Life as we know it has changed. We might be makeup- and bra-free, living the quarantine life, but skin problems happen. Sure, there are worse (far worse) things in the world. But let’s concentrate on what we can handle.
Breakouts
Even though you are cooped up inside, breakouts still happen. Stress, uncertainty, all of these affect our well-being and our skin. Other factors that might contribute to breakouts include irregular sleeping patterns, less than a healthy diet, lack of movement. First of all – do not (we repeat DO NOT) be hard on yourself. There is plenty to be going on with, you don’t need to beat yourself about any of these things. It is what it is, we are all just coping the best we can under the circumstances.
How can you fix breakouts? Cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser that treats breakouts, but won’t strip the skin. Now is not the time to reach for harsh acne washes and risk drying your skin even further (but we’ll get to that in a bit). Spot treat or use a product with Salicylic acid to help breakouts calm down faster (apply all over or use as a spot treatment, you are the best judge on what works best for your skin). And don’t forget to moisturise.
Dryness and dehydration
When we spend most of our time indoors and in central heating, our skin will get dry and/or dehydrated. The key is light, hydrating layers to keep your skin comfortable. Likewise, don’t forget to switch to a bland, gentle cleanser as you don’t want to strip the skin of its natural oils. You can use a facial mist during the day. In the evenings, go in with the hydrating layers, but also try a facial oil.
Before we apply a mask, we layer a hydrating toner or essence to keep the skin soft and supple.
Products with ceramides, sterols, and urea are always a good bet as they work to repair the moisture barrier (try our Multi-Ceramide Concentrate or Skinbiotica Daily Defence if your moisture barrier is compromised).
If you require the big guns for those stubborn dry patches, a soothing balm does the trick. La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Repairing balm is a favourite with skincare lovers for a good reason – it works.
Sore hands
These days we are constantly washing our hands. Add to that alcohol hand sanitizers, general washing up and disinfecting the surfaces, most of us are dealing with sore hands. What makes the matters worse is when our hands are dry and chapped (in other words the barrier is disrupted), it makes us even more prone to infection.
Since it is imperative we continue to wash our hands, we need to get into the habit of applying hand cream. Yes, it can be a pain to remember but needs musts. For an intensive hand treatment, apply a thick layer of nourishing hand cream or plain old Vaseline in the evening before going to bed. If you have cotton gloves, even better.
Clean with the rubber gloves on (easier said than done, we tend to remember halfway through) and switch to gentler dishwashing liquid and soap.
Dull skin
Being indoors most of the time makes all of us look a bit grey. It is a combination of things (sleep, diet, dehydration, to name a few). Apart from keeping the skin hydrated and remembering to drink your water, stick to a regular skincare routine and exfoliate. When we say, exfoliate, we wouldn’t go crazy with at-home peels. A leave-on treatment or an exfoliating toner a couple of times per week should do.
Sunscreen – yes or no?
Many would argue sunscreen isn’t necessary since we are spending most of our time indoors. We’d beg to disagree. Namely, because we have to take our dogs out for a walk. In our case, sunscreen is mandatory. Likewise, if you plan to potter around the garden, or sit outside, you need some sun protection. Also, take into account which way your home is facing. If it is south, chances are you will be getting plenty of sun during the day.
