First of all, we would like to thank all the medical staff, doctors, nurses, cleaners and first aid responders on call during this global pandemic. True heroes, we salute you. Your skin might be the last thing you’re thinking about right now (but we have some emergency tips even for you http://drcosti.com/dry-skin-try-these-5-remedies/)
Now in case you’re a normal person in this pandemic, chances are you have been forced to quarantine and you’re not really going outside much. You’re also probably eating differently, exercising differently and most likely dealing with a lot of stress. As a result, your skin is freaking out in more than one way.
We spoke to Dr. Costi about a few pertinent topics to help us take care of our whole self (and our skin) until we can get back to our normal routine.
1 About sleep
“You’re already stressed and lack of sleep will release cortisol in your body” says Dr. Costi. Cortisol is the stress hormone, so hello inflammation, hello breakouts and skin rashes.
Stick to a schedule even if you don’t need to be somewhere, go to bed and wake up at the same time. Set your alarm every night and make sure you get at least 7 hours of sleep.
2 About exercise
You already know that exercise is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. “Exercise produces endorphins, the feel-good hormones that elevate your mood” confirms Dr. Costi.
It’s also a great way to sweat, flushing out toxins! Make sure you include it within your daily activities, a 20 minute session is a perfect way to stay active.
On the other hand, if you’ve been working out even more than usual, then remember that your skin hygiene needs to be a top priority. “Quickly wash your face after working out, and avoid sitting around in your sweat”. You might also need the extra hydration and soothing if you’re constantly raising your body’s temperature.
3 About sunlight
We all know the golden rule, of course we must wear sunscreen every day to protect our skin from early signs of aging. But what about when we spend too much time inside without seeing the sun?
According to Dr. Costi, the sun’s UV rays boost vitamin D production in our bodies, so we should consider a vitamin D supplement when we’re staying in.
Also, “When we’re stuck inside, our skin tends to become dry from being in a dry, conditioned environment. So consider upping your hydration routine by applying nightly face masks”.
Another good tip is to avoid long hot showers which suck the moisture out of our skin.
4 About skin chafing and scratching
With the extra time on your hands, you might start spending more time scrutinizing and poking your whole body, top to bottom. Don’t!
Don’t do extra exfoliating treatments, don’t get carried away with masks and don’t pick at your spots.
“In times of stress people have a tendency to pick at their skin” Dr. Costi said “but you could be really messing with your skin’s pH balance and causing extra inflammation that you don’t need right now”.
So instead of picking and scratching, you should be soothing. “The easiest way to soothe an itch or an inflammation is by placing an ice pack right on it” advises Dr. Costi.
Your hands must also be extra dry right now, so apply a good hand cream every time you wash them. You can even use a simple Vaseline on any cracked part of your body.
5 About food
As a general rule to be healthy, a balanced diet will do you wonders for your body and for your skin. Especially during a confined existence, you should double up on anything rich in anti-oxidants like berries, artichokes and spinach, to support your overall health (especially your liver).
Now on the other side of this coin is that you should make the extra effort to avoid foods that spike your blood glucose levels, like breakfast cereals, white bread and white rice (these carbohydrates have a high glycemic index.)
Of course everything in moderation won’t hurt, but it’s a known fact that sugar destroys skin’s elasticity and if you want to look young forever, then you had better cut it out as much as possible.
“This is not an ideal situation, but make the most of it” says Dr. Costi. Be kind to yourself, keep up a good routine, and try to indulge in the little things with this extra time on your hands. Who knows? You might even find new ways to have the beautiful skin you always wanted.
Be you, be beautiful, and always be kind!
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