The coronavirus has resulted in lockdown in most areas and a lot of people are now working from home. Staying indoors is one of the best ways to combat the spread of the Covid-19. Finally, your skin can take a vacation from the whole process of applying and removing makeup.
However, most of us have gotten busy at home or too lazy to follow up with our skincare routine. This period is also characterized by more stress, less exercising, and more comfort eating, all of which can negatively affect our skin.
According to a skin specialist in jb, it is not okay to ignore your skincare routine and throw it out of the window just because you are not going anywhere. Not washing your face in the morning and at night leads to dirt, oil, and sweat accumulation that can clog the pores.
Consequently, this leads to uneven skin texture and a dull and dehydrated skin appearance. Fortunately, it is possible to achieve a minimal skincare routine that will keep your skin clean and nourished even in the comfort of your home.
Tips for at Home Skincare Routine
- Maintain a Regular Skincare Routine
It is not surprising that many of us have ditched our skin and hair care routines as we get comfortable at home. However, aestheticians discourage this and advocate for consistency to keep your skin on track.
Of course, this does not mean that you are on top of your beauty game with a detailed 10-step Korean skincare routine. You can care for your skin and maintain its natural shine with just a basic skincare routine. Stick to a minimal morning and evening routine and use the four most basic products; cleanser, exfoliant, moisturizer, sunscreen.
These three items will help keep your skin clean, hydrated, exfoliated, and protected from elements that can cause damage. Here are tips for practicing at home self-care each morning and evening.
Cleansing your face twice a day, even if you have not used makeup, is still key. Use a refreshing and gentle cleansing gel to get rid of any excess dirt or oil. Make sure that the cleanser is gentle and doesn’t dry out the skin or rip off its natural properties.
This is especially important if you have sensitive skin. In this case, you can choose a cream cleanser since it works best with all skin types. Do this every morning and night. If you are wearing makeup, double or triple cleansing will work best.
Washing your face is good but exfoliating will do you better. Exfoliating helps to rejuvenate skin cells and will leave your skin feeling great. A pro tip is to exfoliate your skin once or twice a week.
This will prevent clogged pores, which can lead to breakouts. Besides, you can make your own natural exfoliant at home. All you need is coffee grinds, honey, and olive oil.
This is another important step that you should not omit in your self-care regimen. After cleansing your skin, use a moisturizing cream to hydrate your skin and achieve a radiant youthful glow.
Moisturizing your skin is crucial even if you are spending more time indoors since your skin loses water during the day. Also, your hands are prone to drying out since we are encouraged to wash them regularly.
Therefore, skipping this step will give you a dehydrated appearance. Other than moisturizing your face, also moisturize your hands particularly when they are still wet.
When choosing a moisturizer, make sure that it contains Vitamin C to help enhance cell regeneration and protect you’re your skin from free radicals. Experts also recommend buying a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid since it promotes moisture. Also, don’t forget to hydrate your skin will a lot of water.
It is only natural to wonder whether you need to use sunscreen considering you don’t go out as much. Your skin is susceptible to harmful sunrays one way or another, which can lead to premature aging and skin cancers.
You can be exposed to harmful UV rays when you sit near your window, balcony, exercise outdoors, pop out to the market, or work in the garden. Therefore, it is important to incorporate SPF into your routine in the morning to shield your skin from UV rays.
Besides, wearing SPF helps you to safely get sun exposure to boost your vitamin D levels. Our bodies also need minimal sun exposure to prevent seasonal affective disorder. This is why sunscreen is a must.
Makeup tools like brushes and sponges can accumulate dirt over time and harbor bacteria. Working from home means that you may limit makeup to when you want to make FaceTime and Zoom appearances. Nonetheless, it is still important to keep your kits and tools clean to get rid of any makeup residue.
To do this, put shampoo or mild soap in a small dish and swish your brush heads after dampening with water. Then rinse with warm water and let them hang over the sink to dry.
Take advantage of this time to enjoy some beauty sleep to prevent dark circles. Not getting enough sleep lowers blood flow to your skin and this can dull the appearance of your skin. So go ahead and catch up on your sleep.
- Clean Your Glasses and Phone Regularly
One measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus and is to sanitize your glasses and phone more regularly. This is also important for your skin because these high-touch items can attract germs and bacteria throughout the day. You can use disinfecting wipes to clean them.
Do I Need to Use Face Mask?
An emerging trend during this time of the pandemic is the use of sheets and face masks. Masks contain potent, active ingredients that will give your skin a boost and address specific issues like dryness. Plus, they are a luxurious treat and a good way to pamper yourself in the comfort of your home.
