When it comes to pretty much any topic, it’s gonna be hella rare when most people are on the exact same page. If there is an immediate exception that comes to mind, personally, I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t want skin that is as flawless as possible. And if we want to achieve that, for most of us, it’s not just gonna happen out of nowhere; we’ve got to be intentional…there has to be a plan.
A part of that plan should consist of doing what we can to get our pores — the small openings that house our hair follicles, sebum, and sweat — to be as healthy and minimized as possible. Once you’ve got that on lock, branch out from there.
This article is going to set out to help you do both: nurture your pores and then give your skin, overall, what it needs. If you’re consistent, you should end up with the kind of skin that you get complimented on, consistently so, no matter what you have on or what season of the year that it is.
1. Get Professional Facials (Twice a Year)
Getty Images
Even though I have a pretty good skincare routine happening at home, I do make sure to go the extra mile and get a professional facial on my face and on my back (at least) twice a year. Professional (professional is key) ones are great because aestheticians are professionally trained in treating your skin. And so, if you’re looking to detox your pores (or make them appear smaller), reduce sebum, tighten your skin, fade dark spots, and/or even out your skin tone or get your skin’s pH levels to where they need to be, a professional facial can help to make that happen.
Since I’ve been treating my back to them, it’s done wonders for keeping the few breakouts that I would get under control. I don’t have one regret about investing in my skin this way. Not. One.
2. Keep Your Skin’s pH Levels Balanced
I’m pretty sure that, as it relates to your body, you’ve heard of “pH” before; however, do you know what the letters stand for? It’s “potential of hydrogen.” The reason it matters so much when it comes to your skin, and especially your pores, is because it speaks to how acidic your skin may or may not be. This is relevant because while the areas of your body that are more exposed, like your face and hands, are usually more alkaline, parts like your genital region are more acidic.
The range for pH is 1-14 (under 7 being acidic and above 7 being alkaline), and if you want your skin to be in its “happy place,” around 5.5 is good because it will help to keep your skin’s natural oils balanced. There are at-home strips that you can take to test your skin’s pH levels in order to keep your pH where it needs to be. Also, using gentle cleansers on your skin, applying a toner after doing so, and then moisturizing twice a day are wise moves as well.
3. Eat Foods That Are Full of Antioxidants
If you want your skin to have as little cell damage as possible, you need to take in some antioxidants on a consistent basis. At the end of the day, they are substances that help reduce signs of aging, protect your skin from damaging UV rays, reduce inflammation, stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, and help your skin feel soft and moisturized.
Although a lot of skin products contain antioxidants, if you want your skin to have a truly natural glow, it’s important to consume foods that are high in antioxidants, too. Some of those include cherries, pears, artichokes, black beans, pecans, dark leafy greens, and berries.
4. Try a Baking Soda Scrub
Getty Images
If you’re someone who considers themselves to be a minimalist or you are on-10 about caring for the environment, a site that you might want to bookmark is Treehugger. Recently, I was reading an article on its platform about all of the ways that baking soda benefits skin and hair, and it reminded me to give baking soda a shout-out here. As far as your skin, specifically, is concerned, baking soda helps to tighten your pores and reduce inflammation (it’s one of the best overnight remedies for pimples on the planet!). It also helps to soothe your skin after you shave, lighten the appearance of your armpits and it can also help to brighten up your complexion.
Another major perk about baking soda is that its properties are pretty good at killing the kind of bacteria that can lead to yeast infections and fungal infections overall. So, if you don’t have a box of good old-fashioned baking soda in your house, now you’ve got some really solid reasons to.
5. Do Chemical Peels
The main reason why I wrote “I've Been Doing At-Home Chemical Peels. Here Are The Pros And Cons.” for the platform last fall is because, when I was in the process of looking for a product that would help to soften the texture of my skin, I experimented with a company called Perfect Image that provides at-home chemical peel solutions in different concentrations of potency and I was really pleased with the results.
Whether you’re looking to get rid of the sebum that’s clogging and/or stretching your pores, reduce skin inflammation, soften the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, help to even out hyperpigmentation, and/or simply keep your skin from appearing dull, a chemical peel can handle all-a-dat.
