Dermatologist, students share techniques to maintain healthy skin, including cleansing washes, masks, creams

With the changing seasons and the abrupt transition into the school year, it is important that we do our best to keep ourselves happy, and staying healthy is a major part of that. As teenagers, our skin is more likely to suffer from acne due to stress and other factors in our life, so knowing the best products and having a regular skin care routine is a great way to stay clean and healthy.
As hard as school is, it is normal for the average person to get bumps on their face due to stress or anxiety. One of the most important ways to prevent these unwanted bumps is washing your face daily. Senior Shaomeng Hou sticks to her daily skin routine and has some favorite products of her own. “I like to use the Clean and Clear face wash every morning when I wake up and at night before I go to bed. It makes my skin feel extra clean and it is my favorite product I have used,” Hou said.
Acne is extremely common for teenagers, so getting help from a dermatologist can be beneficial because this kind of doctor can prescribe products specific for your skin type. “The best way to avoid acne is to wash your face twice a day with a gentile cleanser and use noncomedogenic moisturizers, sunscreens and makeup,” Dr. Anne Rothman said.
There are also other ways you can keep your face fresh. Treating yourself to a face mask is a great way to keep your skin glowing. Different kinds of face masks are suited for different skin types. Options include peel off, wash off, and sheets. Senior Chase Higgins enjoys the occasional face mask and recommends the sheet kind of mask. “I like using face masks so that my skin stays soft,” Higgins said
Some students have found other, unique skin care routines that have worked for them. Senior David Zelivinski has a few things he does and some products he uses to keep his skin clear. “I have found that putting Neosporin on my face before I go to sleep helps prevent big acne spots,” Zelivinski said. “I also use Alba face wash to keep my skin clean.”
Teenage years are when most girls start wearing makeup. While this is fine for your skin, it is important to remove the makeup before sleep. Face makeup can clog pores, and sleeping with this can cause oily skin, acne and blemishes. Also, sleeping in mascara is not healthy. This can cause the thinning of lashes as some may fall out.
Everyone has different skin types, so not all skin routines will work for all people. Making your own skin care routine will depend on your specific skin type. For those with normal skin, washing your face two to three times a day should do the trick. For those with dry skin, wash your face once daily with a mild cleaner instead of a harsh soap. Follow with a moisturizer of your choice to keep it from getting too dry. And for those with oily skin, wash your face at least three times a day to not let it get too oily.
Oily skin is extremely prone to pimples, so keeping it clean is the best preventative measure to take to stay healthy and look great.