12 Skincare Tips While Stuck at Home

Staying home is the most effective way to stop the transmission of the new coronavirus. While self-quarantine and isolation can minimize your skin’s exposure to harmful UV rays and pollutants, the drastic change in environment and routine (including diet, activities, and air) can potentially result in dryness, breakouts, and other skin problems.

To rejuvenate your skin and keep skin issues at bay, here are a few easy and natural skincare tips you can follow while you stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic:

1. Moisturize

One of the most common skin problems you might experience during home quarantine is dryness. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends washing your hands frequently to keep them clean and free from harmful viruses. However, this good hygiene practice can result in dry hands. Skin dryness and irritation caused by overwashing of the hands can lead to redness, itching, cracks, and flaking.

Moisturizing your hands regularly with lotion or cream after washing prevents dryness and soothes itching and pain. When applying moisturizer, make sure your hands are still damp to allow the cream to trap the moisture and prevent it from fully evaporating.

For homemade skincare, our tips include the use of olive oil, coconut oil, and honey which contain hydrating humectants and antimicrobial properties. Apply one of these to your hands after washing and cover them with cotton gloves for 15 to 20 minutes every day.

Your hands aren’t the only parts of your body susceptible to dryness while you are stuck at home. The cold blast of air from your air conditioning system can also dry out the skin on other parts of your body, especially your face. To treat facial dryness, use products, like SkinCeuticals, to moisturize and rejuvenate your skin. You can also use sheet masks and creams with hyaluronic acid, which helps promote moisture. However, beauty experts do not recommend using sheet masks more than once per week as it can result in irritation.

2. Use Sunscreen

Just because you’re not outside under direct sunlight does not mean that you are safe from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Apply a broad-spectrum and photostable sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day to protect your skin from sun damage and brown spots. Religious application of sunscreen for at least a year can reverse signs of photoaging.

While improvements to pigmentation and deep lines have not been linked to the sunscreen’s moisturizing component, staying indoors for a prolonged period might also have a positive impact on the reduced signs of photoaging.

However, know that getting the right dose of sunlight every day is also beneficial for your skin health; consult your dermatologist about this issue.

3. Eat Healthy Foods

With most restaurants closed, now is the best time to learn to prepare healthy and nutritious meals. Maintain a balanced diet boosts your immune system and preserve skin health. Incorporate fatty fish, blueberries, seeds, nuts, and berries to your daily diet.

4. Get Your Daily Dose of Vitamin D

Exposing yourself to direct sunlight is a great way to get your daily dose of vitamin D. While UVB rays are harmful, exposure for no more than 30 minutes a day helps stimulate vitamin D production. The best time to do so is early in the morning (before 10 am) and late in the afternoon (after 3 pm)

Take a short walk around your lawn. Sunbathe on your patio or balcony for a few minutes. Open the windows facing the sun.

5. Minimize Using Your Devices

Electronic devices emit blue light, which promotes premature aging and dark spots.

Protect your skin by applying sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 while working at home in front of your computer or next to a window. Switch the light setting of your device to yellow light and add an antioxidant booster into your routine for extra protection.

6. Get Enough Sleep

Getting the recommended 7 to 9 of sleep every night is crucial for your skin health and overall wellness. It allows your body to enter a regenerative state and produce collagen needed to keep your skin healthy. With the changes in your work schedule and the removal of commute time, there is little excuse for you to not get enough sleep.

7. Stay Physically Active

Gyms may be temporarily closed, but you should not use this as an excuse to skip your workout. A sedentary lifestyle can have a negative impact on your skin health. Do not spend all of your time binge-watching your favourite movies or TV shows. Stay active and exercise to stimulate blood flow and oxygen — factors that give the skin its healthy glow.

8. Avoid Touching Your Face

WHO has repeatedly warned against touching the face (specifically the mouth, nose, and eyes) after touching potentially contaminated objects or surfaces. Doing so places people at risk of contracting the coronavirus. Additionally, it can also expose your skin to dirt and bacteria, which can clog your pores.

9. Wash Your Face

Although you are staying indoors, it remains important to wash your face daily. Skin health experts recommend exfoliating your skin up to 3 times a week to prevent the buildup of oil, debris, bacteria, and dead skin, which results in breakouts.

10. Stay Hydrated

Drinking water helps keep your skin softer and more supple. Also, drinking sufficient amounts of water every day reduces the risk of acne breakdown. The European food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends women and men over 13 years old drink 1.6 litres and 2 litres of water per day, respectively.

11. Reduce Stress

WHO calls for the strict implementation of social distancing to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission. However, for some people, this can pose a challenge to their mental health. Social distancing can potentially make a person feel lonely. Mental health issues, such as depression, stress, and anxiety, can cause facial breakouts and premature aging. Taking care of your mental health is among the many skincare tips and tricks to keep your skin healthy and glowing while you stay safe at home.

12. Follow Your Regular Skincare Routine

Although you are stuck at home, make sure to keep up with your daily skincare routine to prevent breakouts and maintain healthy glowing skin.

Giving your skin a break from sun exposure or makeup can make a huge difference to your skin health. It is a good time to double down on your skincare regimen while maintaining your overall wellbeing.

For scientifically proven skincare products and services, book a free, no-obligation consultation with EM Clinic & Spa at (519) 668-7449. We are happy to provide you with medical cosmetic solutions.