Teen Beauty 101: A to Z Skincare
 is for acne, the bane
of any teen’s life! Bad news is it comes with the territory of
being a teen. Good news is most teens will lose the acne once
they pass those teen years. Not exactly reassuring when you are
at that crucial self-conscious stage and you are covered in lumps
and bumps! Basic deal is that acne is caused when your sebaceous
glands (oil glands), which make oil to keep your hair and skin
moist, go overboard and produce too much oil. Your skin can also
go into overdrive shedding cells (which it does heaps – about
a million little cells are shed from your body every minute!).
The combo of too much oil and too many little dead cells leads
to some major clogging of the pores. Bacteria gets trapped and,
da da, you have spots! These can either be white heads, blackheads
or the more severe hard nodules. There are some basics that can
help. Avoid greasy food and go for a healthy diet instead. Wash
your face twice a day with a gentle facial wash free of Sodium
Lauryl Sulphate (like Bellaboo
All That Facial Wash for clean, wicked skin). Use non-comodogenic,
oil-free or non-acnegenic makeup or sunscreen. Keep hairsprays
or gels away from your face as they can also clog pores. Keep
long hair away from the face and wash it frequently. Avoid squeezing
or picking spots. Steer clear of harsh chemical creams to treat
acne as often they over-stimulate the skin causing it to create
more oil and more problems! We love Bellaboo
E Z Blitz Serum to blitz blemishes and balance skin! The Bellaboo
Crew swear it clears up zits in 2-3 days. |
 is for blackheads. Blackheads
are caused when the pore gets clogged but stays open. The top
surface darkens and you are left with a blackhead. To fight blackheads,
make sure you use a gentle and natural cleanser to keep skin clean.
Exfoliate twice weekly to keep those dead cells away from open
pores. Make sure you use a gentle exfoliator, as anything too
harsh will only over-stimulate skin. We love Bellaboo
Buff Skin Facial Exfoliator to buff your way to glowing skin.
Try putting a warm towel on the blackhead area and then apply
gentle pressure as this may unclog the pores. Do not pick or squeeze. |
 is for cleanse. Make this
your daily mantra and it will save your skin! Cleansing skin and
using the right type of cleanser is the number one thing you can
do for it. Alkaline cleansers or ones that contain Sodium Lauryl
Sulphate (SLS) strip surface oil from the skin, leaving it in
need of more oil. The oil glands respond by pumping out more oil
to compensate, leading to skin that is out of balance and prone
to problems. Just do a quick check of ingredients on the pack
and if you see these two then give it a miss! SLS is also used
as an engine degreaser so it doesn’t take a degree in cosmetics
to figure that it can’t be that gentle on your skin! Use an SLS-free
cleanser with natural ingredients – it will do the job gently!
Cleanse skin morning and night. We love Bellaboo
All That Clean Skin Facial Wash for totally clean, wicked
skin! |
 is for dermatologist.
If you suffer from really bad breakouts then be off to a dermatologist.
There is no point in trying every potion and lotion in an attempt
to blitz zits ‘cos putting on all that stuff will probably only
make your skin worse. The more you over-stimulate spotty skin
the more your skin is likely to try and produce more oil to compensate
for all the drying effects of products. A dermatologist has made
skin their life’s work, so they know what they’re talkin’ bout!
They will professionally analyse your skin and give advice about
what you need to do to get your skin back to normal. Go to www.dermcoll.asn.au
where you can locate your closest dermatologist in Australia.
There are bound to be similar associations and websites in other
parts of the world. |
 is for exfoliate. Exfoliating
skin is a must as it removes dead cells from the skin’s surface.
It’s an instant way of refreshing skin’s appearance and also stimulating
cell renewal, so that fresh, plump cells are brought to the surface.
Avoid abrasive scrubs on problem skin. If you have pimples, blemishes
or acne, these can be easily opened up or irritated with the abrasive
particles contained in some exfoliators. If you don’t have problem
skin, a harsh exfoliator can create problems by over-stimulating
the skin sebum, resulting in over-production of oil. Exfoliating
is a vital step in a skin care regimen, but you should always
opt for gentle exfoliation. We love Bellaboo
Buff Skin Facial Exfoliator to buff your way to gorgeous skin!
|
 is for facial. It’s a
luxurious way to pamper yourself. It can be done by a professional
or you can give yourself one at home. A beauty therapist will
analyse your skin and pick a facial to suit your skin. It will
usually involve deep cleansing, exfoliating, extraction (professional
term for squeezing zits); massage, mask and intense moisturisation.