You can get a professional one; however, like I said, there are companies that sell the kind that you can use at home with different strengths that you can “build up” over time. Either way, chemical peels (when you use them as directed or advised) are great at helping to cultivate radiant-looking skin.
6. Exfoliate. Don’t Overdo It, Though.
Probably, one of the quickest ways to give your skin a healthy glow is to exfoliate it, which is all about removing the surface layer of dead skin cells (and whatever other “stuff” is lying on top of your skin) and cleansing out your pores. For instance, if you’re someone who struggles with sebum plugs (like on your nose or chin), exfoliating your skin can help to remove them. Or, if you deal with body acne, a dry brush can help with that, too.
The key to getting the most out of exfoliating is to not overdo it (1-2 times a week is good), and to use a gentle exfoliant (a DIY brown sugar scrub, a facial scrub, or a pair of exfoliating gloves for your body are ideal) and to follow it up with a (preferably) water-based moisturizer so that your skin is both soothed as well as protected once you’re done.
7. Use Plant Oils Daily
Getty Images
Oftentimes, whenever, the topic of plant-based oils comes up, it’s in the context of using ones like olive, peanut, and sunflower for cooking purposes. However, plant-based oils are also good for your skin. For instance, grapeseed oil is filled with vitamins C and E; C can help to boost collagen production in your skin, while E can help to heal any blemishes or scars that you might have.
Avocado oil helps to reduce aging signs and soothe inflammation that is caused by acne, eczema, and psoriasis, and it deeply nourishes your skin. Rosehip oil is a natural exfoliant that also helps to protect your skin from damaging UV rays as it reduces hyperpigmentation and softens the appearance of fine lines and aging.
Personally, I’ve been using plant-based oils for several years now, and I definitely can cosign on the fact that they have done wonders for my skin from scalp to foot (especially plum oil; check out “Plum Oil Is The Oil You Should Ease Into The Fall Season With”).
8. Treat Yourself to an Ice Roller
Something that I actually haven’t tried before is an ice roller. I know a few folks who are huge fans of it, though. When you stop and think about the fact that even cold water helps to close your pores and tighten your skin, it would make sense since rubbing ice on your face would take those benefits to an even higher level. In fact, if you’re looking for a relatively simple way to reduce puffiness and detox your skin, applying an ice roller can help to make that happen. Harper's BAZAAR has a list of some of the best ones on the market right here.
9. Apply a Combination of Geranium and Rosemary Oil (at Night)
I will say that some skincare experts advise that if you have acne-prone skin, face serums instead of face oils are probably better for you. That said, if you want to deeply nourish your skin while you sleep, so that it’s able to thoroughly rejuvenate itself, applying a face oil can make that happen. A combination that you might want to try consists of geranium essential oil and rosemary oil.
Geranium is bomb because it’s loaded with anti-inflammatory properties that can help to treat breakouts overnight; plus, it offers some all-natural estrogen-boosting benefits from an aromatherapy standpoint if you notice that your skin is shifting a bit due to perimenopause or menopause.
Rosemary oil and I are always gonna be tight because it contains properties that increase blood circulation, fight off acne-causing bacteria, and soften the skin while evening out its tone.
10. Never Underestimate Pimple Patches
Getty Images
Something that I used to think was a complete fluke is pimple patches — that is, until I tried them for myself. When it comes to blind pimples, I’ll be honest and say that even the pimple patch brands that say they will help with them…they don’t seem to do much (blind pimples are a mutha!). And when it comes to blackheads, that’s not really what they’re made for.
However, if you’ve got a whitehead (or almost whitehead) or a zit that seems to be full of pus and you want to drain that bad boy while avoiding as much skin damage as possible, pimple patches are gonna change ya life! I have applied them countless times (Hero. is the brand that I use, by the way) on period pimples before turning in and have awakened to flattened zits and a patch that is white (thanks to the hydrocolloid that the patches are made of; not the gunk that is in my pimples).
Clearing a pore quickly can happen with a pimple patch — and a cleared pore puts you on the path to the skin that you’ve always wanted, y’all!
