Most of us are taking a much more rigorous hygiene routine during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when it comes to washing hands. Also, we all need to wear masks every day when going out, some even eight to ten hours a day. All this mask humidity and harsh soap can leave your skin looking less than ideal. So what can you do to provide your skin with plenty of TLC during the pandemic? Here are some easy skincare tips:
Be kind to your hands
It seems that our hand skin takes the most beating due to the coronavirus because of constant washing and sanitizing. To go easy on your hands, use lukewarm water to wash your hands mixed with gentle natural soap. Hot water won’t provide you with better virus protection, but it will increase skin damage.
Next, try to get the right cleanser for your hands. Avoid antibacterial cleansers since they aren’t all that useful in preventing infections. Plus, they also contain various fragrances and other chemicals that can increase skin irritation.
Moisturize as much as you can
After you wash your hands in lukewarm water and soap, rinse gently and dry with a patting motion. Don’t hesitate to apply plenty of moisturizer right after (best keep a bottle next to your sink). This will provide your hand with a protective barrier from elements and give back some of the lost moisture to your skin.
Adopt a good facial skincare routine
Many of our essential workers hitting offices and other workplaces during the pandemic (healthcare staff, grocery store clerks, retail store workers, servers, fast-food cooks, etc.) need to go through their entire shift wearing a mask. The experts recommend that everyone wears a mask in public to prevent the infection from spreading from person to person. While recommended, masks can leave a serious impact on one’s facial skin. To prevent any issues from popping up, cleanse and moisturize your face regularly, especially after using a mask for a prolonged period of time.
When choosing skincare products, opt for something natural without petrolatum. This product can reduce the functionality of a face mask (especially the N95 model that healthcare workers use). If your skin is naturally oilier, choose a water-soluble moisturizer.
Have regular facials
In order to keep your face looking fresh and your pores unclogged, you need to perform regular facials. Even if the salons are closed in your country or state, you can still perform these treatments at home.
Most facials follow a pattern of cleansing, exfoliating, steaming, extracting, masking, treating, moisturizing, and massaging. Here’s what you need for a quick facial at home: remove makeup, cleanse to remove various types of grime, exfoliate to remove dead cells, put a mask to treat dehydration, dullness and breakouts, and tone your skin with a calming toner. For other steps, follow this clear guide to at-home facials and you’ll feel completely rejuvenated. Your skin will go through a complete system reboot!
Protect most vulnerable areas
Those who need to wear a mask for a prolonged period of time know that it can cause blisters and other injuries to the skin. To prevent or relieve friction and pressure injuries from a mask, apply a thin layer of zinc oxide to the skin to soothe it and provide protection. Zinc oxide, also often used for diaper rash or chapped skin, should be applied in places like the bridge of the nose or behind the ears. If that doesn’t help, always have a pack of bandages in your bag so you can apply them between the skin and the mask.
You probably have enough things to worry about during the pandemic, but you don’t need to worry about your skin. With these few easy tips, your skin will feel fresh, clean and glowing even after a shift in a face mask and gloves.