Now, don’t expect miracle results. All that work on your face
can actually bring zits to the surface but the facial does work
to balance and remedy skin so that after regular treatments you
will notice the difference. Advantage of going to a therapist
is that they know what they are doing. If you choose to do it
at home make sure you know what you are doing and use only natural,
gentle products. One of the Bellaboo Crew had a girl’s night in
doing facials. All six girls awoke the next morning to a face
full of zits! |
 is for gorgeous skin and
there are some simple things you can do to get it. Eat healthy
- if you put rubbish into your body it will come out as rubbish
in the form of zits. Get plenty of sleep – your skin does its
best work when it is at rest. Drink plenty of water; it keeps
your body hydrated. Don’t smoke, it will add years to your skin
age. We’re not going to get all rental on you but don’t binge
drink. A heavy session will dehydrate skin. Not to mention, that
being off your face is soooo unattractive! |
 is for hypoallergenic
and that means a cosmetic that does not produce allergic reactions.
But, as how allergic you are can vary depending on your sensitivity,
it is difficult to state that any product is 100% hypoallergenic.
Usually when this term is used it means that a product is fragrance-free
and uses very mild preservatives. |
 is for in-grown hair and
that means ouch! Usually happens on areas that are waxed or shaved.
They are caused when the shaved hair gets trapped inside the hair
follicle and grows into the skin. This then gets infected and
you get a raised lump that is quite painful. Whatever you do DON’T
use a product with alcohol in it as its drying effect will only
make it worse. Exfoliating skin where you shave can help prevent
the problem. You can use a gentle face scrub, like Bellaboo
Buff Skin Facial Exfoliator on the area. Don’t shave too close
to razor bumps. To remove, lift the ingrown hair out gently with
tweezers but don’t pluck as it will only make the hair regrow
deeper. |
 is for JBUG (Just Between
Us Girls) and that’s what your skin care and beauty secrets should
be all about! If you discover a fabbo product that just makes
your skin look amazing or the best mascara, lip gloss or whatevz,
then share it with your boos! |
 is for khol – a must have
cosmetic staple in any teen makeup bag! You don’t have to spend
a fortune either – the Bellaboo Crew are fans of Designer Brands
khol pencils. They come in awesome colours like silver, violet,
green, blue and the staple black and brown. They give a really
defined line and feel soft and smooth going on. |
 is for loofah and it’s
a natural wonder for exfoliating the body. They are so cheap and
you can get them at chemists, department stores and bargain shops.
Simply use in the shower all over your body and you will step
out with glowing, smooth as silk skin. Just don’t use it on your
face as it’s way too harsh. |
 is for moisturise – the
third step in your essential skin care routine. Because our skin
is exposed to daily environmental stresses – sun, smoke, pollutants,
highly processed foods – it is being ravaged on a daily basis
and needs a good line of defence against these assaults. This
is where a good moisturiser steps in. It works to protect the
skin against attack, and to nourish, replenish and feed the skin
with essential nutrients. Even the most oily skin needs to moisturise.
We love Bellaboo
Gorgeous Skin Moisture Dew, because it can be used on any
skin type as it works to balance skin and bring it back to a healthy,
normal state. The all natural ingredients feel amazing, smell
gorgeous and your skin does look gorgeous after use! |
 is for non-comedogenic
which is a term for cosmetics that means it won’t clog pores.
However, the term can be misleading. Ingredients are tested on
the ears of rabbits and there is some question about the reliability
of these tests. Plus, people’s reactions vary so much that even
products that have used non-pore-clogging ingredients can still
cause a reaction. There is no official list of non-comedogenic
ingredients and no standards, so it is difficult to be confident
in products that make this claim. |
 is for oily skin and it’s
a condition common to many teens. Basically the teen years, when
our hormones are all over the place, is a time when we produce
excess oil. Oily skin looks glossy, especially in the T-zone.
Using the right products is the best way to counteract oily skin.
Cleanse with a gentle cleanser that does not dry the skin, such
as Bellaboo
All That Clean Skin Facial Wash. Cleanse only twice a day
– morning and night. Over-cleansing will only dry out the skin
and make your oil glands work harder! Use a light moisturiser
that works to help balance skin, like Bellaboo
Gorgeous Skin Moisture Dew. |
 is for pimples, the collective
word for spots, blackheads and whiteheads. What is there to say?