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by GlobalStock/Getty Images
RELATED
Anyway, I personally think that the less shallow folks out here may contemplate calling things “quits” or they at least distance themselves a bit from their partner (and what I’m referring to is serious relationships) due to all of the stress and strain that oftentimes comes with the holidays whether it be financial, familial, due to their tight schedules or something else.
Listen, I would hate for you and your man to miss the fun and happiness of experiencing this time of year, all because you are so overwhelmed or irritated that you can’t really enjoy it. That’s why I have a few practical tips for how to avoid allowing the typical holiday season stress from INFECTING your relationship.
Manage Your Expectations
GiphyUnmanaged expectations. If there is a main reason why the holiday season tends to be so stress-filled for so many people, I’d bet good money that this is the cause. And when you’re in a long-term relationship, expectations can manifest themselves in all sorts of cryptic and/or unexpected ways. You might have relatives who assume that you are going to be with them for Thanksgiving or Christmas when you have other plans in mind. You might be thinking that you are going to spend one amount for presents while your man is thinking something totally different. When it comes to scheduling, your signals may be crossed.
And you know what? To all of these scenarios, this is where clear and consistent communication come in. Don’t assume anything. Don’t dictate anything either. From now until New Year’s, mutually decide to check in once a week, just to make sure that you are both on the same page as it relates to the holidays and what you both are thinking will come along with it. The less blindsided you both feel, the less stressed out you will be. Trust me on this.
Set (and Keep) a Budget
GiphyOkay, so I read that last year, 36 percent of Americans incurred some type of holiday-related debt. Hmph. Last year, there was still some sense of normalcy in this country, chile, so I can only imagine what finances are gonna look like over the next several weeks. That said, since I don’t know a lot of people who don’t find being broke stressful, make sure that you and your bae set a budget and then stick to it this year — no ifs, ands or buts.
Because really, y’all — it doesn’t make sense to deplete savings and/or max out credit cards for a few days of giggles only to be damn near losing your mind because you don’t know how to make ends meet come Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
And by the way, this tip doesn’t just speak to things like food and gifts; I also mean travel. If it doesn’t make a ton of sense (or cents) to be all over the place this year — DON’T BE.
Keep Matthew 5:37 at the Forefront
GiphyIf off the top of your head, you don’t know what Matthew 5:37 says, no worries, here ya go: “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” That verse right there? Oh, it’s a boundaries lifesaver! I say that because do you see “maybe” or “I’ll think about it” in there? Nope. LOL. It says that you should tell people “yes” or “no” and leave it at that — and that complements Anne Lamott’s quote, “’No’ is a complete sentence” impeccably well. Yeah, you’ve got to remember that anything beyond a yes or no to a request is privileged information; you don’t owe anyone details or an explanation.
Besides, if you are really honest with yourself, when someone asks you something and you give a “Umm, let me think about it” kind of reply, more times than not, you already know what your answer is going to be — so why not let you both off of the hook? Give your response. Commit to that. And let everyone (including yourself) get on with their lives and schedules.
I promise you that when it comes to those holiday parties, you are pissing more folks off by not RSVP’ing or doing so and not showing up than just saying, “Thank you but not this year” off the rip.
Remember That Your Personal Space Is Privilege Not a Right
GiphyA friend of mine recently bought a new house and invited me over to come see it. He’s a single man with no children, so as I was taking in all of the space that he had, especially as I walked through his finished basement, I joked about relatives coming to live with him. “Hell no” and “absolutely not” were pretty much his immediate responses as he went on to say that some folks even had the nerve to be offended when he told them that he had no intentions on taking DNA in.
Ain’t it wild how people think that your stuff is their right? And yes, that brings me to my next point. Your home is your sanctuary space. If you want to host folks this year — cool. If not, ALSO COOL. Please don’t let folks (family included) guilt you into how they want you to act or even into what they would do if the shoe was on the other foot. You are not them — and as one of my favorite quotes states, “If two people were exactly alike, one of them would be unnecessary.” (A man by the name Larry Dixon said that.)