A good tip is to use masks after exfoliating your skin. Also, you can use these treatments once or thrice a week, depending on what you want to address. However, it is best to avoid overindulgence, no matter how good it feels, as this can result in serious skin issues like irritation.
Acne Breakout During Isolation
Have you noticed increased breakouts on your skin than usual? Well, this could be attributed to stress. Uncertainties that come with the pandemic can leave you stressed out and this increases the cortisol levels. Consequently, this can lead to acne.
If you notice breakouts on your skin, it is best to have a regular skin care regimen. Some of the best ways to prevent acne and during this time include:
When exfoliating, it is advisable to choose a face wash that has salicylic acid. This acid not only exfoliates the skin but also eliminates oil and unclogs pores. Another alternative for exfoliating the skin is a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide.
This cleanser can exfoliate the skin and get rid of bacteria on your skin since benzoyl peroxide is an antimicrobial. However, the cleanser should be used as a last resort since benzoyl peroxide is drying.
- Use Lotion with Sunscreen
Although you are spending most of the time at home, you are still likely to be exposed to harmful UV sun rays. Sunscreen will not only protect your skin from sun damage but also works wonders to prevent post-acne marks from darkening. It is also essential, especially if you are using acne products that contain retinoid or benzoyl peroxide, which causes your skin to be more sensitive to the sun.
If you want to prevent an acne breakout, consider using a topical medication that has the adapalene ingredient. Adapalene is basically a retinoid that enhances skin cell turnover and can help prevent breakouts.
It also works to even the skin tone, make the skin texture firm, refine pores, minimize wrinkles and fine lines and alleviates post-acne marks. Although this product works wonders, it is important to note that it can be irritating. Hence, it is recommendable to start with a small amount and increase gradually as you get comfortable with it.
As aforementioned, moisturizer is very important at this time. When the skin is stripped of its oil, the brain will send a signal to trigger more sebum production.
Ways to Avoid Making Acne Worse
Stress is almost inevitable during this time. If you are already dealing with acne, there are several things you can do to prevent making it worse. They include:
- Always Keep Your Skin Moisturized
The importance of keeping your skin moisturized cannot be stressed enough. When your skin is dry it will be forced to increase sebum production and this will only make the breakout worse.
As much as you are sticking to a skincare routine, don’t forget the simple things that could make the difference. Make sure that you eat a healthy diet and drink more water. Try to minimize caffeine and wine as much as possible as these can have dehydrating effects on your skin.
Other than promoting the spread of coronavirus, touching your face can make acne breakouts worse and even cause inflammation. Popping the pimple can leave marks and deteriorate the problem area. Resist the temptation to pick your face and allow the breakouts to dry out naturally.
Is it Okay to Make a Facial Appointment?
If you have damaged skin, it is important to see a skin specialist in jb right away to prevent more serious issues. However, most spas are closed following the government rules and regulations on Covid-19.
Nonetheless, you can still find a dermatologist johor bahru or aesthetician who still accepts in-person appointments with their clients. Due to the nature of their work, it is almost impossible for dermatologists and aestheticians to observe the social distance. Therefore, it may be best not to make an in-person facial appointment.
Instead, you can opt for virtual appointments to allow your dermatologists to access your situation and determine the most suitable skincare regime for you. Besides, most dermatologists, facialists, and other professionals are offering virtual consultation to help their clients improve their skincare routine.
During virtual consultations with a aesthetic clinic jb, the professional will inquire about your lifestyle, diet, the environment that you live in, the products you are using, your current skincare routine, and your skin issues. From this, they can give their expertise and give you recommendations of the best products for your skin.
Do Surgical Masks Affect My Skin?
An emerging skincare trend is getting breakouts due to wearing surgical face masks. Popularly known as ‘Maskne’, breakout around the mouth is becoming more common as people seek to observe the regulations of wearing a mask in public. This is especially true for people who wear these masks for an extended period of time.
This is mostly caused by heat and humidity within the mask, which creates a thriving environment for bacteria. This can also cause irritation that may lead to perioral dermatitis.
If you are experiencing these issues, it is advisable to wear lightweight and breathable masks made of cotton. You are also advised to substitute harsh products for mild products that are designed for sensitive skin. Use a cleanser with low PH and avoid serum or oil-based skincare products.
Also, keep away from retinoid products if your notice irritation or breakout and have a salicylic acid at hand should a breakout occur.
Conclusion
Now is a great time to take care of your skin and give it the attention it needs. We highly suggest that you stick to your skincare regime as long as you can. You are guaranteed to get the best results even if you choose to go minimal.
Also, choose a skin clinic in Johor Bahru where you can talk to a specialist who will address your needs. While changes may not overnight, you will thank yourself for taking care of your skin in this pandemic.
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