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Pandemic Skincare Routine: Solve Maskne and Other Skin Problems While on Quarantine
Most of us have probably celebrated our quarantine anniversary just a few months ago. While it’s certainly not a happy celebration, we also have to acknowledge that the year has been tough. With these new changes in place, it can be hard to focus on self-care.
Nowadays, I find myself going for a skincare routine that requires minimal effort. Given the current events, trying to keep our mental health in good shape is understandably difficult. If you’ve been having trouble trying to maintain your usual routines, too, we totally get it!
In fact, the beauty industry has reported lower sales in the first quarter of last year. Because people are adapting to drastic changes in their life, most consumers have been sticking to baseline skincare and beauty routines. For most people, this means no more buying way too many products. The restrictions put in place by different countries has also not been in favor of the beauty industry as fewer people have been going out to stores to shop.
The good news is, a minimal routine doesn’t always mean an ineffective one. As we say, quality over quantity. It’s better to have a few skincare products that get right to the problem than plenty that don’t do much at all. And there are certainly a few problems that have been pandemic-specific, so to speak. One of these is maskne.
How can I treat maskne?
Maskne (a combination of the words “mask” and “acne”) is a form of acne breakout induced by mask-wearing. Often, a face mask can have material that is irritating to oily, sensitive, acne-prone, or dry skin. If you go out a lot, you’ll obviously need to be wearing face masks all the time. This can lead to redness and chafing in the face. Your reaction to the mask will depend on plenty of factors, including the material of the mask, your own skin type, and environmental changes.
We’re not going to say that the pandemic has given us all more time on our hands, because that is certainly not the case for everyone. We’re all adjusting to new lifestyles along with our local community guidelines. But in any case, if you’ve been staying at home a lot, it’s a great time to work on your skin care routine and try to solve any skin-related problems that you never noticed pre-pandemic.
Maskne is just one of them. Plenty of women and men may experience weather-related damage, environmental stress, and other things encountered in everyday life that can trigger breakouts. The best way to combat it is simply by making a few adjustments in your routine!
Easy Pandemic Skin Care Routine
We know that the past year has definitely brought about a ton of changes in the way we live. It’s not just the social distancing, either. That’s why we’re ditching a complicated routine in favor of a simple one that is easy to maintain and won’t cost a lot of money.
For this routine, we’re going minimal and getting straight to the problem! Remember to look for skin care products that are suited for you and your skin type along the way.
Gentle Cleanser
If you’ve been wearing makeup, you’ll know that it can be hard to wash off with just any cleanser. But a gentle cleanser doesn’t mean an ineffective one. It just means a cleanser that can wash off the heavy makeup without drying your skin.
This goes for those who don’t wear makeup everyday too. Since you might be wearing masks regularly, it’s important to wash your face with a good cleanser that won’t dry you out but will also clear away any dirt and pollution that may get stuck when you’re out and about.
Moisturizer
Oily skin or dry skin, moisturizers are a great way to keep moisture in our face and prevent water loss. Moisturizing daily and keeping the skin barrier healthy and protected will reduce the chances of breakouts and irritation as well as other skin issues. Make sure to look for a moisturizer that is suited to your skin type. Some awesome ingredients to watch out for include hyaluronic acid and ceramides as these are proven to help retain moisture and also protect the skin barrier.
This is also important if you’re fond of makeup. It helps to moisturize or prime the skin before applying it. The same goes for lipstick: if you’re prone to chapping, keep a balm ready before applying your tint.
Treatments
If you‘ve been having beauty problems like rashes, pimples, or any sort of allergic break out that may or may not be related to masks and face shields, then treatments are essential. This will depend on the type of skin problems you have. For example, salicylic acid can help combat certain types of acne, specifically, blackheads and whiteheads.
Soothing Cream
Men and women who have sensitive skin like I do will know that flare-ups can be triggered even when we’re not wearing masks! To further protect your skin, opt for a gentle cream that can soothe irritation and redness. Reapply it frequently or as needed.
Sunscreen
It’s not a skincare routine without sunscreen! It has a load of benefits that we all know and love: protecting us from harmful UV rays, preventing discoloration, and more. In the case of those who are currently battling a bout of zits, sunscreen can prevent the eventual scarring and discoloration that may occur.
If you’re one to wear makeup on a daily basis, you may apply your sunscreen as the last step of your skincare routine and right before you apply the first step of your makeup regimen.
Pandemic Beauty Industry: Beauty Routines, Tips, and Tricks
Consider Going Natural
Going bare-faced may be scary for some, but the more you let your skin rest, the more you’re actually taking care of it. Makeup can add to the blockage of pores, which can be exacerbated by the irritating fabric of face masks. (Silver lining: you don’t have to skip the eyebrows.)
Take Care of Your Hair
Now that most of our face is covered up with masks and plastic face shields, it’s time to let our hair shine! Why not try the 10-step Korean hair care routine? Or if you haven’t bitten the bullet yet, it’s never too late to try out a cool new hair color! You can check out our blog post on how to take care of bleached hair right here.
Don’t Stress It
One factor that can immensely help us look and feel like our best selves is nursing our mental well-being. Holistic beauty is all about staying healthy, glowing, and happy inside and out. This means getting enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, and even regular exercise!
Apart from setting up healthy routines, it can also mean treating yourself every once in a while. How about some at-home facials for you and mom? Maybe bingeing that new series you’ve been interested in but never had the time to? We may not realize it, but letting ourselves unwind even just a little bit can do wonders!
Final Note
We hope this guide was able to help you in your skin care journey! Remember that there’s no need to be too hard on yourself when you’re trying to keep your usual beauty routines up. After all, we are still in the middle of a global pandemic. This time, we’re focusing on taking care of our body and mental wellness for ourselves and not for anyone else! Do what makes you feel good, for you.
Want to share your own skincare tips and tricks? Sound off in the comments below! In the meantime, take a look at our website for more of the best content on beauty, makeup, health, and fashion!
