This article is originally published on Proven Skincare.
Dr.Yuan
Never did we think we would be in the middle of a worldwide pandemic and in quarantine.
It’s been stressful. Stressful on us and very stressful on our skin.
In a short amount of time, everything in our lives has been turned upside down. Though we are starting to slowly venture out again, we’ve been working remotely, home schooling our kids, ordering in groceries, staying in sweatpants all day and, most likely, neglecting and affecting our skin. For some of us, our skincare products may not have been touched in weeks.
Colleagues and experts in the skincare industry, CEO and Co-Founder of PROVEN Skincare, Ming Zhao, *and *Dr. Tyler Hollmig, Head of Dermatologic Surgery at the University of Texas at Austin discussed how this health pandemic, being under quarantine and wearing face masks, is wreaking havoc on our skin. They also discussed what we can do for better skin health and what to do to best care for your skin during this unprecedented time.
WHAT ARE WE DOING TO OUR SKIN RIGHT NOW?
The short answer is “too little and too much”. Think about it. Some of us have gotten into the habit of staying in our pajamas or sweatpants, prepping for grainy Zoom calls and an afternoon of helping with homework and a quick walk with the dog. We are not following our daily activities, including our skincare routines. On the flip side, because we have this “extra” time, some may be using this opportunity to experiment with new products, perhaps glycolic peels, exfoliators or new facial cleansers which can actually stress out skin even more.
Dr. Hollmig points out that he is seeing three patterns when it comes to home skincare during the coronavirus lockdown. The most common is that many people are taking the new hygiene guidelines quite seriously. While these “new normal” and important habits of, using hand sanitizers, increased handwashing and using decontaminating household products will help keep us healthy, they can dry out the skin and cause irritation, flaking, and dermatitis.
Others are using “time away” from work and friends as an opportunity to be more focused on their skin and skincare regimens, trying new at-home products such as a chemical peel, exfoliating mask or retinoid. This over-manipulation of and experimentation on the skin can cause breakouts, irritation and redness.
Other skin issues can be caused by a change in habits like increased workouts at home, skipping a daily shower or working all day without cleansing the skin. Many of us fall into at least one of these three groups, and adding in the effects of the stress that we are all feeling, this is a recipe for skin irritation and other troubles.
WHAT SHOULD WE AVOID PUTTING ON OUR SKIN NOW?
We should always avoid phthalates, parabens, palm oils, dyes and other ingredients that can cause skin irritation and issues. Both experts agree on this as well as it depending on the individual, how they care for themselves (exercise, diet) and their unique environment right now. Having a personalized skincare regimen can address many issues as well as promote healthy skin.
As an example, people who typically travel for work are, for the most part, grounded for now. Usually, business travelers compensate for the dry skin they experience when traveling, by moisturizing, hydrating or misting skin. Being home, their skin may look and feel oilier due to stress-induced stimulation of oil glands. If they continue using their “regular” moisturizers, this, plus the effects of stress, is likely to have adverse consequences on skin.
THE IMPORTANCE OF RECOGNIZING INDIVIDUAL NEEDS and HOW A PERSONALIZED SKINCARE REGIMEN CAN HELP.
Dr. Hollmig is an aesthetic dermatologist, which is different than a traditional or clinical dermatologist. Aesthetic dermatology is the study of skin health and beauty and involves dedication to scientifically-proven interventions to improve on these aspects.
He has treated thousands of patients and focuses on treating skin cancer, performing evidence-based therapies to improve the skin’s appearance and health and is a strong advocate of personalized skincare. He continues to research the role of genetics in skin health, beauty, and aging and has advised numerous companies on establishing skincare formulas and products that are safe and effective. After reading about the PROVEN Skincare concept and its AI backed technology, he was more than happy to offer his expertise and consultancy to the brand and its founders.
Personalized skincare is incredibly helpful to the individual, especially now. Due to this dramatic shift in our daily lives and routines, this unprecedented health crisis, we are stressed via worry and uncertainty and this stress can be reflected on our skin. Stress will also elevate our cortisol levels which can cause acne to reappear or worsen, rosacea can flare up and oil glands go into overdrive. It can also cause eczema, dandruff and some hair loss (check your shower drain lately?) Pregnant women dealing with fluctuating hormones are now contending with stress from higher levels of anxiety which can cause increased skin darkening, facial breakouts and stretch marks.
