10 Expert Shelter-in-Place Skin Care Techniques
At Home Skin Care While We SIP!
Skin care is something we do both to feel good, and to stay healthy. For most modern professionals, skin care is part of your morning and evening routine. You may exfoliate and moisturize in the morning for that healthy glow as you head to work. You may apply face masks before bed to lock in moisture and cleanse your pores. No doubt, you've put together the right routine to keep your skin healthy during the work-week. But with the lifestyle changes brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, all of our routines are disrupted.
As a result of the shelter-in-place mandate, millions of people are working from home, or staying at home because offices are closed. Skin care routines to support your working life may be completely different. First, it might be difficult to visit your dermatologist for skin care treatments. Second, your skin's daily environment has changed.
We're here to help you keep your skin glowing and healthy while you shelter-in-place. Even if you can't access your usual skin treatment services, or shop for your usual products, your skin can still be healthy for the duration of this global event. Here are our best 10 at-home skin care tips:
1) Skip Makeup
Nowadays, many consider wearing makeup as part of looking professional. However, makeup does challenge your skin health. Even enriched make-up products, such as mineral makeup, can clog your pores and must be washed off each day. Makeup removers, facial soaps, and toners dry your skin and compromise the skin barrier allowing bacteria to penetrate into your skin. If you don't have a video call today, consider skipping makeup, and just using serums and moisturizers. Or, you can skip the cream foundation for a little light powder. A touch of lip and eye color is all you need to look professionally made-up on camera. Remember to wear sunblock daily as UV rays penetrate through windows!
2) Use a Humidifier
Run a humidifier on high for 12 hours a day. This will help hydrate your skin. In addition, it is also a great way to relieve dry, irritated eyes that have been staring at electronic screens and devices all day. Please don’t forget to clean your humidifier to prevent growth of bacteria and fungus.
3) Exfoliate with a Natural Loofah Sponge
The best material to exfoliate with is a natural loofah sponge. These soft-yet-scratchy fibrous plants make wonderful bath sponges or scrubbing mitts that can be used to gently clean your pores and brush away dead skin cells. It is nearly impossible to over-exfoliate with a loofah sponge, so you can have a good scrub without worrying about damaging your skin in the process.
4) Moisturize Twice Daily
Moisturizing is something none of us do often enough. Now we finally have time to moisturize effectively. Moisturize twice a day. Use cream or lotion on your entire body after your morning shower and before you go to bed. For your face, a serum followed by a day cream, or night cream is best. With all the constant hand washing we are all doing to prevent the spread of COV-19, our hands get especially dry. Use an extra thick moisturizer to keep your hands healthy and soft.
5) Stay Hydrated and Eat a Balanced Diet
Your skin health is a reflection of your entire body's health. Treat your body right and your skin will stay healthy as well. Hydration is incredibly important. Try replacing coffee, fruit juice, and soda with glasses of cold, filtered water. It is surprisingly refreshing, costs no calories, and will keep you hydrated.
At the same time, be sure to balance your diet with fruits, vegetables, proteins, and healthy fats like coconut or olive oil. Stay away from refined sugars and non-complex carbohydrates. This balance will help your body process nutrients efficiently and supply those nutrients to your skin as well.
6) Find Ways to Relax
Stress always affects our skin. One of the best things you can do for your skin is to find ways to relax and destress. Practice yoga. Meditate. Read. Journal. Take baths with nourishing oils or epsom salts. Rest. Walk. Breathe.
7) OTC Skin Care Products
OTC stands for Over the Counter. You can order OTC skin care products online, or you can buy them at a drugstore. We recommend using a Vitamin C serum in the daytime, followed by a daily moisturizer with sunblock. At night, it’s best to use a night cream followed by retinol. Add an eye-cream if you have one you like. Invest in a set of OTC chemical peels, and apply once or twice weekly.
8) Make Your Own Masks and Scrubs at Home
If you're handy in the kitchen and have the ingredients, there are many soothing natural recipes that are great for skin. Oatmeal, yogurt, milk, honey, egg whites, avocado, and so many more normal household ingredients can be used to make face masks. Try a DIY face scrub.
9) Engage in Daily Exercise
Exercise is great for your skin. It's also great for your overall health. The best way to exercise for skin health is to really work up a sweat. Sweat actually cleans out your pores while cardio gets your body into gear, pumping blood and nutrients to all of your living cells. When you're done, jump in the shower to rinse off the sweat, and don’t forget to moisturize.
10) Schedule a Tele-dermatology Appointment
Last but not least: Be aware of your options for professional help. If you need prescription acne, rosacea, or eczema medications, don't wait until COVID-19 passes. Tele-dermatology is available. Tele-dermatology is remote dermatology in which a doctor can examine your skin, and listen to your symptoms through video-chat.
This is a great way to help those who truly need skin care advice and even prescriptions while unable to attend an in-person appointment.
Taking good care of your skin during shelter-in-place can be a challenge. Usual appointments and even your favorite products might not be available in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. But that's alright! Your skin doesn't need your routine to stay healthy. All you need is a smart, at-home approach to healthy skin care. Contact us today for more skin care tips, techniques, and products to keep your skin healthy during shelter-in-place.