So, we’ve been in lockdown for … I don’t want to count how many weeks now…
During lockdown, we’ve all felt varying degrees of stress, we’ve been wearing masks, we’ve been out of our normal routine and, many of us have increased our consumption of alcohol (raise your glass and say, “I”! ). As a result, many of us have experienced changes to our skin. The two most common changes have been:
- Stress / hormonally induced acne
- Dull and lacklustre skin
So, how can you combat these undesirable ‘lockdown skin’ issues?
- Stress / hormonally induced acne
If you have breakouts, but your skin isn’t typically oily, you might have hormonally-induced acne. Hormonal acne is usually located around the chin and jawline and tends to flare up on a monthly cycle. It is often triggered by stress.
– If you have hormonal breakouts and dry skin, do not be tempted to overdo it with harsh cleansers, scrubs and products formulated for oily/acne skin. These products will strip your skin, resulting in an impaired skin barrier – leaving your skin more open to redness, sensitivity and breakouts.
– If you’re currently on a basic skincare routine, correctly prescribed homecare is likely to provide a significant improvement. Also, in-clinic treatments (once lockdown is over) will help you to see results sooner. We recommend a personalised consultation with a qualified skin clinician. Every skin is different, so a professional recommendation is always safer and usually more effective than doing your own research online, or following a friend’s recommendation
– Look at ways to reduce inflammation in your body. Consider your sleep and stress levels. Try to find ways to get a good night’s shut-eye. Reduce stress through meditation, massage, going on a walk or having a digital detox for a day. Consider your diet. Consume more alkaline foods and reduce your intake of acid-forming foods.
– We know that when you’re breaking out, it’s tempting to cover your blemishes with makeup. However maybe your makeup is exacerbating your breakouts – we recommend using a pure mineral make up, as it won’t clog your pores
– Consider working with a naturopath or endocrinologist to get to the root your hormonal imbalance and to improve your resilience against daily life stresses.
2. Dull and lackluster skin
For many of us, a change in our usual patterns means that our skin might be missing its usual glow. Some of you might even have experienced skin irritation/redness from mask-wearing. So, how do we get our glow back?
– Remove those dead, lacklustre skin cells through exfoliation. Exfoliation will make your skin look brighter and enhance the penetration of your serums/moisturizer. Every skin is different, so it’s important to use an exfoliator that is appropriate for your skin type. I have a preference for enzymatic or alpha-hydroxy acid based exfoliators, rather than granular face scrubs, which can be irritating. Please note, if your skin is irritated or sensitive, exfoliation might not be appropriate and you need to focus on strengthening your skin first.
– Hydrate! If possible, reduce your intake of alcohol and caffeine – moderation is key. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Use a hydrating face serum – I recommend serums containing hyaluronic acid and niacinamide for dehydrated skin types.
– Use a protective moisturizer and/or mask which will comfort, protect and add moisture back into your skin.
– A healthy, balanced diet that is high in antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids will help your skin to glow from the inside out. Take a fish oil supplement – this will assist in strengthening your skin, as it helps to protect the skin’s barrier, and improves moisture and elasticity.
– As mentioned above, correctly prescribed homecare and in-clinic treatments will also assist.
So, there you have it! If you’re in need of personalised skin advice, please contact us and we’d be happy to chat!
