Dorm Life Skincare

It's the end of August, which means college campuses are starting to hum with activity; freshmen are hauling pin-boards and bean-bag chairs into their dorms and fraternities and sororities are throwing open their doors. If you're an upper classman, chances are you've already moved off campus, which means you likely have a private bathroom. For those experiencing dorm life for the first time, however, the idea of shared, grade school-style bathrooms might give you more butterflies than the prospect of a 300-person lecture hall. I won't deny that it's gross finding strands of strangers' hair on the shower stall walls or that it's annoying to wear flip-flops just because you want to brush your teeth without contracting athlete's foot. But one of the bigger challenges about acclimating to dorm life is maintaining a healthy skincare routine.

First, there's the issue of the shared bathroom. You won't have a private vanity in which to store your cleansers, toners, and moisturizers. Instead, invest in a small plastic tote container that you can use to shuttle your skincare essentials from bedroom to sink.

Second, moving into a new living situation can be stressful, and, as we know from last week's post, stress is a major factor contributing to acne. To avoid this, don't load up on killer courses your first semester; try to ease into academic life. Also be sure to get plenty of sleep. This might be tricky at first—especially if you are lucky enough to land a roomie with a heavy metal addiction or a love of late-night telephone chats. Solution? Bring earplugs!

Lastly, one of the biggest changes that accompanies dorm life is the advent of dining halls. No longer must you indulge your mother in "Meatloaf Monday." Now, your options are limited only by your school's food budget. Unfortunately, with 24-hour soft-serve ice-cream dispensers, many students forget all they learned about nutrition when they walk through the doors of the dining hall. Remember, your diet plays an integral role in the health of your skin. Sure, you can indulge every once in a while, but be conscious about getting a proper balance of whole grains, probiotics, protein, and anti-oxidants. Bonus: doing this will also keep the dreaded Freshman 15 at bay.

Not sure what products to bring along. Try the GR8/SKN line, developed specifically for young adult skin. See the products here!