Skin care is an enormous part of every teen’s life. That’s why the battle to have beautiful, blushing, blemish-free skin is one fought all over. I haven’t got the very best skin in the entire world, but I’ve got pretty good skin, and it’s a major improvement from 2011, that’s for sure. It isn’t just about how good your skin is, but also about how much better your skin has gotten. That’s why I’m here to give you a few hints to help out on this struggle for smooth skin. But first, keep in mind that some of the worst breakouts happen before clear skin. It isn’t always because what you’re doing is bad for your skin. It just means that your skin is detoxing itself by getting everything out, or that it’s just getting used to what you’re doing. Wait a month before you decide if whatever it is works for you! And have fun taking care of your skin, too!

HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE!: I know that so many people say this, but it’s because it’s true! Water is like a miracle cure for your skin. Drink a lot of it and your skin will thank you.

Detox (the yummy way!): Detoxing is really important because so many toxins get built up in our systems and it can really affect our skin negatively! Drinking tea, water, lemon juice, and water with apple cider vinegar really help out with detox. Some of the best teas for the skin are green tea, lemon tea, white tea, burdock root tea, dandelion tea, and ginger tea. Using dandelion extract increases the skin-care-potency of these drinks, so keep that in mind. Honey is also great for detox because it can help to flush out the toxins that get trapped in our bodies, and it’s an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, too!

Cleanse it!: Keeping your skin clear requires your skin to be really clean. There are a lot of products that could help with this. Cetaphil and Neutrogena work like charms.

Mint Chapstick?: This is a weird tip…but, Classic ChapStick in Spearmint always helps my skin out. Here’s how it works: The lipblam is meant for the fragile skin of your lips, so it isn’t harmful to your skin, plus it’s a skin protectant that contains menthol. Menthol is the chemical in mint that makes it minty, and it works wonders when applied to the skin. Menthol can keep skin clear and can even get rid of acne scars! Also, it’s a lot easier than growing mint and crushing it up. However, you could also buy menthol cream, but it’s hard to find one for the face. Besides, ChapStick is cheap and reliable.

Moisturize!: Moisturizing is necessary even for people with oily skin. It keeps your skin supple, smooth, and soft, which equals healthy! It’s vital, but easy, and you only have to do it once a day (twice is suggested for those with dry skin). You can use honey to moisturize your face, although it’s sticky, but it works if you’re planning on having a spa day because you can leave it on for fifteen minutes and witness the softness. Buttermilk, milk, olive oil (but not too much olive oil because it can cause breakouts), aloe vera, shea butter, and coconut oil all work, too. Otherwise, try using products containing these, maybe even with Vitamin E for uber healthy skin. I prefer Jergens, Philosophy, and Cetaphil moisturizers, myself, but Aveeno and other products work fabulously  as well.

Sunscreen, baby!: Jennifer Garner says that it’s one of her best skincare secrets. So try it out and keep your skin safe from harmful UV rays!

Note: There’s a difference between sunscreen and sunblock. Sunscreen filters harmful ultraviolet rays, but does not inhibit tanning or Vitamin D absorption (Vita. D is also a friend of the skin, while U.V. rays are absolutely not). Sunblock, on the other hand, completely blocks any rays from the sun, preventing tanning.  

Saltwater: Keeping this beach theme alive for awhile, saltwater is a big help to the skin. The salt cleanses the skin and reduces oil, and the water flushes out what villains have already permeated your soft barrier. Seawater works amazingly. However, I usually just wash my face with some warm water to open the pores and create a little solution of salt and good old dihydrogen monoxide (water) in a little plastic cup, which I either wash my face with, or apply like a strange (and itchy, but useful) cream. It helps out, trust me!

Healthy Eating : When your system is happy and healthy, so is your skin! Eating healthy is great because it provides you with a lot of vitamins, antioxidants, and detoxing. Apples, kale, lemons, oranges, and strawberries are good starters. They’re yummy, and there’s so much you could do with them! I bet you’ll be happy to hear that chocolate (dark chocolate) is also great for your skin. I sure know that strawberries, dark chocolate, and I are the best of friends.

Vitamins: Try taking ’em. Vitamin supplements are major proponents for your body’s health. Plus, they come in fruity, chewy, gummies which is always fun, right?

I could go on and on forever detailing every little thing I learned about how to improve and maintain your skin, like how omega-3 is really awesome for it (and your brain, too), and how in other countries they have different techniques that work fabulously, but for now I won’t. I’m going to send you off with just one more tip, and it’s one that you don’t have to spend any money on.

Positivity: Positive thoughts and positive energy are scientifically proven to keep you looking young, beautiful, and healthy. Certain hormones (like serotonin and dopamine) are released when you’re in a feel-good-vibe and mindset. These hormones are very beneficial to your health and homeostasis: Your overall well-being. So keep a smile on your face and love in your heart and you’ll do just fine, my love.

* photo via Google Images under the Creative Commons license