In a market that reaches almost $170 billion dollars net worth in sales each year, it’s obvious that the makeup and skin care industry is ever growing in choices and brand diversity. No college student is about to go drop a ton of money on a makeup product, especially when there are so many other expenses that come before beauty. In fact, many college students opt to keep their skin healthy in a more cost-effective way by using home remedies to clear up blemishes.
Macy Sherwin, sophomore in food science and industry, said students must first figure out their personal skin type before making any decisions about skin care products. Sherwin said she has a more neutral skin type, meaning it isn’t too oily or too dry. However, her skin is sensitive to bacterial infections. To avoid getting infections, Sherwin said she cleanses her face every other day.
“I use face wash in the shower to avoid contaminating my face with the use of a washcloth,” Sherwin said. “Not using the washcloths helps me contain the natural bacteria on my face from spreading.”
Sherwin said not reusing face cleansing products will help restrain the spread of any type of breakout. A useful tip to avoid the spreading of infections is to be cautious about not reusing Q-tips or cotton balls.
Lauren McDonald, sophomore in chemical engineering, has a more oil-based skin type with the occasional dry spell.
“When I have dry spells I usually get a hot wash cloth and leave it on my face for a few minutes to refresh my pores,” McDonald said. “After I’m done with that, I normally apply moisturizer to my face.”
Moisturizer is another important factor to keeping skin in a healthy condition. McDonald said she sometimes likes to apply moisturizer to her face with the same hot washcloth.
“The heat, along with the moisturizer, really makes my face feel soft,” McDonald said.
Lindsay Lowe and April Jacobs, co-owners and stylists at Platinum and Company, an Aggieville-based hair salon at 1107 Moro St., said using sunscreen along with moisturizer can help protect against sun damage while keeping facial skin hydrated. Lowe and Jacobs also recommended keeping the body hydrated in general. They said drinking water and even using a refreshing spray can improve the overall wellness of skin.
“As long as your skin is hydrated, it really makes a huge difference,” Lowe said.
The options for lotions and creams are seemingly endless, allowing people to find the right type for their skin. Lowe and Jacobs said people who are looking to improve the quality of their skin should always remove their daily makeup before going to bed.
“If you’re not washing and moisturizing, your foundation can clog your pores,” Lowe said. “Leaving makeup on before going to bed can cause breakouts, pore damage and increase the oil on the skin.”
Despite what many may think, Lowe and Jacobs said foundation can be beneficial to the facial skin as it blocks dirt and grime from seeping into the pores. However, not washing the foundation off at the end of the day will cause it to begin to settle into the pores, clogging them with the dirt and grime. They said it is important to remove these toxins from the skin and exfoliate to keep skin looking fresh.
“You want to exfoliate your skin at least once a week so you can get rid of any dead skin cells sitting on the surface,” Lowe said. “That just helps regenerate your skin. Doing a mask at home is great for you, as well, because it helps shrink down your pores and resurface your skin too.”
Jacobs and Lowe said makeup users who are looking to save money on beauty products should decide the three makeup items that are the most important to them. They said for people with highly problematic skin types, a regular facial treatment or base makeup might be things they splurge on.
“Foundation would be something you would want to spend more money one because it is broader and applies to all of your face,” Lowe said.
McDonald splurges more on mascara because she has shown a sensitivity to cheaper brands in the past, which is something Lowe recommends as well.
“Cheap mascara irritates my eyes and leaves them feeling crusty,” McDonald said.
McDonald recognized that she was having a reaction to her mascara, which was of lesser price, after a month of use. They recommend being cautious about mascara choice as it is applied so closely to the eyeball.
“You should avoid using waterproof mascara,” Lowe said. “If you use waterproof mascara, it will dry out your eyelashes so much and cause them to break off. It’s okay to use it for special occasions, but other than that you shouldn’t.”
Sherwin said she prefers to buy all of her makeup from less expensive brands, because she doesn’t tend to wear makeup that often and is constantly replacing her products.
“I buy cheaper makeup and I replace my makeup regularly to avoid bacteria buildup,” Sherwin said.
Cosmetics in every store vary in price and quality, making the decision as to what to buy more difficult. College students often struggle with these decisions as they try to save money. However, investing in treating your skin correctly might just be worth the extra $5.
“My advice would be to read online blogs and research what types of products and brands are best suited for your own unique skin type,” McDonald said.
Makeup users, especially college students, should set their priorities and stick to them. Spending a bit more cash on an item that works, while budgeting items that are less important, will improve your skin and you save money.
