Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of time spent at home is increasing. Ergo, our bodies are now adapting and conforming to a new routine. That being the case, it can be super easy to let out day-to-day habits slip.
Say, for instance, you might choose not to put on some makeup during self-isolation. However, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do your entire beauty regime. Take note that your skin may have a difficult time adjusting to what’s happening and flip out come hell or high water.
Now that you have some extra time, perhaps you can learn a few hacks to keep your skin glowing and healthy amid the pandemic. For a bit of help, below are several ways to take better care of your skin during quarantine. Check them out!
Moisturize Your Hands
During this pandemic, washing our hands is the number one preventive measure against the virus. It goes without saying that we must wash our hands as frequently as before.
The problem is that you might have to deal with dry hands as a result of washing them more often. Additionally, the dryness will not only affect your hands but the skin on your face too. According to Dr. Joshua Zeichner, over-washing your hands can break the outer skin layer, with irritation and dryness.
The good news is that you can deal with dryness easily. All you need to do is to use a moisturizer on your hands after washing. It’s crucial to apply moisturizer when your hands are slightly wet and damp, according to Dr. Kathleen Suozzi.
The moisturizer runs to the ground in that damp instead of letting it evaporate. What’s more, you can boost the effectiveness of a cream or lotion by sealing it in with cotton gloves. It will undoubtedly help.
Moreover, the skin on your face may dry up during quarantine, as well. Since it is still cold outside in some areas, you’ll probably turn on the artificial heat at home, which can cause skin dryness.
On Facing Skin Dryness
For combating skin dryness on your face, use products with HA or hyaluronic acid in them. It is a substance that’s naturally found in the human body. Another thing, HA is known to stimulate moisture.
You can find creams and sheet masks with HA in them. However, due to lockdowns and restrictions, it may be difficult to buy your skincare supplies. Fortunately, you can create your own skincare with things you can usually find in your kitchen.
For example, use coconut oil to help with blocked pores and eczema. You can also use castor oil, which is an excellent source of ricinoleic, triglycerides, and other acids. For dry hair and scalp, use olive oil. Massage your scalp with some olive oil and sleep on it. You’ll see a good result when you wake up.
Sleep Is Important
For your overall health and thriving life, make sure to get enough sleep. Healthy sleeping behavior includes the following:
- Waking up alert and feeling fresh
- Having uninterrupted sleep
- Regularly sleeping for at least 9 hours
- Falling asleep easily
Keep in mind that if you don’t sleep enough, your body will discharge more stress hormones called cortisol that can cause psoriasis or acne. Not getting enough sleep can lead to aging skin as well.
The skin of sleep-deprived people usually does not retain enough water, which can result in a weak skin barrier. Since sleep aids the body to recuperate itself, people who’ve slept well have at least thirty percent better skin barrier regeneration than people who’ve slept badly.
Getting more sleep should be done in stages. You can start by setting your bedtime fifteen minutes earlier for several days and move up the time by another fifteen minutes. What’s more, make sure your sleep environment is noise-free, dark, and cool.
It takes practice to find a great sleep routine, just like a skincare routine. But with perseverance, you will undoubtedly find what works for you.
SPF Routine
A lot of people think that they can skip their SPF routine since they are not going outside. Well, it’s a big lie. Even if you are not leaving your house, the sun’s rays can affect you indoors. Keep in mind that being inside the house does not automatically mean that you’re in the clear for wearing sunscreen.
The truth is that UVA light can pass through window glass. Meaning you’re still at risk for skin cancers and premature aging. With that said, when you’re indoors, make sure to use a mineral-based SPF product to shield yourself from the adverse repercussions of the sun.
Still, our bodies need exposure to sunlight but in minimal amounts to synthesize vitamin D levels. As such, if you’re going to loom right by the window, ensure that you’re properly protected.
In addition, to boost your vitamin D levels, consider taking supplements. But be sure to talk to your physician or health specialist before taking any supplement.
Keep Your Hands Away From Your Face
The easiest way to disseminate the COVID-19 virus is by touching your face with unclean hands. Even so, that is not the only reason why you should try your very best not to touch your face.
This hard and trying environment can lead to acne breakouts. It’s normal. However, try to keep your hands away from your face because it can lead to further inflammation and scarring.
Of course, there is no tried and tested way to end your face-touching manner. But there are little steps that you can do:
- Wear electronic bracelets
- Use a stress ball
- Keep your hands in your pockets
- Limit the use of contact lenses
Don’t Smoke
Remember that smoking contributes to wrinkles and can make your skin look older. It restricts the small blood vessels in the outer skin layer, thus, making your skin paler and decreasing blood flow.
What’s more, smoking drains the skin of nutrients and oxygen that are vital to overall skin health. Also, smoking damages elastin and collagen. These fibers give your skin elasticity and strength.
Also think of the undiversified facial expressions you usually make when smoking, like squinting your eyes or pursing your lips, can cause wrinkles. So, if you smoke, quit now. It’s the most excellent way to protect your skin.
Keep It Gentle
Remember to treat your skin lightly and smoothly. Take note that daily shaving and cleansing can take a lot of stress on your skin. Here are steps to treat your skin gently:
- Limit your shower time and use warm water.
- Use mild cleansers
- Shave carefully. Use gel, lotion, or shaving cream before shaving.
- Pat your skin dry with a towel in such a way that moisture stays on your skin.
- Use a moisturizer with SPF in them.
- Do a DermaQuip skin analysis.
A Healthy Diet
To feel and look your best, eat a healthy diet. Make sure to eat lots of lean proteins, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. According to some research, a diet low in processed carbohydrates and unhealthy fats but rich in fish oil may foster younger-looking skin.
To keep your skin hydrated, make sure to drink 8-9 glasses of water. Health is, especially now with the COVID-19 pandemic still going on. paramount
Work Out
So that you can keep your skin healthy, clear, and reduce stress, work out routinely. By doing so, it’ll help your body to gnaw away cortisone. But keep in mind to take a bath after working out. Wash your face immediately. Do not sit around and play games on your phone in your sweat.
Regular exercise improves blood circulation and gets the heart rate up. Thus, delivering nutrients and oxygen to the skin, keeping the skin healthy. Also, it promotes new skin cells and collagen production, which is helpful for anti-aging and keeps the skin looking healthy.
If you plan to work out outdoors, make sure to apply sunscreen to protect your skin, no matter the weather forecast or time of day. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and ensure to apply it every two hours. Sweating while working out can aid in clearing out your pores, as well.
Takeaway
Keep in mind to never go too far or do any extreme measures with your skincare routine. Now that you have lots of time, prepare yourself with a developmental skincare routine. Make sure to use exfoliators, peels, and skin masks with caution.
For your information, all of that peeling and exfoliating impacts the acid mantle of your skin. Take note that you have bad bacteria and good bacteria. Of course, you don’t want to scrap or trash all your good stuff. Thus, if you go way beyond with your skincare routine, it could probably lead to various skin problems, which you don’t want.
Another tip for healthy, glowing skin is to not use your devices during the night because it could endanger your skin. Electronic devices emit blue light, which has been shown to have adverse and negative impacts on your skin, such as dark spots and premature aging. Also, the physical act of staring down at your device could cause pain to you as well.