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Here are some ways to change your regime and keep your skin healthy while in self-isolation. Yes, it all begins with washing your hands for 20 seconds…
We are well aware that staying home, and distancing yourself from practically everyone, is the best way to combat the spread of coronavirus or COVID-19. However, after remaining indoors for extended periods of time, you might be wondering why your skin isn’t as healthy and glowing as it should be. Well, chances are that like your lifestyle, your beauty and skin care routine needs a switch up too.
The corona virus has pushed everyone into self-isolation, leaving women without their regular and essential salon services. And having no access to salons or dermatologists, what do they do when they’re stuck at home with pressing beauty questions?
Instep gives you a lowdown on how to take care of your skin, hair and nails when you don’t have access to professional care...
You’ve probably been dealing with dry hands as a result of washing them more frequently. Over-washing your hands can lead to disruption of the outer skin layer, resulting in dryness and irritation. The key is to moisturize your hands regularly after washing. Experts suggest applying a good quality moisturizer when hands are still damp. The cream holds in the moisture and doesn’t let it fully evaporate. To replenish your skin, you can also use some at-home staples like olive or coconut oil, or even honey though that may become a sticky situation! Apart from your hands, your face might also get dry while you’re indoors, especially if you’re confined to air conditioning. To keep your skin hydrated use creams or lotions containing hyaluronic acid. You can also opt for sheet masks with hyaluronic acid - make sure to use it just once a week, as overuse can lead to irritation.
If you’re thinking you can skip your sunblock just because you aren’t going out in the sun, well turns out that staying inside doesn’t mean that you are off the hook. Wearing a sunscreen even when you are home is essential as UVA rays can penetrate right through the windows, which means you are still at risk for premature ageing. Make sure to apply a mineral-based SPF product to protect yourself.
As the coronavirus continues to spread, several medical officials across the world have warned people to ensure cleanliness. When applying products to the face, make sure you wash your hands before you start. Stick to a simple skin-care routine of protection in the morning and repair in the evening. Gentle skin cleansers, followed by an antioxidant serum and sunscreen, is a great routine in the morning and in the evening after cleansing, apply a moisturizer followed by a collagen-stimulating ingredient like retinol.
Hair experts recommend washing our hair just once or twice a week while we’re social distancing. If you dye your hair on a regular basis and want to make your hair colour last longer, it is advised to go for hair masks and treatments. They instantly restore softness and smoothness to hair while refreshing the colour. Moreover, use sulfate-free and paraben-free shampoo and conditioner. Washing less frequently and eliminating use of heating hair tools like flat irons and curling tongs will help your hair colour last longer too.
Want to get rid of your gel manicure at home? If your gel nail polish is starting to grow out, don’t peel it off by hand as it can damage your natural nails. Expert manicurists recommend using a nail buffer to buff the visible line between the gel polish and your natural nail. This will flatten things out a bit and make the grow-out zone less visible. Apply a coat or two of regular nail polish and a top coat over your gels and viola you are all done.
The added stress that we all are experiencing right now can cause our skin to react and change in unexpected ways. Factors like dehydration, increased caffeine intake, lack of vitamin D, and changes in nutrition and sleep patterns can affect what happens to our skin, and change our immune system’s ability to regulate and detoxify. According to experts, to help rejuvenate your skin it is imperative to get adequate sleep and drink more water. To boost your immune system it’s beneficial to consume fruits and veggies that are rich in vitamin D and antioxidants.
