Skin Survival

By: Dani Friedman, Staff Writer Edited by: Eleanor Unsworth

The switch from high school to college is a big adjustment for everyone. Through all the emotional and physical preparation, the change that catches many first-year students by surprise is the rough patch their skin undergoes. Their skin care products are often forgotten, and even when they are used, they aren’t doing the job as well as they did in the past. Even with an Amazon cart filled with recommendations from TikTok, friends, and opinionated mothers, their skin still looks and feels like a hot mess. When incoming freshmen were told that dorm living is about survival, few would assume that meant the survival of their faces.

For many incoming freshmen, this is their skin's (unfortunate) progression: After the first weekend, there's already makeup on their pillow and used makeup wipes on the desk. “It's normal,” everyone says. “Once you get into a routine, it goes away.” But by month two, although the day-to-day is simple, their skin tells another story. The freak out begins; they've already spent half their allowance on pimple patches. First-year students are trying to figure out how to be an 'adult,' and on top of that, now they have to figure out how to clear their skin. With a new skincare trend emerging every week, it feels impossible to figure out what actually works. 

What's causing this breakout everyone is having? Skin irritation can be categorized into three main areas: diet, bacteria, and stress. Let's be honest, the dining hall food doesn't even compare to a home-cooked meal, and a college student's diet isn't on any Michelin Star list. Late-night DoorDash and cups of caffeine for early mornings also aren't benefiting anyone's skin. The high-sugar party drinks cause degradation, which leads to dry, red irritated skin. Although it is hard to change since options are limited, trying to increase water intake and high fiber foods can help lower irritation. 

Going out with a full face of makeup and sweating for hours can cause high levels of bacteria, leading to skin issues. Even if you're washing your face, doing it in a public co-ed bathroom isn't very hygienic either. The moment your towel touches the counter, it's infested with germs. Using paper towels can also irritate your skin. Instead of using the same towel, use face towels that you only use once before putting them in the laundry. Or, use face-specific paper towels that can be thrown away. Also, constantly using a Hypochlorous spray will also help eliminate bacteria on the face and reduce inflammation.

High stress levels directly cause skin irritation. The anxieties caused by new academic and social pressures trigger internal stress pathways that disrupt the skin's protective barrier, which is important for maintaining hydration and defense against external irritants. This causes skin to weaken, which often leads to inflammation. When your skin barrier is compromised, regardless of the cause, the skin will react by creating acne. The first step in treating skin is rebuilding the skin barrier, rather than damaging it further.

When people have acne breakouts, they often gravitate toward exfoliation and aggressive chemicals like AHA and BHA, which can help with oil control, sebum production, and enlarged pores. However, when misused, these chemicals can do more harm than good. One of the leading causes of skin irritation isn't the lack of products or the amount of oil and sebum, rather the barrier that's damaged. No one should even use exfoliation or spot treatment until their barrier is fixed. To do this, use a hydrating, gentle product with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. Then, it's okay to use a gentle exfoliation or spot treatment to address a more specific issue. Although college can be tough on your skin, thinking about your diet and choosing smart products can help protect your skin’s barrier from long-term damage. 

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