Going back to school looks a little different this year. Teachers and students are learning the new normal of social distancing and wearing masks every day. With all the added stress for students, as they have quite a lot on their plate in terms of finding someone to help write a paper, finding a balance between their young lives and side hustles, and so on. But the last thing you want to worry about is your skin! To lighten the load, the dermatologists at Complete Family Dermatology have compiled a list of the best skin care and acne tips to help you as you head back to school.
Use a gentle cleanser
- Wash your face every morning and night with a gentle cleanser. Many acne-fighting face washes have sulfates, which can be rough and drying to your skin. That tingle, itch, and burn that you get from your acne-fighting face wash may make it seem like it’s actively working, but it is actually stripping your skin of moisture. Stick with a gentle cleanser that is hydrating and has no active ingredients. Once you find a cleanser that works for you, gently lather it on your face, use lukewarm water to rinse off, and pat your face dry with a clean towel.
Avoid touching your face
- Researchers have found that on average, people touch their face 16 times per hour. That makes it a hard habit to break, but avoiding touching your face will help reduce the spread of germs and help ease your acne. Typically, we do not notice when we are touching our faces, but it is a common cause of breakouts especially around the chin and cheeks. To go along with this, do not pop your pimples or pick at your scabs as that will make your breakouts and scarring worse.
Eat healthy
- What you put in your body matters! Keep this immunity-boosting and skin-friendly food list in mind while packing your school lunch…
- Whole wheat bread
- Brown rice
- Spinach and other leafy greens
- Blueberries
- Avocados
- Beans
- Sweet potatoes
- Tomatoes
- Broccoli
- Nuts and seeds
- Dark chocolate (who could resist?)
Stay hydrated
- Just like every other organ in the body, your skin is made up of cells that need water. If you’re not getting enough water, an early sign would be dry skin. Even though oily skin is commonly associated with acne, it’s not the only factor. Dry skin can be the cause, too. To lessen the risk of acne, drink plenty of water to help rid yourself of toxins and apply a daily moisturizer to give your skin a healthy glow.
Wash your mask
- As kids head to school, masks will be a new part of their everyday wardrobe. Wearing masks all day and everyday can irritate the skin. So, to protect yourself from the virus and acne, we recommend washing your mask after every day. Germs, makeup, and oils can build up a residue, which can worsen your acne and skin irritation. Use a gentle detergent with the hottest water when washing, and use the highest heat setting when drying. We get that washing a load every night is not probable for most families, so we think it is a good idea to have a designated mask for each day of the week. This way you will not have to worry about washing in between school days. For more information on how to wash masks, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
- Also, it is important to note the type of material and the fit of your mask. These two reasons could be the cause of irritation as well. While it is important to have filtration, it’s just as important to have breathability. Masks made from silk or cotton that are breathable and have a looser fit will be less irritating to your face.
Closing thoughts on Back to School Acne
Acne should be the last thing that you are stressing about in 2020. If you have tried these acne tips, but still are not happy with your skin, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 402-423-1111. The team of dermatologists here at Complete Family Dermatology will provide you with the right skin care tips and treatments, so you are ready to face the school year ahead!
