A girl and her buff puff

Remember those days in high school when you had to worry about your skin breaking out right before prom, or a big date, or pretty much every day? I don't...because for some reason, I didn't have a problem with acne back then. My first two years of college (okay...also my only two years of college so far, hehe) I used to go to bed without even washing my makeup off!! With no problems!! But I didn't escape the evils of skin break-outs forever...is now it is one of my BIGGEST problems. It started when I got pregnant, which I feel is probably pretty normal...but it has continued to be a problem ever since. Needless to say, when your skin isn't looking it's best, it really sucks. So I have tried EVERYTHING to get my skin looking good again, and though I still have my breakouts here and there, in general, I have figured some things out that have really made it improve.

1. BUFF PUFF...I literally remember being five years old and my grammy Gervasi telling me to use a buff puff. Considering she smells better than anyone I know, has the softest skin, and might have literally been the first woman to get breast implants, I tend to take her beauty advice seriously. Pictured above is my 'off-brand' buff-puff...but I usually get the real thing. They can be hard to find (wal-mart doesn't carry them) but most drugstores have them in stock. Do not buy the knock-offs from wal-mart...they fall apart in less than week, BUT some drug-stores have really great knock-offs that work fine and are much cheaper than the actual brand name. I recommend using your buff-puff with your regular face soap (Just work the soap onto the puff into a lather) and use it only twice a week. It does some serious exfoliating, so you don't want to use it too often. (Also...note that you need to replace your buff-puff monthly to avoid bacteria buildup)

2. F*#@K Proactive. I am not saying it doesn't work at all...but I am saying out of the things I have tried, it was the most expensive, and definitely not the most affective. There really IS no miracle cure for normal acne...and it offends me that they market it that way. There are much cheaper and better ways to deal with your skin...please don't go the proactive route.

3. If you use your cell phone really often...wipe the screen regularly with a antibacterial wipe. Bacteria can build on the screen and since you're holding it to your face so much it can really do some damage.

4. On that note...wash your towels and pillowcases at LEAST once a week in a hot water cycle. For any towel that you dry or wipe your face with, use a clean one at least every other day. I saw this tip in a magazine and thought...oh geez, I really hope it's not because I am using dirty towels that my face is breaking out (GROSS!!!!!)...but then I tried it...and it helped.

5. Even if your skin is oily...use a moisturizer daily (just make sure it's oil-free). And don't wash your face more than twice a day...your skin produces natural oils, and if those oils are constantly stripped, your face will just produce MORE oil.

6. If you really have a problem with acne...I have one word for you when it comes to choosing makeup. NONCOMEDOGENIC. This means it will not aggravate your skin or block your pores. A lot of mineral makeup is noncomedogenic, and there are affordable options at wal-mart and drugstores, such as physician's formula.

7. Drink lots of water...and if you're really motivated, take Biotin. Biotin is a skin/hair/nails vitamin and it's pretty cheap, around $5 a bottle. I have been taking it for years, and although I can't say for sure if it helps your skin, I KNOW it keeps your hair healthy.