Perfect Skincare Guide During Coronavirus Self-Isolation

Skincare Guide During Coronavirus

Although it’s in our best interest, countless days of social distancing, self-isolation and less time outdoors, have taken a serious toll on our skin. It doesn’t matter that you’re not that exposed to pollutants or that’s you’re no longer wearing makeup. Your skin is just not what it used to be before locking yourself inside your home.

If you want to rejuvenate your skin and restore its unique glow, here’s a simple at-home skincare guide to help you make the most of your isolation days and give your skin the treatment it deserves.

First and foremost, just because you’re at home, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t follow your skincare routine anymore. On the contrary, you now have all the time in the world to cater to yourself and your needs.

Here’s what a simple at-home skincare routine looks like:

Step 1: Cleanse. You may not be exposed to the external elements or wear makeup as much, but you still have to wash your face. Avoid soap and use a good skin cleanser that should “properly remove dirt, oil and makeup, without stripping the skin of natural moisture,” says Dr. Deirdre Hooper, Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Dermatology at Louisiana State University.

I like this non-irritating formula and use a FOREO to enhance results.

Step 2: Toner. Now that your skin is all cleaned and fresh, apply a toner that is meant to nourish and replenish the skin after cleansing. Use an alcohol-free product such as this one, apply it on cotton rounds and massage it into your skin. Don’t forget your neck and chest!

Step 3: Serum. Using serum after cleansing and before moisturizing, is your way of delivering a high concentration of active ingredients to your skin. I use this serum for its powerful retinol and hyaluronic anti-aging effects or this paraben-free product which is the equivalent of getting a facial.

Step 4: Eye cream. I used to disregard this step, especially since some aestheticians said it’s not a must, but ever since I started using this cream, I’ve never skipped a day. It’s not even expensive!

Step 5: Moisturize, moisturize and… moisturize again.  The universal consensus among skin experts is that our skin needs constant moisturizer to be healthy and glowing, but even more so now with all the excessive hand washing that’s been going on. You can still use your favorite lotion (I personally like this one a lot) or head to the pantry in search of some olive or coconut oil. Both include hydrating humectants and have antimicrobial properties that help the skin’s immune system.

You can also apply olive oil on your hands and feet and cover them with gloves and socks for 15 minutes. The results will leave you speechless!

If you’re on a tight budget, you can use ingredients from your quarantine stock for DIY treatments. You’ve already paid for them so why not make the most of what you have. Say goodbye to expensive skincare and anti-aging products with these skin-friendly foods and eat your way to a facelift!

For example, if you want to make a DIY anti-aging mask, many skin experts recommend using yogurt and honey. You’ll need two tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt and one tablespoon of raw honey. Mix them together in a bowl and apply the jelly-like substance on your face. Let it dry for 10-12 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water.

To start your day fresh and rejuvenate your skin, you can make a body scrub of sugar, coffee, and oil (coconut or olive). Blend ½ cup of brown sugar with a little bit of oil and brewed coffee grounds and apply the abrasive mix all over your body before taking a shower.

Change the way you’re showering

Speaking of showers, I know we all love taking long, hot showers and relaxing under the steam but these are not doing your skin any favors. On the contrary, hot showers affect the epidermis, the skin’s outermost layer, increasing the risk of infection and allergies.

So, stick to shorter, lukewarm showers and use deep-hydrating body lotions or oil which include ingredients such as calendula, shea butter, sunflower seed or almond oil.

Take care of yourself

Apart from outside factors such as the added stress most of us are experiencing right now because of the coronavirus situation, your skin is also a reflection of your health or lack thereof. To maintain yourself in a healthy condition, make sure you get enough sleep during the night and stay hydrated throughout the day. More than that, consume fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin D and antioxidants, including blueberries, and kale.