Sometimes being a high school student comes with bodily changes, one of the most conspicuous being a student’s skin. As a teenager, having clear skin can be difficult for some and easy for others due to the way the body acts to hormones and the type of skin the student has. Ultimately, having clear skin is arguably something that every student strives to have.

Everyone’s skin is different. Some students have dry skin, others have oily skin, and then there are the students with combination skin. Junior Erin Dickson describes her skin as freckly and, at times, oily.

“At times it can be really clean and smooth, but after soccer, it can be greasy and kind of covered in acne,” she said.

Despite the pain she says she experiences from using them, charcoal face masks still remain one of Dickson’s favorite skin products. The charcoal in the face mask detoxifies pores by attaching to the dirt and pulling it out of the pores.

“I use all charcoal-based products,” Dickson said. “In the morning, I just use this charcoal Bioré face wash, and at night, I use the charcoal mask.”

Dickson almost never wears makeup. However, when she does, she uses oil-free foundation. Anti-oil and oil-free products are usually better for oily skin or acne-prone skin, and they do not give off shine.

“I sometimes wear [makeup],” Dickson said. “Most of the time, I forget to put it on, like mascara or even foundation. I forget, so I usually never wear it.”

Dickson admits her bad habits related to skincare are due to late practices and occasional oversight.
“After soccer, I get home at around 10 o’clock at night, so sometimes I forget to wash my face or take a shower sometimes,” Dickson said with a laugh.

Dickson advises to stick to a routine with as little introductions as possible in order to not irritate the skin with new chemicals. She also recommends to intake sufficient amounts of water and wash the face on a regular basis.

“Drink a lot of water,” Dickson said, “and if you have time, wash your face at night and in the morning because it helps a lot and keeps the oils out.”

In regards to treatment from society, Dickson believes a clear face equals positive reactions from others.
“The face is what people first see,” Dickson said, “and I feel like if you put on a good face, people might have a more positive outlook on you.”

Unlike Dickson, sophomore Christina Downing identifies her skin as being on the drier side.

To wash her face, Downing uses Neutrogena Deep Clean, which has cooling effects and exfoliates the skin. As for makeup products, Downing prefers foundations by L’oréal and Colourpop highlighter.

“In the morning, I wash my face, and then I’ll put primer on,” Downing said. “I’ll let it sit for, like, five minutes, and then I’ll start my makeup.”

In Downing’s opinion, consistency and cleanliness are key to keeping a clear face. She also avoids touching her face so as not to transfer oils from her fingertips.

“[Your skin will] get better as long as you keep it consistent and just make sure you have a good routine down,” Downing said. “Take off your makeup in the night, and make sure to wash your face.”

Downing believes the value of good skincare lies in the personal emotional result.

“I just think [good skin] gives you a lot of confidence and gives you a glow that makes you really happy.”

When it comes to senior Samantha Tiefen’s skin, she believes her it is oily more often than not.

“I like Aveeno face wash and some Neutrogena stuff, like their face creams,” Tiefen said.

Although there are mornings in which she may choose not to wash her face, Tiefen likes to keep her skin regimen, well, a regimen.

“I take showers at night,” Tiefen said, “so my face is always clean at night, and when I wake up, I wash my face. I don’t wash my face every morning, but when I do, [my skin routine] is always the same.”

Going to sleep with makeup on is a habit Tiefen attempts to avoid. Her best advice to people with all types of skin struggling to maintain their faces healthy is to drink plenty amounts of water and wash their faces regularly.

Her school of thought when it comes to healthy skin is the following:
“If you have nice skin, you’re just a happier person.”