Hell, my friends? They know that I am good for sending them random things that they need or even want all throughout the year. Coming over to hang out at my pace, though. Uh-uh. Chalk it up to being a card-carrying member of the ambivert club yet I like keeping my living space personal — and I sleep like a baby, each and every night, for feeling that way.
Always remember that your space, your time, your resources, your energy and shoot, yourself period (including your relationship), are all things that are your own. You get to choose how, when and why you want to share them. The holiday season is certainly no exception.
Cultivate Some “You Two Only” Traditions
GiphyIt’s not uncommon for some couples to hit me up after the holiday season to “detox.” Sometimes it’s due to the financial drama (and sometimes trauma) that they experienced. Sometimes it’s because they allowed their relatives (especially in-laws) to get more into their personal business than they should’ve. More than anything, though, it tends to be because they didn’t get enough quality time together and so ended up feeling “disconnected.”
Please don’t let that happen. Listen, I’m not even a holidays kind of woman and yet, I will absolutely sit myself down with some hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies to enjoy a Hallmark holiday film or two. Aside from the fact that most of them are lighthearted and sweet, I also like that they usually focus on couples loving on each other amidst all of the holiday beauty and ambiance — which is something that all couples should set aside some time to do.
Maybe it’s a vacation. Maybe it’s a staycation. Or maybe it’s my personal favorite, A SEXCATION. Whether it’s for a few days, the weekend or even overnight — don’t you let the holidays go by without setting aside time for you and your man to celebrate one another. Don’t you dare (check out “Are You Ready To Have Some Very Merry 'Christmas Sex'?”).
GET. SOME. REST.
GiphyI once read that 8 out of 10 people get stressed out over the holidays and 3 out of 10 lose sleep during to it — and when you’re stress-filled and sleep-deprived, that can absolutely lead to hypersensitivity, making mountains out of molehills and even not being in the mood for sex.
Your relationship can’t afford to go through any of this, so definitely make sure to prioritize rest. I don’t care how unrealistic it might seem during this time, sleep should never be seen as a luxury; it will always and forever be a great necessity.
That said, try to get no less than six hours of shut-eye in (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”) and even ask your bae to take a nap with you sometimes (check out “Wanna Have Some Next-Level Sex? Take A Nap, Sis.”). Not only will sleep help to restore your mind, body and spirit but, when it’s with your partner, it’s an act of intimacy that can make you both feel super connected, even in the midst of what might feel like chaos.
___
Holiday season stress is real. Still, never give it the permission or power to throw your relationship off. Put you and your man first and let the holidays be what they are gonna be, chile.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Shutterstock
If, while on your continual journey to get the best out of your own tresses, you’d like to learn how to get them healthier than it’s ever been, I’ve got seven acids that are typically known for skin use that can be just as beneficial to your hair as well.
1. Salicylic Acid
When it comes to your skin, salicylic acid is beta-hydroxy acid that is great for your skin if you’re looking for something that will exfoliate it, clear out your pores and dissolve dead skin cells. In fact, this is why it’s an acid that is quite popular when it comes to treating acne.
Your hair will enjoy salicylic acid because, if you’re looking to remove product build-up, you want to soothe an itchy or irritated scalp or you’ve got some dandruff flakes that are totally driving you up the wall, salicylic acid has the ability to treat all of this. Either purchasing a shampoo that contains this ingredient or adding it to your favorite scalp scrub is probably the most effective way to get the most out of it.
Just make sure that if your scalp is sensitive or dry that you approach with caution. In these instances, it could end up irritating your scalp more than helping it out, so use a very little bit in the beginning to make sure that it vibes with you.
2. Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that can help to even out your skin tone as well as slow down the signs of aging. The properties in it help to do this by reducing hyperpigmentation and boosting collagen production in your skin as well as keeping it hydrated.
Why is it great for your locks? For one thing, lactic acid is considered to be a humectant. This means that it pulls water from the air so that your hair is able to remain moisturized.
