how to avoid “lockdown face” syndrome

• January 17, 2021

Mirror mirror on the wall, what is happening to my face? (Just kidding, because I haven’t even looked at my face for the last few days) 👹
Beauties! What are we gona do about our lockdown face? It’s this new phenomenon that’s caused by two things – your skin being denied the usual skincare routine at home, and access to professional beauty treatments like Botox, fillers at the clinic.
We asked Dr. Costi for emergency tips on how to handle it and what we can do about our unhappy skin 😅

Ok but wait: If we’re home in lockdown, doesn’t it mean our skin should be happy since we’re not wearing make-up and we’re not exposed to pollution? Why then are we experiencing breakouts, fine lines and dark circles?

What causes lockdown face? 🐼
According to Dr. Costi, our skin is changing because it’s stressed out, and there’s a few other reasons too.

The Stress
We are more stressed than ever while trying to keep our lives normal during lockdown, and it’s showing on our skin. According to Dr. Costi, it’s because we’re producing cortisol, which in turn causes inflammation and excess oil production in the skin.
Now when we’re stressed, it may also result in lack of sleep as well as a messed-up diet where we crave sugars and fried food. It’s all a vicious cycle that hurts our skin in the end.

Being Lazy
While we’re overwhelmed, it’s easy to ditch our daily skin care routine even though we know we shouldn’t.
Even if we’re too lazy or simply don’t have the time, we must stick to a few basic skin care steps, if we want to avoid the dark circles, wrinkles and dull skin.
One great tip is “to pretend like it’s a normal day” (not in lockdown) per Dr. Costi. So instead of staying in your pajamas, get up as usual, and get ready as if you were going out. This will help you to normalize everything else during the day, structuring it and therefore not falling into laziness.

No direct sunshine
We know the importance of vitamin D from the sun, for our skin as well as our immune system. So it’s important to still go outside, even if it’s just for 10 minutes on your balcony.
Now when you’re in the sun, whether at home by the window, or on a walk around the neighborhood, don’t forget your SPF to protect from harmful UV rays.

How can we avoid the lockdown face syndrome?😷
You must find a routine that will work for you. Your whole body will thank you for it.

Reduce stress
Easier said than done? Yes we know, but don’t underestimate the power of a little “me time” spent doing a facial massage. Get your jade roller out, and try a face yoga tutorial. This will help circulation, oxygenating your skin and lifting your mood. It will also help avoid breakouts which are caused by toxins.

Clean and hydrate
Just because you’re not seeing anyone today, doesn’t mean you skimp on your skin care. Remember what Dr. Costi always says “Invest in your skin” and it will last you a lifetime!
So keep in mind your basics: clean your face twice a day, and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
You can spend some extra time taking care of your tired eyes (blue light from electronic screens, as well as lack of sleep) by using under-eye sheet masks and hydrating morning and night.
And remember the importance of water not only to flush out toxins but also to regulate our body temperature and lubricate the joints.

Keep it simple ⚠️
WARNING: Even if you find you have extra time, now is not the time to experiment with new skin care products.
Don’t put something new on your face when you’re not sure of your skin’s reaction. You’re stuck without the doctor’s help and we don’t want to risk anything that could irritate your face.
If you’ve always used Retinol, then keep using it. However, don’t start using it differently or putting on more of it.
Don’t squeeze your pimples, don’t exfoliate too much and remember no hot water on your face!
Keep things simple and basic until we can get back to normal.

The lockdown won’t last forever and all you need is a little patience with your skin to keep it looking fresh. And if you want to try something new, you can get an online consultation with Dr. Costi beforehand.
Let’s all remember: treat your skin with kindness the same way you’re trying to treat the world right now ❤️ We all need it.