Ways to Take Care of Your Skin During the COVID-19 Lockdown/Quarantine

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, most parts of the world today are on lockdown or quarantine. We need to practice social distancing and stay indoors to prevent the spread of the virus. The sad part is too much time at home or less time outdoors could also damage your skin.

Stressful situations, lack of vitamin D, and changes in your skin care routine are some of the things that can do your skin a disservice. This only makes it important to improve your habits and adopt practices that could take better care of your skin during this time. Below are a few things that can help:

Cleanse your face daily

Although you’re not exposed to pollutants and outdoor elements, you still need to wash your face. Use a cleanser that is suitable for your skin type and use tepid or lukewarm water when washing your face. We are also hoping that you’re not wearing makeup, but if you do, make it a point to remove them before going to bed.

It is important to keep your face clean, but make sure that you’re not over washing. Doing so can strip the skin off essential oils and make your face dry and sensitive. Dryness will then cause the skin to overcompensate by producing more oil. This can block the pores and trigger breakouts. 

Use SPF indoors

Even when you’re staying indoors most of the time, UV rays from the sun can still penetrate through glass. This only means that you’re still at risk for sun damage and premature aging. Wearing SPF at home can offer protection against the harmful effects of the UV rays. This is especially true if you’re exposed to the sun a little longer. 

Do take note, however, that you still need sun exposure, as the lack of it has been associated with seasonal affective disorder and other issues. UV light exposure, moreover, helps our bodies produce vitamin D. You can do this by standing by the window or spending a few minutes in a spot in your house that receives sunlight.

Moisturize your skin

Regular and frequent washing of the hands could lead to skin dryness and irritation. This is why you need to moisturize after washing; apply the product while your skin is still damp. This traps the moisture in instead of letting the lotion or cream completely evaporate. 

Don’t forget to moisturize other parts of the body, including your face. Continue with your daily use of moisturizer or face cream. You can also benefit from using skin care products with hyaluronic acid to boost skin moisture. This ingredient can be found in creams, moisturizers, and sheet masks.

Avoid touching your face

Washing your hands often does not mean that it is okay to touch your face or pick pimples. Keep in mind that you still lay your fingers on a number of dirty objects like phones, keyboards, door handles, and others.  This is why when you touch your face with unwashed hands, you can transfer dirt onto your face and even spread virus.

Touching your face or picking zits can also increase your risk of having acne scars and hyperpigmentation. This can prolong the healing process and make your breakouts worse. You can check out our previous post for tips on avoiding touching your face.

Take breaks from your gadgets

More time (lockdown) at home may also mean extended screen time or gadget use. Unfortunately, electronic devices emit high energy visible (HEV) light, which is associated with oxidative stress. This can damage skin health and contribute to premature aging and dark spots.

There is also the issue of tech neck or the pain and wrinkles on the neck caused by repetitively looking down at a phone. This is why you need to take frequent breaks from using your gadgets. You can limit your screen time by engaging in other habits like playing board games, reading a book, doing puzzles, and others.

Don’t forget to clean your electronic device daily. These include keyboards, headsets, mouse and other related gadgets.

Consider your general health

The additional stress this time (Lockdown) can compromise your skin and cause it to react negatively. This may result in more breakouts, as well as dull and tired-looking skin. This is why you need to manage your stress and focus more on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which includes:

• Getting adequate sleep
• Drinking more water
• Eating more fruits and vegetables
• Exercising most days of the week 
• Trying meditation and other relaxation techniques

Here at Cutis Laser Clinics in Singapore, we want you to have healthy and glowing skin whether on quarantine/lockdown or not. Consider the things mentioned above or explore our website for more tips on taking better care of your skin.