Skin & Beauty 7th of August 2020

5 Derm-Approved Skincare Tips During The Pandemic

While we adapt to the not-so-new normal routine, we can’t deny that all these lifestyle changes have definitely impacted our skin too. Fret not, as we break down a complete skincare guide to help revive that dull and tired skin to a healthy glow.

From makeup detox, countless sheet masks to reduced sun exposure, and the self-imposed ban on face touching – you'd be lying if you said you weren't smugly anticipating your best skin yet during this period. You're basically giving your skin everything it ever wanted, right?

So then, why is it still going absolutely NUTS? Our skin is having a complete meltdown despite getting everything it's ever wanted. At first, we thought this was all just an unfortunate coincidence, but as it turns out, we're not the only ones feeling this frustration, and there's a scientific reason why.

What’s Causing Your Skin To Freak Out?

To put it out there: Stress, poor diet, lack of fresh air, lack of exercise, and lack of sleep can all cause skin issues. And of course, not forgetting the pandemic skin enemy - maskne.

While it’s true that our #stayathome lifestyle has encouraged better hygiene, skincare practices, and facilitated more opportunities to exercise, an unprecedented increase in stress and anxiety can instantly reverse these improvements.

Be it workplace stress, job uncertainties, or the overwhelming fear of the pandemic, many people around the globe are experiencing stress and our skin can react in various ways, such as psoriasis, eczema flare-ups, dermatitis, or even acne.

Surprisingly, even overcomplicating your skincare regimen can adversely affect your skin, as adding new products you're not normally used to may cause irritation, allergy, and worsen the underlying skin problems.

Here's What To Do

Protecting your skin during this time doesn’t have to be complicated, and you don’t have to splash out on a whole load of new skincare products. Because sometimes, less is more.

Ready to turn things around? Here are 5 top tips that’ll help you get on the right track:

#1 Hydrate

One thing is certain: Applying moisturizer is vital to keep your skin well-hydrated and healthy. No matter what your skin type is, giving your skin a boost of hydration will help strengthen the skin barrier which works to retain moisture in deeper skin layers, and protect it from harsh elements like UV rays and pollutants.

If you’re looking for a good everyday moisturizer, we recommend trying UltraMoist™. It is a multi-action skin hydrator formulated with purified Bee Venom, RegeneCell™, Superior Hyaluronic Acid (miniHA™), and Oryzanol Complex™ that can hydrate and enhance skin's natural elasticity for that soft, smooth, and plump skin.

The luxurious anti-aging serum, UltraPeptide™ also works great to reactivate the skin’s self-hydrating power, making it an excellent choice for those with dry and aging skin. How does it work? This sophisticated nutrient-dense serum penetrates deep into the skin for maximum nourishment and renewal to fight all visible signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles.

#2 Exfoliate

Exfoliating not only removes dead skin layers but also clears up built-up grime. This helps your skincare to penetrate deeper, providing better nourishment to your skin cells. But that doesn’t mean you should go ham on your face and scrub your skin every single day.

Here’s a simple guide:

For sensitive skin: Once a week

For normal or dry skin: Twice per week

For combination skin: 1-2 times per week

For oily skin: 2-3 times per week

When selecting an exfoliant, opt for products with Niacinamide or Alpha and Beta Hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs). Containing the derm-recommended Niacinamide and other gentle ingredients, ComeMinus® provides conditioning and exfoliation for the skin surface while removing oil, dirt, and debris to prevent clogged pores, blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. Rest assured that this gentle yet effective serum can be used on a daily basis especially on T-zone areas to help tighten the pores and reduce oiliness without ripping off the skin’s natural sebum.

#3 Rejuvenate

For even better results? Couple it with skin supplements to work from the inside out! Here’s one right up your alley with all-pure ingredients and no side effects.

The superior Cysteine Peptides and smarter Vitamin C in AG-FACTOR™ help to brighten and rejuvenate skin to a smooth, elastic, and glowing complexion from within. It enables the body to self-produce Glutathione and Collagen naturally, instead of forcing our body to absorb them from external sources and synthetic ingredients.

#4 Protect

Think you can skimp on SPF even when you’re inside? Nope, not a chance.

UVA light can penetrate through the window glass, causing premature aging and even skin cancer. It’s best to use a barrier sunscreen rather than a chemical sunscreen as it is much safer to use and can block UV light much better.

UltraShield™ Zero-Imperfection Daily Defense (DD) Cream provides the ultimate anti-pollution and UV protection as it goes beyond just skimming the surface of your skin. Formulated with premium active ingredients, it penetrates deep into your underlying skin layers, providing both physical and biochemical protection to shield against UV damage and air pollution. Here comes the best part! Not only does it work as a superb sunscreen, it also provides ample coverage to help conceal acne marks, uneven skin tones, blemishes, visible sun damage, redness, dark spots, and melasma.

#5 Treat

While it's a norm to wear a mask 24/7 when we're out and about, it's hard to avoid having uninvited zits due to bacteria build up caused by the constant friction of the mask material and trapped air within.

To counter acne the right way, we need to start by eliminating the acne-causing bacteria from within. Meet the world’s No.1 acne expert that does just that! Formulated with natural yet powerful ingredients like Lactoferrin, it works effectively to clear up oil-clogging pores, reduces sebum production, and even white/blackheads. The acne-fighting ingredients in PRAVENTAC™ also help treat existing acne and blemishes to prevent the formation of scars.

Double up your anti-acne game with the gentle yet effective spot treatment, AcneMinus®, to banish acne externally. Formulated with ingredients like Tea Tree Oil, it helps speed up the healing process of blemishes by soothing the infected area and relieving inflammation. The end goals? Clear and spotless skin that you've always dreamt of!

Last but not least, always remember that everyone's skin is different and patience is a virtue when it comes to beauty routines. So it’s important to give your newly added products, be it skincare or supplements, at least 3-6 months before you’ll see results. Hang in there because this skin tragedy shall pass too!

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By EY