized amount on the wet brush head. I also like to dampen my face first by splashing a little water on it.
The fab thing about this Clarisonic device that literally made my jaw drop is that when you press the ‘on’ button the brush starts cleansing your skin for exactly one minute and shuts off automatically. You should spend 10 seconds on each cheek, 20 seconds on your forehead area and 20 seconds around your chin area. But how might you keep track of exactly how long you’ve been cleaning those areas?????? Oh wait, the Mia 2 device tells you! It beeps softly after each time interval to let you know that it’s time to move on to the next area of your face so you don’t brush for too long. I’m in absolute love with this feature! Plus, using the Clarisonic is a way more fun way to clean your face daily.
So, here’s what happened to my skin after using this device…first off, my skin felt so much smoother and softer. Because of that, my makeup goes on smoother and looks better. I find it so hard to stop touching my face after I clean it with the Mia 2 device because it feels so supple and I don’t want to take my hand away! My skin also looks so much brighter because of all the deep cleaning the device does. I have also noticed that my skin looks and feels less oily than it usually is, which has been a definite plus while living in those super hot, stuffy college dorm rooms. If you want to invest in a Clarisonic Deep Pore Mia 2 set of your own or give one as a gift, use the code HERCAMPUS on their site for 15% off your order! I’m seriously super excited for you!!!
4. Get a facial cleanser that suits your skin type.
If your skin is oily, get a cleanser that reduces oil without drying out your skin too much. If your skin needs a little more moisture, be sure to do some digging to find a facial wash that will give you what you need rather than dry your skin out. I actually really love the Deep Pore Daily Cleanser from Clarisonic because it isn’t harsh and drying, it works great with the device to remove impurities, and I like the light, refreshing scent.
5. Wash your face an hour before your planned bedtime.
I have found in the past that when I wait until I’m super sleepy to wash my face, I don’t even have the energy to walk halfway to the bathroom! Wash your face ahead of time so if you end up crashing amidst your laptop, lecture notes, and several textbooks, at least you can do so knowing that your face is clean and free of makeup. *thumbs up emoji*
6. Clean your glasses regularly.
I actually recently got glasses (that’s what happens when your life is literally on a computer) and I have started noticing that my foundation gets on my frame when I take my glasses off. Bacteria can build off of that if you don’t run a cloth along it, and that bacteria will get on your face every time you put your glasses back on. This also goes for your phone!
7. Always have on hand: medicated acne cream
With all the stress, hormones, and forgetting to take care of our skin because we’re drowning in other obligations, breakouts can make their way into your life and annoy the hell out of you. Treat them fast, and if you think you might need to see a dermatologist, schedule a visit.
8. Always have on hand: facial moisturizer
You don’t need overly dry skin to keep moisturizer near you at all times. Any skin type can get dry — even super oily skin has its moments. To combat dry skin quickly, always have your favorite brand of moisturizer on hand so that you can apply it to the affected areas and get some relief. Bonus points if your moisturizer has sunscreen in it!
9. Always have on hand: Cocoa Butter
I grew up with an abundance of Cocoa Butter at home because it’s the perfect remedy for dry skin, cracked skin, dark spots, and just when you want smoother, softer skin. There are different formulas for your face but you can use Cocoa Butter everywhere and it works so well! I highly recommend it as a nighttime moisturizer for your skin, and a little does go a long way. Shea Butter is also a great alternative.
What’s your college skincare routine?
