If you've found your skin stressing from the lack of Vitamin D and regular exercise, you're not alone. I am not a dermatologist but I've always had my own unique skin "routine" so to speak and I stick to it. But, even with my dedication to my skin centered lifestyle, I couldn't fight the inevitable stress bumps from being unable to go outside.
In the beginning of quarantine (about 4 weeks ago now) my skin was starting to thrive. I was outside less and underground much less which helped keep my face away from lots of dirty irritants. I'll attribute most of that glow to my regular routine and exercising. Now that my sleep schedule is officially nonexistent, my body is having trouble remembering normal things like lunch and water. The shift in my diet and physical activity has also shifted what my skin needs to stay radiant and happy.
While I've been sticking to my regular routine of rose water, charcoal masks and waxing, I've added some oils and massage techniques to ensure my circulation is still strong even when I'm feeling a little lazy. Not wearing makeup and heavy products has also been great but that means that my skin is the first thing to come in contact with the outside. So when I do leave my house, you best believe my skin is ready to face the wind. If you have to wear a mask everyday, protecting your skin is ESSENTIAL to prevent scarring.
Here are a few things I've been using to keep my skin feeling fresh and fabulous during this not-so-fresh-and-fabulous time.
1. My absolute GO TO for daily use to remedy everything from slight irritation to boredom–– rosewater. I try not to wear a lot of product on my face, especially after I finish my charcoal masks, so rosewater really is the ultimate refresher for my skin. I spray it on my face right when I wake up and then periodically throughout the day. If I leave the house and come back, I may use a hydrating facial wipe and then follow up with a quick spritz. I feel like you can never use too much.
2. A good clarifying clay mask helps me get a nice fresh surface to moisturize before I use my oils and massage. I sometimes may use a mask with some tingle to it (i.e. tea tree oil) so that I can have a super cooling effect after I use my froze face roller. My favorite clay mask is the Peace Rose Clarifying Mask by Shea Moisture. It's perfect for sensitive skin!
3. I've always used rose oil, but this Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil I've been using is particularly light and silky. I really only need a couple drops in my dry spots (corners of my mouth and highlight points on my face). Sometimes I use my face roller and massage it into the corners of my mouth and under my eyes.
4. Drunk Elephant is honestly straight 🔥. I love how light this polypeptide moisturizer is and the clarifying jelly facial wash is actually not bad. I love something really light for when I'm not wearing tons of makeup or product because my skin is actually putting in a lot of work as it is and I don't want to stress her out.
5. So this is where we get into the massage techniques. While I massage everything into my skin before I continue onto the next product, I spend a little more time massaging my face with sweet almond oil and my jade face roller for about 2 minutes.
I then let the oil absorb into my skin for a few moments before I begin massaging with my gua sha. My mom actually gave me my first face roller for Christmas 2 years ago from EarthSavers and I have used one nearly everyday since then.
This diagram might help you if you've never used a face roller before. I use the same motions for the gua sha as the face roller I just apply different pressure. When I'm rolling my face I am really focusing on the surface and spreading an even layer of oil across the skin. I sometimes put my roller in the freezer or the refrigerator for a nice cooling sensation.
I'll be uploading full videos to show you how I use some of these products so if you want to see what they're like IRL subscribe at the bottom of the page and follow me on Instagram. These are mostly my regular go-to's with a few samples that I've gotten here and there that I have found myself now OBSESSING over. Click the links and check them out! What have you been doing to keep your skin feeling fresh?
Keep wearing those masks and remember that a glass of wine and a bubble bath are great ways to stay socially distant!
I remember as a little girl my mother and grandmother would stress the importance of taking care of my skin. It's the first thing people see when they look at you.