Maintaining a regular skin care regimen is essential for a college student, if you want to keep your skin soft and youthful-looking. But sometimes, a lot of skincare products carry a mixture of ingredients that tend to do your skin more harm than good. Many beauty products in the market contain alcohol, which can be very harsh to your skin.
Excess exposure to alcohol can alter the blood flow to the skin and tend to make your skin look unhealthy for days. This is because alcohol dilates the small blood vessels at the skin’s surface which allows more blood to flow close to the surface. This is what usually gives you a flushed color. But constant use of products with alcohol can lead to broken capillaries on the face. So how can you choose which products to apply on your skin? When in doubt, it’s always best to go for what is natural.
The beauty market is currently filled with a wide selection of beauty products which are made using only natural ingredients. In fact, some brands offer only natural, alcohol-free skincare products to its clientele, and the trend is catching on quick, considering that these products are working wonders. If you are thinking about switching to natural and alcohol-free products for your skincare treatments, here are some of the best choices for skin products that are natural.
Aloe Vera
Products that have aloe vera as the main ingredient offers a variety of skincare solutions. It contains antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins A and C, as well as anti-ingredients which offers a lot of benefits. It’s ideal for skin whitening, degreasing oily skin, curing pimples, moisturising the dry skin, reducing wrinkles, soothing the irritated skin, and calming sunburn. Aloe vera has also shown dramatic results in helping improve pigmentation and dark spots.
Coconut
Coconut oil has antioxidants, such as vitamins E and A, which help slow down the skin’s aging process. It may also help reduce the damage brought about by free radicals and the sun. It is a natural moisturizer, and contains antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it an ideal main ingredient for various natural face products. Coconut oil is mainly composed of nourishing fatty acids, which help make skin smooth.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil, when cold pressed, is one of the best sources of monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid, which provides an immediate effect on the appearance and texture of your skin. Apart from being extremely good at hydrating and softening your skin, avocado oil is also effective in treating acne, blackheads, eczema and other forms of skin inflammation.
Read More: 7 Tips From a Skincare Pro
Honey
Honey provides a wide variety of skin saving benefits. Being a natural antibacterial, this sweet pot of goodness is great for treating and preventing acne. And because it is full of antioxidants, it is great for slowing down skin aging. It is also a great product for boosting your complexion, since it’s extremely soothing and moisturizing, helping you achieve that natural glow. Its clarifying properties is also ideal for opening pores, making them easy to unclog.
Green Tea
Green tea is another natural product that provides an array of benefits. As a powerful antibacterial agent, green tea is ideal for treating acne and unclogging pores. It is also rich in vitamins B2 and E, which are both essential for maintaining a healthy skin. And because green tea is rich in catechins, it also has anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce swelling, redness and irritation on skin. Moreover, green tea also has a powerful antioxidant called EGCG which helps fight DNA damage from UV rays to prevent skin cancer. It is also a great anti-aging ingredient.
Cocoa
Apart from being the main ingredient for our beloved chocolate, cocoa can also help improve your skin’s hydration when you apply the powder on your skin. Cocoa contains antioxidants that can help boost the elasticity of your skin, making it feel supple and youthful. The high levels of antioxidants in cocoa can protect and repair the skin from damage and premature aging.
Shea Butter
With its high concentration of fatty acids and vitamins, shea butter is considered to be an ideal cosmetic ingredient for softening skin. It also has anti-inflammatory and healing properties which can help reduce skin irritations and swelling. Using shea butter on your body, especially your face, can condition, tone, and soothe your skin. Shea butter has emollient properties that soaks into your skin, creating a smooth and soft barrier that seals in moisture for several hours.
Turmeric
Because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric can work wonders on a problematic skin. It can help calm skin conditions like eczema and rosacea, as well as reduce redness from blemishes. And since it is a natural antiseptic, turmeric is great for acne. It can also help keep bacteria from spreading all over your skin, avoiding further irritation and swelling.
More than just switching to natural and alcohol-free products, it’s also important to maintain a good hygiene, a healthy diet and a regular skincare routine. You should also avoid drinking alcoholic beverages which also has its effects on your skin.
More than just studying and joining different school activities, it’s still important that you take care of your health while you are in college. The beauty of maintaining natural skincare is that you get to avoid using harsh chemicals on your skin. In the end, it’s still a good idea to consult a dermatologist to find out what skincare products will best suit your skin and lifestyle.
