I don’t know about you but if I hear “the new normal” one more time, I’m going to scream! This is probably because it’s true, it’s kind of scary, and I hate change when it’s thrust upon me!
Over the past several months, we have all been forced to stay home as much as possible and to wear gloves and masks when we need to venture out. Although most of us are not health care workers, we are still experiencing skin problems like acne, dryness, and irritation due to many factors. Here Siperstein Dermatology discusses various ways you can keep healthy, beautiful skin during a pandemic.
Cortisol & Its Effect On Your Skin
The stress of being out of work, fear of contacting the virus, being quarantined (even with people you love), and worrying about money, can lead us to increased Cortisol levels.
Cortisol is a hormone that is released as a response to stress and it can wreak havoc on our skin. It can increase oil production, clogging the pores, causing inflammation and acne. Cortisol can also aggravate Rosacea (again, inflammation) and break down collagen causing your skin to age at a faster rate.
What Can We Do About Elevated Stress & The Impact It Has On Our Skin?
How do we combat looking (and feeling) terrible during this stressful time in history? Right now, our skin looks worse and we find ourselves looking at it more because we are stuck at home where there are mirrors!
First of all, cut yourself, and your skin, a break. A break from wearing makeup (if possible), and decrease or avoid using abrasive cleansers, peels, and Retinol products. Any products that are abrasive or irritating can cause it to be more vulnerable to dehydration, inflammation and acne. Wearing a mask on top of this compromised skin can lead to issues. When our skin is at its most vulnerable, we want to baby it a little; care for it in a gentler way.
Less-Invasive Facial Cleaning Products
To begin with, I always recommend a Clarisonic cleansing brush because it cleanses much more effectively and gently. If you don’t have one and don’t want to buy it from us online, (it’s $99 dollars and my holy grail device!) at least use our manual cleansing brush ($16) from Tweezerman. We recommend this because just using our hands to cleanse is not as effective, and a washcloth can attract bacteria. Both of these brushes are anti-microbial.
Vitamin C
We recommend following with an antioxidant like a vitamin C product. Vitamin C is great for combating environmental stress factors affecting our skin. Our Brightening Vitamin C serum is silky and hydrating and great for normal to dry skin. Our Vita CE with Ferulic Acid is recommended for our acne prone and oily skin patients.
Hyaluronic Acid
An effective moisturizer is extremely important when skin is stressed, irritated and dehydrated due to lack of activity, improper skin care, and poor eating habits that can all come as a result of being stuck indoors. Moisturizers come in many forms, from serums to ointments and your personal skin type should decide your choice.
If you have oily skin or acne our hyaluronic (HA) serum is excellent. Hyaluronic acid draws water toward itself and keeps skin hydrated for hours! The key with this product is to use a very small amount for your entire face. Our Restorative Cream is my favorite for normal to dry skin; it is gentle and super effective at combating dryness and making your skin look and feel dewy. We have a broad range to choose from so that you can find what feels best and what is most beneficial.
Sunscreen
Of course, the last and most important step is sunscreen; yes, even during quarantine!
In Florida, we are inside near windows, or going outside for short periods of time to maintain our sanity. A sunscreen with zinc is highly effective and important no matter what we are going through or where we are going. Choosing a sunscreen with zinc is the ultimate way to protect your skin from the sun and many of our formulations have hydrating and anti-aging ingredients.
Like our moisturizers, you can find the most effective product with the “look” and “feel” that works best for you!
Healthy, Beautiful Skin At Siperstein Dermatology
As a final note, if you are experiencing any rashes, peeling, or open skin due to wearing a mask for extended periods of time, please come to our office to see one of our Dermatologists. We will find a solution and get your skin healthy and beautiful again! Our offices are now open for facials and laser treatments as well as Botox and fillers.
We hope this article finds you healthy and happy, and we can’t wait to see you at Siperstein Dermatology! Contact us today at 561-955-8885 to get back to loving the skin you’re in.
