Growing up it seemed that there was always something my
mother would nag me about. Like any teenager I highly resented this and usually
would do the exact opposite of what I was told to do. I was an extremely
stubborn child, but looking back, I see that most of that scolding was actually the same valuable beauty advice that I now read about in magazines. It seems that taking
a second to listen to your mom may lead to better skin, better hair and a healthier
you. 

“Stop touching your face.” When stressed or bored, most people find it hard not to lean their head
on their hands or touch their face. This may sound harmless, but think about
how many objects covered in bacteria we touch every day. This is easily
transferred along with the natural oil, called sebum, from your hands onto
your face and can clog your pores, causing a breakout. Along with sebum, your
hands will rub off dead skin cells that can fill your hair follicles, producing
a zit. 

The fix: Try to keep
your hands busy as much as you can. When you find yourself consciously touching
your face remember how it could give you an ugly zit for the upcoming weekend
to force yourself to stop. If you can’t resist, just be sure to thoroughly wash
your hands as much as you can throughout the day.

“Make your face as smooth as a baby’s bottom.” If there’s anything I have taken away from my
mother’s beauty regimen it’s that it’s all about moisturizing. At first I never wanted to
use it because I thought it would make my face oily. The truth is that I
just needed to find the right kind that complemented my skin type. Also, it’s
even more important to use it during cold winter months when our skin desperately needs that healthy dose of hydration.

The fix: Figure out
what type of skin type you have and what aspects of a moisturizer you are
looking for (one with SPF in it, scented, oil-free, etc). Apply the cream on semi-wet skin right
after washing your face and patting it dry with a towel.

“Don’t pop your pimples.”
It is one of the hardest temptations to resist popping a zit when it is so obnoxiously large or has formed a whitehead right on the most visible part of
your face. This is one I still have a hard time listening to, but it’s one of the most unhealthy habits for your complexion.

Squeezing a zit actually moves the bacteria in the pimple downwards deeper into your skin, which could cause
inflammation, swelling and scar your face for longer than the original zit
would have lasted, according to Allure.com. Breaking the skin open is ultimately more harmful
in that it can also lead to an infection.

The fix: At the
first sign of a zit apply benzoyl peroxide gel to it. Do this at least two
times a day or after washing your face. Test out the gel before using it
continuously though, since it may cause some minor irritations, especially with sensitive
skin. Then apply an oil and fragrance-free moisturizer so that the area around
the pimple won’t become dry and red. Finish covering it with a medicated
concealer or foundation to temporarily maskthe blemish.

“Don’t forget to floss.” After a night out, it’s hard enough for me to muster the strength to wash my face and
brush my teeth before passing out in my bed, let alone floss. But running that wax between your choppers is an extremely important habit to pick up and incorporate into your daily beauty regime. Forgetting to
floss can lead to bad breath, tooth decay and even bleeding gums or gum disease
(this can cause black spaces that look like little seeds between your teeth to
form), not to mention discolored enamel.

The fix: Use that
little spool daily. Usually it’s best to do after brushing your teeth before
you go to sleep. If you have sensitive gums, buy a gentle floss version that
will be more comfortable for you to use.

“Wash that makeup off so you don’t get it on my pillows.” Sleeping in your makeup (or not taking it off
before a workout) is the best way to give you clogged pores, breakouts, eye
irritation and clumped lashes. During the night your skin takes time to turn over
cells, and if you wear makeup it can block your pores and prevent this critical turnover process from happening.
The eye makeup left on can sneak into your eyes at night causing you to rub
your eyes more, which, in extreme cases, can pop blood vessels and cause infections. 

The fix: At the very
least when going to bed remove your makeup with a cleansing cloth or liquid
makeup remover. Next time you’re at the store, pick up some extra cleansing
cloths to also keep in your backpack to use before a workout.

“If you don’t stop making that face, it’s going to freeze
that way.” Most lines and wrinkles that
will form on your face are caused by the repetition of scrunching, stretching
or the squinting your face does. No, it won’t be frozen immediately but over
time could cause you to look older than your age are and possibly damage your eyesight.

The fix: Relax more
often and take breaks from looking at your computer screen all day. Squinting
and taking in the 2D images on your computer for too long can produce a damaging
strain on your eyes. Make sure to wear sunglasses outside as much as possible,
even in these cold winter months when white snow increases the reflection of
sunlight. Lastly, do not read in dim lighting or if a room is too dark.

Next time you’re home, watch your own mother and ask her to
give you advice that she’s learned. Just don’t be surprised if you ask why
you should do something and she responds, “Because I told you so.”

Gina Jensen is a senior majoring in retail and wannabe Carrie Bradshaw. Send fashion faux pas and column ideas to [email protected].