Autumn Blush

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” 1 Timothy 2:9-10

What Really Matters

While looking nice is important, it is also important to remember that how we look does not define who we are inside. If we are blessed with physical beauty, then we should use it for God’s work. Remember, Queen Esther (from the book of Esther) was chosen by the king for her beauty but used it to save her people (Esther 4).

Also, keep in mind next time you see a girl whose face is covered with acne, that she did not choose to look that way. She probably works very hard to try and clear her face, and it is unfair and ungodly to judge her by her appearance. The same holds true for everyone, whether they have big ears, a large nose, or are overweight. What if something happened and your beauty was taken away today? Would you still be the same person inside? Would you want others to judge you by what you look like?

The most important thing is what is our heart, because that is what God will judge. Outward beauty will fade, but if your heart is beautiful, it will always shine through. “Charm is deceitful, and beauty if vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” (Proverbs 13:30). If someone isn’t interested in how your heart is, then they have the wrong mindset. Your true friends will always be there for you, even if you show up to school on Monday with a huge pimple on your forehead.

There will always be people that will be mean and make fun of others, and what you can do is love them. Yes, love them. We are to love our enemies as God first loved us. Pray for those who poke fun at you and others, pray that one day they will have the understanding you do about Jesus’ saving love and who we are in God’s eyes. Because even if they do have outward beauty, they have nothing unless they have Jesus (Luke 10:41-42).

Ten Steps to Make Your Skin Glow

September is a beautiful month––it’s almost fall, and this means the temperature is great and the leaves are starting to change. There are so many fun things to do outdoors this time of year, and with the cold weather coming, it’s important to take care of our skin. I challenge each and every one of you to follow these easy steps for six weeks––just six weeks––and see if you don’t have better-looking skin.

Step 1: Learn to read product labels! This will save you time and frustration! Don’t believe every commercial on TV; look into products for yourself. Read reviews online before buying products, and learn to read product labels for yourself so you know what you’re putting on your skin! For instance, let’s say you have skin prone to acne. You want to look for a product that either has 2% salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid) or 2% Benzoyl peroxide. However, if you have sensitive skin, be very careful, because salicylic acid is known to dry out skin. If you have this problem, talk to a dermatologist. When looking for an exfoliant, look for something with an alpha-hydroxy acid in it. There are many effective ingredients used in sunscreens; some you want to look for are: Avobenzone, Octisalate, Octocrylene and Oxybenzone. If a product has alcohol in it, beware––it can irritate and dry out skin. Take the time to research what you buy.

Step 2: Drink more water. Experts recommend eight glasses a day, which, I know, seems impossible. However, try adding just one extra glass a day this week. Maybe next week shoot for another one. This is a really easy way to help your skin by preventing it from becoming dehydrated and drying out. And the cool air of fall and winter dries out the skin even more. Try taking a bottle in your purse with you when you go out.

Step 3: Watch what you eat. Good nutrition can play a vital role in having beautiful skin. They say you are what you eat, which is true. Ever notice when you eat junk you feel like junk? Well, your skin is the same way. No, I’m not saying that chocolate causes zits, just that eating your fruits and veggies can make a big impact on your complexion. Also remember, when trying to drink more water, fruits and vegetables contain water that can count toward your eight glasses. See! It just got easier.

Step 4: Get more sleep! This step can be the easiest one by far. As a teenager it can be hard to get enough sleep, what with homework, friends, practice after school, and those football games on weekends. However, try and squeeze in an extra half an hour a night. Have you noticed that when you don’t get enough sleep, the bags under your eyes become more pronounced and purplish? Your skin reflects how your body feels, so treat it right and get some extra sleep tonight.

Step 5: Autumn is a time of year when people, especially teens, start giving up the sunscreen because they think summer is over and they don’t have to worry about it anymore. Wrong. Every single morning, you should put on a moisturizer with sunscreen, and if you plan on staying outside for a while, plan on reapplying every two hours with at least an SPF of 30. Cooler temperatures don’t mean less risk of a burn. Try your best when outside to stay in the shade or to wear a hat. This is the single most important thing you can do for you skin. Remember not only to put it on your face but your neck and everywhere else that is exposed, including your arms, legs, and hands.

Step 6: Wash your face twice a day, every morning and before bed, even if you don’t have acne. This will clear away dirt and oil on the surface of the skin and help give it that clear, beautiful look we all want. If you’re in a hurry or really tired before bed, keep a pack of face wipes in your medicine cabinet. It only takes two minutes to wipe your face and take the make-up off, but you will thank yourself ten years down the road.

Step 7: Use an exfoliant (scrub) three times a week, but no more. An exfoliant can really make your skin glow by rubbing off all the dead skin on the epidermis (your top layer of skin). However, you have to be very careful about using this product too much or you will damage the new skin under the dead cell layers by rubbing them off too. Keep in mind that if you do this, you fighting premature aging. While they do make scrubs with medications for acne in them, make sure you’re not using too many products with these ingredients or you will really dry out your skin. Choose the scrub or the cleanser or the astringent with the salicylic acid in it, not all three.

Step 8: After washing and exfoliating your skin, apply a toner or an astringent. These two products are essentially the same thing, only an astringent contains a product to help control acne. However, astringents are known for drying out skin very easily. The purpose of the toner is to return the skin to its natural pH level. Something from chemistry class that you can actually use in real life! Remember the pH scale? A pH of 7 is considered neutral; above 7 is alkaline, and below is acidic. When you use different products on your skin, you change the pH level of your skin. The skin has a pH level of 4–5.5, and a toner will help return your skin to its normal level.

Step 9: Applying a moisturizer every morning and every night before bed (after you finish washing your face) is one of the best things you can do for your skin. Not only does it keep your skin from looking dry and flaky, but you’re also protecting your skin from premature aging. Look for something that is oil-free and contains an SPF of 15 or above. Apply it not only to your face, but use the moisturizer on your neck, as well, to prevent sagging. When looking for a product, make sure you find one that says oil-free so that it won’t clog pores.

Step 10: Beware of using body wash or other soap products on your face––they will dry out your skin and strip away your natural acid mantle (the top of your skin is a natural layer of oil and sebum called your acid mantle). The skin is naturally acidic, and this layer protects the skin from outside bacteria. Body wash strips away this layer, leaving your skin unprotected.

My Favorite Products: (Hover over photo to see product name.)

All of these can be found at your local drugstore for under $10!

By Alicia Marie Sargent