So, here’s the predicament: we know that sun exposure and air pollution are not good for our skin. That’s why we need sunblock and cleansers to protect our skin from the sun’s harsh rays, as well as from pollutants, toxins, and allergens in the air. When we learned that we have to stay in our homes because of the coronavirus pandemic, we all thought it would benefit our skin. After all, our skin is finally free from all the harsh radicals of the outside world.
But alas, more than a year into the pandemic, you’re faced with a reality: staying indoors is far worse for your skin than spending time outdoors. Somehow, the sun that you’ve been avoiding is what your skin needs right now. The stress of being cooped up indoors for more than a year also affects your skin’s health.
Low Humidity Indoors
Your skin needs a humidity of at least 60%, which you get by going outdoors. Staying indoors means that your skin is subjected to low humidity. This leads to dry skin, so you will notice your skin might get reddish and itchy, too. The solution is to have a humidifier at home and use the right products for your face. To moisturize your skin, use a hydrating serum with a water-based formula.
Face Masks
Even with the COVID-19 vaccine, it is still advisable to wear a face mask when going out in public. However, wearing a face mask can be harmful to the skin. The phenomenon is now called maskne or mask-related acne. It is acne you develop because of the constant use of a face mask. But how did it develop?
When you speak under a face mask, you release hot air that opens up your skin’s pores. This creates an environment wherein bacteria can thrive. This is why those wearing masks frequently might experience acne, rosacea flare-ups, and perioral dermatitis.
Sanitizers and Cleaning Products
It’s not just your face that you should be worried about when it comes to skin problems during the pandemic. Your hands also feel dry because of using alcohol and sanitizers too much. Not to mention, you’re also using disinfectants for the surfaces of your homes and offices. All of these products contain harsh chemicals that might lead to what they call hand dermatitis, as well as cracks, dryness, rashes, contact dermatitis, and allergies. You may consider wearing gloves when using disinfectants in your home and offices.
Screen Time
Since people are staying more at home now, that also means increased screen time. Whether it’s because of working at home or simply burning away the hours out of boredom, the radiation from the screen has a bad effect on your skin. It can cause hyperpigmentation, as well as the loss of collagen that then leads to premature aging. The solution is to find a skin-care product with collagen and sun protection barriers. These will help protect your skin and renew the skin cells.
Diet
Admit it; you have a poorer diet because of the pandemic. The easy access to junk food in your pantry isn’t great for your skin, too. Sugary treats and high-carb foods can definitely take a toll on your skin. So, once in a while, get in the kitchen and prepare a healthy lunch or dinner. While pandemic stress is a good excuse to eat your favorite junk food, the consequences are detrimental to your skin care.
Sleep
As people stay more at home, they also get less sleep. Can you believe that? You’ve always wanted to stay more at home in the past so you can sleep better. But now that the opportunity is here, you’re not taking advantage of it? Unfortunately, being forced to stay at home is different from taking a leave from work to sleep. Now, you tend to binge-watch and sleep late at night since you’re not going to commute to work in the morning anyway.
Stress
The worst thing that has ever happened to your skin probably happened during the height of the pandemic. Not only do you have maskne, but you also suffered from acne, hair loss, dandruff, and eczema. Properly taking care of your skin got hard because you couldn’t go to the dermatologist to have your routine facial. You couldn’t even go to the spa for some relaxation time.
With the pandemic still a reality, you have to learn how to manage your stress. The pandemic causes undue stress to your skin. Don’t let it win over you. Switch to skin-care products that will address your current skin issues if you need to. You can even consult virtually with a dermatologist. Don’t allow this pandemic to ruin what you’ve taken care of your whole life.