Another thing that makes it a winner is the fact that lactic acid breaks down dead skin cells on your scalp (so that your hair follicles are able to flourish), it can help to soften and detangle your hair (making it a helpful addition on your wash days) and it also helps to protect your tresses from heat styling tools and UV damage. Applying a hair rinse that’s made up of part lactic acid and part water can work wonderfully (so long as you apply it once a month, tops; more than that might be too “intense” for your hair strands).
3. Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is a water-soluble alpha hydroxy acid that is actually made from sugar. Your skin will adore it because it smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improves the texture of your skin, gently exfoliates, clears your pores and brightens up your complexion overall.
The reasons why you should consider this acid for your hair is because it helps to keep your scalp youthful (and yes, there is such a thing; check out “Your Scalp Ages Six Times Faster Than Your Face. Why It Matters.”), removes excess sebum (that could be clogging up your hair follicles) and it helps to keep your hair moisturized. Your best bet here is to make it a part of your pre-shampooing ritual.
4. Succinic Acid
Succinic acid is an acid that is made from sugar cane and contains antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Although it doesn’t exactly exfoliate (like many of these other acids do), it can still be beneficial to your skin when it comes to reducing the kind of irritation that is associated with eczema, decreasing the bacteria that leads to breakouts and keeping your skin pretty hydrated.
As far as your hair goes, this is an acid that is worth trying out because it helps to balance the sebum that is on your scalp, remove dead skin and product build-up that can irritate your scalp and clog your hair follicles and, succinic acid is also beneficial when it comes to reducing dandruff and helping to prevent hair loss. Most people tend to apply this as a serum.
5. Hyaluronic Acid
I’ve officially sung the praises of hyaluronic acid on this platform before. One example is via the article, “Why Your Skin, Hair, And Nails Need Hyaluronic Acid Like...Yesterday.” On the skin tip, hyaluronic acid is great because it deeply hydrates your skin, contains anti-aging properties and can even bring relief to vaginal (including vulvar) dryness.
Your hair will adore this particular acid because it aids moisture to it (including your hair follicles), will help to improve your hair’s texture and it also soothes scalp dryness, nurtures the cuticles of your tresses and decreases frizz. Using a serum rich in this acid as a pre-poo or as a leave-in conditioner is recommended.
6. Azelaic Acid
If you’ve never heard of azelaic acid before, this is your lucky day. It’s a dicarboxylic acid that, when it comes to skincare (and hair care) products, is usually synthetic. Anyway, if you are looking for a way to reduce inflammation, even skin tone after a breakout or if you want to use an exfoliant that will improve the texture of your skin overtime, you might want to give this acid a shot.
This one makes the list as far as your hair is concerned because, if achieving more inches is your current focus, azelaic acid might come in handy. That’s because it is able to strengthen your hair, thicken your strands and also stimulate hair growth from within your hair follicles.
7. Glutamic Acid
Glutamic acid is actually a type of amino acid. Skin-wise, it’s great for deeply hydrating your skin as well as protecting it from pollutants and damaging UV rays. Also, if you’re looking for an acid that treats skin dryness or “tightness,” this could be the answer to your prayers.
Since glutamic acid is also considered to be a humectant, it’s another acid that can moisturize your hair. As a result, it can decrease breakage while helping your hair to feel smooth and look shiny.
BONUS: Amino Acids
Speaking of amino acids and hair, please try to keep some amino acids in your diet at all times. The reason why is because, since your hair is made up of mostly protein (keratin, to be exact), amino acids are pretty darn effective when it comes to helping you to maintain the overall health and well-being of your hair.
Ones to prioritize include proline (it boosts collagen so that your hair strands can maintain flexibility); arginine (it increases blood flow to your hair follicles so that they can receive the nutrients that they need); cysteine (it helps to keep your hair follicles healthy); alanine (it helps your system to produce more collagen), and isoleucine (it strengthens the tissues that help to make up your hair strands). All of these are available in supplement form or you can use Google to see which foods contain them.
___
Although it might initially seem odd to apply acid to your hair, as you can see, certain ones will work miracles for it. So, test them out to see which one tickles your fancy.
Hell, since they work for your skin as well — it’s a two-for-one deal that is worth every penny!
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Shutterstock