The Dermatologist’s Guide to Skin Care
Girls, we get it. There’s a lot of skin care information on TV, youtube, and from girls at school. But what’s the truth about how to best care for your skin? Dermatologists are skin doctors and can help you establish and maintain great daily habits that will keep your skin looking great and feeling healthy. See below for the Dermatologist’s Guide to Skincare.
Changing Hormones Equals Changing Skin
If you haven’t noticed already, growing up can come with a lot of changes. And one of those changes is a sudden burst of hormones in your body as you move into adolescence. This sudden hormonal rush triggers your body to increase oil production, which is at the heart of teen acne. Acne appears when your skin is producing too much oil, which can cause your pores to become clogged with dead skin, dirt, oil, and makeup. When your pores become clogged, they can trap bacteria, causing the swelling and redness that are characteristic of acne. But there’s good news: teen acne is extremely common and there are many ways you can help to prevent, reduce, and treat it. (Kids’ Health) DOWNLOAD OUR ACNE GUIDE
Know Your Skin Type
Although there is a difference in the causes of the hormonal changes that cause teen acne versus adult acne, the key to controlling both is to actually focus on your particular skin type, not your age. Some common acne products geared specifically for girls contain harsh ingredients that can irritate the skin and actually make your breakouts worse. If you’re not sure what your skin type is, check out our skin type guide below. SKINCARE 101 GUIDE Once you know what type of skin you have, whether dry, oily, or a combination of both, you can choose acne treatment products designed specifically for that type of skin. PREP Everyday Clear Acne is a wonderful product loaded with essential oils making it tough on acne yet gentle on skin.
Say No to Harsh Chemicals
Speaking of gentle skin care products for girls, dermatologists recommend that everything you put on your skin is as gentle and as chemical-free as possible. As we mentioned a little earlier, products that contain harsh skin irritants can end up doing more damage than good. Stay away from harsh chemicals like alcohol, sodium lauryl sulfate, and oxybenzone. Our PREP SPF 30 Daily Moisturizer uses natural ingredients like zinc oxide, jojoba oil, and vitamin E so you can moisturize your skin without exposing it to irritants. Dermatologists also warn girls against scrubbing their skin too hard or washing their faces too often, because these bad skin care habits can also cause irritation. So remember, when it comes to the best skin care for girls, gentler is better. (The American Academy of Dermatology)
Start Your Skin Care Routine
Starting a skincare routine now can help you carry those habits into adulthood and give you a lifetime of beautiful skin. Great skin care for girls is as simple as choosing a few essential products to incorporate into an easy morning and nightly routine. (Women’s and Children’s Health Network of Australia) Once you start wearing makeup, you’ll want to have a set cleansing routine so you’re not going to bed with clogged pores. PREP Purifying Daily Cleanser is a great cleanser to try if you don’t already have a favorite gentle face wash. You can also check out our skincare 101 guide for some helpful tips on setting up a quick and easy skin care routine.
Sun Protection is Essential
Although plenty of outdoor activity can be great for your overall health, too much sun exposure can be very harmful for your skin. Everyone knows to use sunscreen at the beach, at soccer and when it’s hot outside; but most people don’t even think about using sunscreen in the pouring down rain. Well, as it turns out, UV rays can be harmful even on a cold, cloudy or rainy day, so it’s important to keep your skin protected every single day. (Kids’ Health) It’s easy to protect your skin every day from the sun with PREP SPF 30 Daily Moisturizer . Loaded with 22% zinc oxide, it’s a natural sunscreen that is far superior to the harsher ingredients commonly found in most name brand sunscreens. We love that it’s a moisturizer and sunscreen all in one step.