We’ve all been staying at home recently because of social distancing, and this may have affected your skin in negative ways.
Staying indoors can result in skin that is dehydrated, and affected by ultraviolet light from our devices, such as phones, tablets, computer screens and televisions. This means more breakouts, more fine lines and wrinkles, and more uneven patches to the skin.
However, there are things you can do at home to ensure your skin comes out of lockdown looking better than ever!
1) Cleanse: Make sure you use a cleanser morning and evening, to remove dirt and impurities. Cleansing will also ensure the skin is ready for any treatments or serums you may use.
2) Clarify/Exfoliate: Make sure that you use a gentle solution to clarify the skin, remove excess oil and exfoliate the surface layers of dead skin cells. If you prefer to use a firmer exfoliation, you can use an exfoliating face polish containing micro-cellulose, so it is not abrasive on the skin.
3) Treatment serum: Use a serum specific to your skin’s needs, for example, a brightening serum containing Vitamin C, or an anti-ageing serum containing peptides or Vitamin B3.
4) Moisturiser: You should moisturise even if your skin is oily, as this will ensure your skin remains soft and dewy. Ensure the moisturiser contains hydrating and soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate), Vitamin B3 (niacinamide), and aloe.
5) Sunscreen: Use physical sunscreen that contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, as these provide a physical barrier on the skin, protecting it against UVA and UVB rays. These sunscreens are not absorbed into the skin and are safe to use.
6) Retinol: For use in the evening only, after cleansing and moisturising. Ensure your product contains micro-encapsulated retinol, as this is gentler on the skin, and delivers slow release of the product into the skin. Retinol improves cell turnover, and improves skin firmness, strength and elasticity, as well as reducing lines and wrinkles.
7) Eye cream (optional): Use twice a day if required, and ensure you dab the cream or gel gently along the underside of the lower eyelid, and around the sides of the eyes. The eye area is more delicate than the rest of the face, as the skin there is thinner, so take care when applying products. Eye gel, especially those containing retinol, will reduce lines and crow’s feet around the eyes, increase elasticity of the skin, and hydrates the skin.
8) Treatment masks: These can be used once or twice a week, to address specific concerns, such as dehydrated skin, dull and flaky skin, oily and congested skin, or ageing and wrinkled skin.
Once you have established a skincare routine that works for you, keep it up. The results of a good skincare regime can take time to develop, but you must be consistent to maintain the outcome.
Please message me if you want any information on the products, or if you would like to purchase a sample pack to start you on your skincare journey.
