How to Conquer “Quarantine Skin”
Quarantine skin – it is a thing.
All that time indoors and/or behind a mask isn’t doing our skin any favors. In fact, it could be the culprit behind the host of skincare issues you’ve been dealing with lately.
Have you noticed your skin breaking out more? Dryness replacing dewiness? Dullness cancelling out your glow?
There’s a name for that, and it’s called quarantine skin.
Quarantine skin results from spending long periods indoors and behind a mask, which can transpire into acne, dryness, dullness, and worsen existing conditions.
Below, we turn to the experts for advice on what causes it and how to combat quarantine skin.
THE ISSUE: ACNE BREAKOUTS
The Cause: Stress & Masks
Several things could be causing your breakouts. For starters, stress.
“Stress causes an increase in cortisol and androgenic hormones,” explains dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, M.D. This, in turn, increases sebum production, which leads to acne breakouts. “This, plus the increased inflammation they can yield often are behind an acne flare-up in stressful times.”
There’s also your mask that could be to blame.
If you don’t have the luxury of working from home and being in a mask-free zone, it means your skin is continuously in contact with your mask. Wearing face masks for hours at a time can cause something called acne mechanica, a type of acne caused by sweat, friction, and heat.
The Solution
Try meditation apps, mindfulness or yoga to quell your mind. Anything that relaxes you – do it. It’s what your skin – and your mind – needs right now.
As for your “maskne,” protect yourself in Truly’s lightweight, reusable, and washable Face Mask.
THE ISSUE: DRY SKIN
The Cause: Less Exposure to Vitamin D & Increased Time Indoors
The sun doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to skincare, but exposure to sunlight is important – in small and regular doses. Our skin needs vitamin D in order to repair and rebuild itself. Some studies also indicate vitamin D can treat skin conditions like dryness or eczema. By staying indoors more than normal, our skin is paying the price.
And that brings up a problem all on its own. Indoor heating.
Not only is the air dryer indoors, but our heaters are also notorious for drying out our skin. That’s because they cause dry air which pulls moisture from the skin.
The Solution
First things first, get more fresh air and sunlight outside whenever possible. Take a walk, do some gardening, or simply stand out on your balcony for several minutes. Additionally, start incorporating vitamin-D packed foods into your diet.
“As long as you’re eating a variety of fruits and vegetables and maintaining a well-balanced diet, your vitamin D levels should stay within normal limits,” says Dr. Marnie Nussbaum, M.D. “If you do suspect a vitamin D deficiency, always inquire with your primary physician before starting supplements.”
When you are inside, try turning off the heater every now and then, and think about bringing in a humidifier to add moisture into the air.
In the meantime, keep your skin hydrated with Truly’s Hemp Oil Facial Serum.
THE ISSUE: INFLAMED SKIN
The Cause: Skincare Experiments
It’s great that you’re getting creative with skincare while indoors, but there is such a thing as overdoing it.
“People are trying all sorts of new products at the same time—or just using too many products in general right now because they’re bored and curious about experimenting with new stuff,” says esthetician Ali Tobias.
You would think more is better, right? According to Tobias, that’s not the case.
She continues, “I’ve seen a lot of over-exfoliation that has left the skin really inflamed and raw—the only real treatment for that is to give your skin a break and go back to basics.”
The Solution
As fun as it is to play around with and mix up your skincare regimen, try not to use too many products simultaneously. Over-experimentation could lead to adverse effects of your products.
Instead, stick to a gentle daily skincare routine and add in a new product weekly just to see how your skin reacts to it.
Also, opt for gentle exfoliators like Truly’s Matcha Scrub.
THE ISSUE: DULLNESS
The Cause: Increased Skin Time & Inconsistent Sleep Schedule
Naturally, we’re all spending more time in front of our screens under quarantine. Whether it’s your phone, laptop or iPad, all that “screen time” is screwing up your skin.
Here’s how it goes: your digital devices emit something called blue light, a high-energy light which can contribute to photo-aging, dullness, dark spots and even melasma. In other words, it’s stealing your glow!
Lack of sleep or poor sleeping schedule could also be causing your skin dullness. Without a proper and consistent sleep schedule, you’re depriving your skin of its regenerating and rejuvenating cycle. As a result, you’re setting yourself up for everything from breakouts to a diminished natural glow.
The Solution
Try to limit your screen time. When you do pick up your phone or sit down in front of your laptop, slather your face in Truly’s Blueberry Kush Hemp Face Oil first. Made from the oil of 1,000 blueberries, this formula acts as a natural shield against blue light.
As for your sleep routine, try implementing a new normal like waking up at a set time, going to bed earlier, and getting ready (and dressed) for the day even if you’re not leaving the house. This should make it easier to get into a healthy sleep schedule and reach those seven recommended hours of sleep each night. Something that can benefit both your skin and your productivity.
If you’re experiencing unpleasant issues with your skin, be sure to try out the above solutions. As for the people who have their best skin ever in quarantine, it could be down to a few reasons: sticking to a clean diet, giving your skin a breather from makeup, following a skincare routine, and finding more time to “zen out” with meditation or yoga.