They are the pits and we just want them blitzed! Cause is as per
acne, white heads and blackheads – too much oil, dead skin cells,
blocked pores and you get eruptions. Bellaboo Crew swear by Bellaboo
E Z Blitz Serum, which blitz’s zits in 2-3 days and helps
balance skin so it stays pimple-free! |
 is for question and that’s
what you should do when you go to buy beauty stuff. It’s your
dosh so spend it wisely. Know your stuff and you can suss out
good skin care from bad. Ask if a product contains Sodium Lauryl
Sulphate (SLS) or if it’s been tested on animals or whether it
is chemical or natural-based. Ask questions and be rewarded with
products that will work for you! |
 is for rosacea. This is
a skin condition that many mistake for acne but it’s a condition
all on its own. It’s a reddening of the skin that can then get
worse and be red and lumpy. There is no known cause. You basically
look as if you are permanently embarrassed and often you can’t
even use cosmetics to cover up as they can make it worse! Some
things are known to trigger the condition and avoiding those can
help. They include: alcohol, spicy foods, coffee and tea, getting
too hot, and over-exposure to sun. Seabuckthorn Berry Oil is an
all natural ingredient taken from the berries of a tree that grows
wild in the Himalayas. Research has shown promising results with
this oil on rosacea. It’s the key ingredient in the all of the
products in the Bellaboo range! |
 is for sun care. You might
think a tan is cool now but when you are 20 and look 30 or 30
and look 40 you may regret baking yourself. Seriously, the sun
is the most ageing factor on skin. So be sun smart, don’t sun
bake, and wear an SPF 30+ and hat when out in the sun. You should
also start to think about wearing a moisturiser with inbuilt sun
protection. You can buy moisturisers with inbuilt SPF30+. Bellaboo
Gorgeous Skin Moisture Dew’s key ingredient, sea buckthorn berry
oil, has sun protective qualities. |
 is for T-zone and it’s
the area including your forehead and nose – shaped like a T. It’s
also known as combination skin as you experience more than one
skin type. For example, you could have dry skin everywhere except
in your T-zone. The cause of a T-zone is the same as that for
oily or spotty skin – an over-production of oil (sebum) in that
area. To treat, cleanse skin twice daily, using a gentle cleanser.
Use a light moisturiser that works to balance skin. Bellaboo
Gorgeous Skin Moisture Dew is great for over the face. For
the T-Zone, mix Bellaboo
Gorgeous Skin Moisture Dew with Bellaboo
E Z Blitz Serum and apply to the T-Zone. They will both work
to balance skin but the Serum has specific ingredients designed
to regulate oil production, fight infection and heal. |
 is for ultraviolet rays
and there are three types – UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA and UVB are
the only types that are harmful to the skin as UVC does not penetrate
the ozone layer and doesn’t reach the earth. UVB rays are mostly
responsible for most cases of sunburn. They are shorter than UVA
rays and only reach the surface layer of skin. The UVA ray damage
is deeper as the rays are longer and reach the inner layer of
skin. They are responsible for causing skin to lose its elasticity,
which leads to ageing. Both UVA and UVB rays can lead to skin
cancer. Melanoma is usually caused by UVA rays. Non-melanoma cancer
is usually caused by UVB rays. Just remember that brown tan colour
is your skin’s protective reaction to injury. |
 is for vanity which equals
boring. Nothing worse than someone who obsesses about the way
they look and can’t pass a mirror without checking themselves
out! Confidence is cool but vanity is naff. No need to obsess
about the way you look – you are who you are and if you are happy
about that you will be confident and that’s heaps more attractive
than someone who thinks they are hot! |
 is for white head, which
is a small white mass under the surface of the skin, caused by
a build up of sebum. |
 X is for xenophoric, which
means someone who celebrates difference. The Bellaboo Crew loves
this term, especially when it comes to beauty – we are all different
and we take xenophoric pleasure in that! |
 Y is for youth – enjoy
it and make the most of it! We love this little motto – don’t
focus on the destination, enjoy the journey! |
 iis for zits – just another
name given to the bane of a teen’s life! |
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Published April 7th, 2007 | Written by Bellaboo
