1. Drink loads of water. We're talking two litres a day, which is equivalent to eight glasses. So ditch sugar-laden fizzy drinks and load up on H2O. Fill up your water bottle when you arrive at school, then carry it around to sip between classes.
2. Remove your make-up before bed. Don’t be tempted to hit the pillow without taking off your make-up. Always cleanse your skin of the day’s dirt (then moisturise) before you jump into bed. That way your pores don’t get clogged, leading to break-outs.
3. Never, ever, squeeze a pimple. Even if you’re tempted, don’t! Not only does it cause the bacteria to spread, but it can also lead to nasty scarring. If you want to cover up a zit, gently dab some concealer on the blemish using your fingertip.
4. Use the right skincare for your needs. Take our skin quiz to find out the type of skin you have, and then look for ranges that contain the key ingredients that suit your complexion.
5. Eat right. While chocolate isn’t proven to cause zits, your skin will be far better off if you pack plenty of healthy stuff in your lunchbox, like fresh fruit and vegies, and keep junk foods (think highly processed, sugar-laden snacks) for special occasions like parties.
6. Don’t use your mum’s moisturiser. Older skin has different needs to teen skin – Mum’s moisturiser might contain ingredients that are too rich for your skin, leaving it greasy (which can lead to break-outs). Instead, choose a moisturiser that’s specially formulated for young skin.
7. Keep your make-up brushes clean. They can harbour dirt and bacteria, which can then be transferred to your skin. So wash your make-up brushes regularly using warm, mild soapy water. Then leave them to dry before putting them back in your bathroom cabinet.
8. Stay out of the sun. Yep, not only does sunbaking put you at risk of skin cancer, it also causes premature ageing, so in later years you could develop wrinkles. Don’t go in the sun between 11am and 3pm (daylight saving time), and always cover up with a hat, sunnies and SPF 30+ sunscreen.
9. Change your pillowcase regularly. Pop on a fresh pillowcase every couple of nights, especially in warm summer weather. We sweat while we sleep, and you don’t want last night’s bacteria to be transferred on to your freshly cleansed bedtime face.
10. Wipe over your mobile. Once a week, use a make-up wipe to clean your mobile phone thoroughly – you’ll be surprised at all the gunk and dirt on there. Eewww!
