Adjusting to this temporary normal —that is, staying inside—can be challenging at times but we have the perfect at-home skin care tips to share. Here, we highlight some skin care-related activities you can do at home to keep you occupied and relaxed during this time of social distancing, in addition to some tips on how to take care of your skin when you do need to step outside (and wear a face mask).
Looking for some self care activities to keep you occupied? Not to worry! We’ve compiled a list of things that you can do to not only help yourself, but also your skin! Read on to learn what you can do during this time at home to help you reach your skin goals and attain the results you’ve always wanted!
Discover or Learn More About Your Skin Type.
If you haven’t really taken the time to identify your skin type and skin concerns, and are guilty of applying any skin care product that appears to be “good,” this is a great time and opportunity to do research on your skin and find the products that specifically work for you. This skin type guide is a great starting point to get to know the types of ingredients that work for you to achieve your skin goals. Completely new to the skin care game? We’ve got you covered with another complete guide on how to create a simple, multi-step skin care routine based on your skin type and concerns.
RELATED: How To Keep Your Beauty & Skin Care Regimen Sanitary
Schedule a Skin Concierge Session.
Whether you’re a newbie to the world of skin care or need to reorient your skin care journey, consider scheduling a one-on-one Skin Concierge Session with a Soko Expert. These free, 20 minute text messaging sessions are centered around your skin type and concerns and are based on a short survey regarding your skin type and lifestyle habits. Each session also includes personalized product recommendations.
Hydrate Your Skin Regularly.
Staying inside a heated room all day may deprive the skin of its moisture, which means it’s even more important to not just hydrate your face, but also to hydrate the rest of your body. Designate 5 to 10 minutes daily to apply lotion or body oil, or incorporate it into your daily AM or PM routine. Don’t forget that adding a balm or mask to your lips can do wonders for soothing and hydrating dry lips! The Klavuu Nourishing Care Lip Sleeping Pack is an excellent option to exfoliate and re-introduce moisture. Though this lip mask’s name suggests it should only be used at night, it can also be used as a lip balm throughout the day to ensure your lips are hydrated. To add some moisture to your face, the Erborian Milk & Peel Mask works well to replenish the face’s moisture levels and to transform the skin from a dull to luminous finish. This wash-off mask can also serve as an exfoliator that can be applied once or twice a week to increase dead skin cell turnover.
Try Out a Sheet Mask or Eye Mask.
While getting lost in a good book or binge watching a show you’ve been wanting to catch up on, use that time to help your skin out by applying a sheet mask or eye mask! Masks such as the Leaders AC Clear Treatment Mask help to alleviate redness and irritation while restoring moisture to the skin and smoothing out the skin’s texture. This mask is suitable for all skin types, but especially for acne-prone and sensitive skin types that struggle with acne regularly. Key ingredients such as snail mucin and tea tree leaf oil work in tandem to heal acne scars and reduce the appearance of redness.
Meanwhile, Acropass’ Line Care Patches can help address wrinkle concerns around the eyes. Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, adenosine, and peptides help to plump these target areas by reducing the appearance of wrinkles within two hours. If your under-the-eye concerns are related to puffiness and redness, then the Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Intensive Eye Cream may be for you. This eye cream uses licorice water, licorice extract, and caffeine to combat dark circles, hyperpigmentation, and puffiness, respectively.
If you need to step outside (and wear a face mask)…
For some of us, it’s difficult to stay inside all day – you may need to go for a quick grocery run, or you may even be an essential worker. We’ve recently been receiving questions from our readers about how to take care of your skin before and after wearing a face mask outside. Below, experts weigh in on how to keep your face clean and how to prevent and treat breakouts when using a face mask.
Dermatologist and medical director Dr. Rawn Bosley of Prism Dermatology in Southlake, Texas, advises to wash your face both before and immediately after wearing a mask.
“Washing your face prior to applying and after removing your mask can be beneficial. Washing your skin with a gentle cleanser may address the accumulation of excess oil on the skin along the borders of the mask. It is important to minimize taking the mask on and off of your face as this will reduce your exposure and risk of cross-contamination,” says Dr. Bosley.
In addition to choosing the appropriate products for your skin type, the temperature of water you use to wash your face is important. “You should also be weary about the temperature of the water you’re using. Using hot water to wash your face might feel really nice, but it can actually be damaging to the now already delicate skin on your face. It’s important to use lukewarm water to wash your face instead,” explains physician assistant Erin Jensen, who is also the founder of the California-based skin care clinic, The Treatment Skin Boutique.
Besides washing your face, another precaution you can take to prevent breakouts when wearing a face mask is not wearing makeup.“It’s easy to want to put on makeup, especially if it’s part of your daily routine, but it’s time to maybe shift it up and only apply above eye level. Any potentially irritating or pore-clogging ingredients should be avoided under the mask-covered skin at all costs,” Jensen says.
Resisting the desire to wear makeup is crucial when wearing a mask since the enclosure of the skin fosters a warm, moisture-abundant environment.
“When it comes down to it, wearing a mask does protect your face, but underneath it creates a moist, hot environment for your skin. This can lead to a build up of sweat and oil on the skin under the mask, which can lead to inflammation, rashes, and even acne breakouts,” says Jensen.
Making a conscious effort to wash your face before and after wearing a face mask hopefully can go a long way in keeping your skin healthy and blemish-free.