Skincare for the indoors

With coronavirus in the headlines it seems a bit ridiculous to talk about skincare under quarantine. But what a sad place the world has become if we can no longer talk about beauty, right?! So, whether it’s lotions or potions, serums or SPF, please indulge me while I talk about my new skincare routine for the indoors.

I’ve been under lockdown for just over a month now. My skin has been getting really bad, with spots on my forehead and dry patches all over, so I’ve had a rummage among my beauty shelf and made a few changes.

How to treat ‘maskne’

I’ve had a few spots appear where I wear my mask. To combat this ‘maskne’, I’ve been wearing less makeup, or often none at all. I find makeup clogs my pores under a sweaty mask. I don’t need to wear my mask for long stretches of time, but even so, I’ll often give my face a gentle cleanse after removing my mask at home. I’ve made the mistake of using harsh exfoliants to strip away the blemishes, but in fact this just makes things worse. For me, it’s all about the gentle cleanse.

Gentler cleansing

Last month I was using a foaming gel cleanser, but I’ve switched to a fabulous new, gentler cleanser (Japanfusion by BeautyPie) as my skin seemed to be getting quite dehydrated, especially around the chin.

I don’t always cleanse in the morning – a rinse with warm water and a spritz of mist is enough. Yet, even on a PJ day, I always cleanse at nighttime. Whether I’ve been working out, cleaning the house or running around with the kids, my skin always needs a decent cleanse at nighttime.

Having said that, I’m not getting the same level of exposure to pollution. With this in mind, I’m only using my Clarisonic occasionally, like once every fortnight. I’m dialing down the exfoliation too.

Richer hydration

All this time indoors is leaving my skin dry. Whether it’s the stress, the lack of sleep or the dry air indoors causing it, I’ve upped my moisturisation. I now use a richer cream with hyaluronic acid both morning and night.

I also keep a bottle of moisturising face mist by the sink and have a spritz after hand washing. Or at least when I remember. If you’re living with overzealous air conditioning or central heating, check out Mario Badescu’s wonderful face mist.

Sun protection

Although I’m not going out, I do activities with my kids on the terrace all morning. Windows let in UVA rays which the SPF in my moisturiser alone won’t combat (this article explains it better). So I still wear regular sunscreen.

Whether you live in a hot or cold country, sun protection is never a bad thing. Here are some of my favourite sunscreens.

Hand mask

I already have dry skin and as I’m constantly washing my hands, they’re super dehydrated. Now I’m using a lovely rich cream by CeraVe every time I wash my hands and I’m slathering it on at bed time, too.

When that isn’t enough I’m using olive oil. I use it super sparingly at bed time. While I do have hand mask gloves which work wonders, I just can’t sleep in the darn things so I don’t like to use them at night.

Eye cream

I don’t think I’m the only one losing sleep right now. The circles under my eyes just got a whole lot greyer and puffier.

Thankfully I picked up a bargain of an eye cream at Mercadona supermarket in Spain a while ago and it seems to be helping. It’s not helping me sleep though, just for the record.

Of course, travel to Spain, or anywhere isn’t a good idea, so here are some other eye creams I love.

Me time masks

I’m cherishing rare, little pockets of ‘me time’.

Whenever I get a moment of peace, nothing beats a candlelit bath and a face mask. My current obsession is a soothing moisture mask by Avene. It’s not a miracle plumper like some of my more extravagant buys, but it’s gentle enough for regular use.

In terms of a quicker fix, these skyn ICELAND under eye masks work wonders for under eye bags.

Less makeup, more colour

Other than a little lipstick when I’m feeling down, I’m not really wearing much makeup these days. Alas I’m not one of those tanned goddesses who can pull off the fresh face look, so I’m resorting to a very mild facial tanner.

I love a good gradual tanner – a decent one will add a bit of colour, without the Fanta face. Applying it before bed, it means I don’t have to spend any time in the morning when my kids are clutching to my ankles. Right now, I’m enjoying this gradual tanner by Green People.

I also like Wonderglow by Charlotte Tilbury. It’s a super light highlighter that adds a little glow, without any razzle dazzle glitter. I use it as a highlighter on my cheekbones only, sometimes under makeup, sometimes alone.

Vitamins

In addition to calcium with added vitamin D and biotin, I now take Omega-3 which my doctor prescribed for my psoriasis.

Vitamin D is especially important for me. I was already deficient and we don’t have any outdoor space for basking outdoors. In case you’re curious – the body can’t make vitamin D by sitting indoors by a sunny window because UVB rays (the ones needed to make vitamin D) can’t get through the glass.

Meanwhile, I’ve been taking collagen for skin elasticity. It’s too early to say if the collagen is helping, but here’s hoping…

Of course, I’m not a doctor, so do speak to one before taking any supplements or making any dietary changes.

In terms of topically applied vitamins, this mask enriched with vitamin C is a brilliant quick fix for lacklustre skin.

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