By using personalized skincare, individuals can adjust regimens based on circumstances, like this quarantine, an environment, a change in diet, stage of life, genetics and more.
OTHER ELEMENTS OR CONDITIONS CAN AFFECT OUR SKIN NOW.
IDENTIFY THEM AND TREAT THEM AS PART OF A SELF CARE ROUTINE.
Our current lifestyle changes seem to be endless, however, this quarantine is offering us an opportunity for self-care. We can identify elements that are affecting us and get into or back into a healthy routine.
Our skin is our front line of defense and interacts with every aspect of our environment. Elements including the daily UV index, temperature and humidity, as well as pollution levels, hard water and sun exposure take a toll on skin. How skin ages over a lifetime is largely due to the environment. Also known as extrinsic aging, lifestyle also plays a critical role in our skin’s appearance and long-term health. When there is a dramatic shift in our lifestyle, as we have seen with the COVID-19 crisis, the skin definitely shows it.
Interior climate or “bad” air.
Conditioned air can be very drying to skin. As an example, ambient humidity helps the outer layer of our skin, or epidermis, to retain moisture. The epidermis protects us against environmental elements as well as helps our skin retain moisture, keeping it looking and feeling supple. When we are inside all day, with dry, conditioned air pumped in, our skin gets dry and not holding in moisture, which can result in skin irritation and increase appearance of fine lines.
Increased hand-washing and showering.
More frequent hand-washing and increased showering can cause dry skin and scalp, resulting in skin flaking and dermatitis. Also, if your home has hard water (or high mineral content) that “squeaky clean” feeling after a shower is actually caused by mineral buildup and soap-scum on left on the skin. Moisturize after showering and apply a thicker lotion to hands at night and wear a pair of socks while sleeping to help cracking and irritation.
Lack of sun.
We all need a safe dose of natural Vitamin D, however don’t forget that UVA light penetrates window glass, eventually and may cause dark spots on the skin and increase fine lines. Additionally, it is thought that computer monitors and cell phone screens emit light that may cause similar changes. As such, it is important to continue with UV protection even when indoors.
Increased screen time.
Did you know we average 11 hours of screen time a day now? Wdatching television and being on tablets, phones and computers (how many zoom calls do you have this week?) can cause inflammation and accelerate skin aging. Being exposed to more HDV or blue light can be compared to being exposed to damaging UVA rays.
Limit your time as much as possible as this exposure can cause increased lines and wrinkles, sun spots, affect tone and hasten skin aging. We are exposed to different wavelengths of UVA light and blue light. Continued exposure can cause, worsening of melasma (brown spots), and development of fine lines or, in some cases, an increased risk of melanoma, or skin cancer.
Apply a broad-spectrum sun protection every day whether you are inside or plan to be outside for a while. Additionally, “tech neck,” or horizontal lines on the neck, are becoming more prevalent because of increased device usage. These are typically caused at least in part by reduced collagen production and dermal thickness—another potential side effect of UVA light—and can be combated with lasers, peels, or even using a product with a retinol.
Lack of or excessive exercise.
Exercise is key to our physical and mental health. Skipping exercise causes dreaded weight gain and skin condition suffers. It is critical that we continue exercising, even if indoors as it increases blood flow and circulation. And, though tempting to just relax afterwards, shower and clean skin with a gentle cleanser as sweat and dirt can clog pores and result in skin irritation or acne flare ups.
Lack of sleep.
Being home can definitely affect sleep patterns. Try to get as much sleep as possible and keep to your regular bedtime schedule. Though there is not a great amount of research on sleep and skin health we can see the effects of interruptions in sleep. Dark circles and changes in tone and condition and a sallow appearance become more obvious.
Breaking healthy habits.
A balanced diet is critical to skin health and appearance. Many diseases related to poor or improper nutrition, things like vitamin deficiencies and celiac disease, can be diagnosed just by skin appearance. Watch your food intake. It’s easy to snack during this time, so limit trips to the kitchen. Too much of a good thing, like milk or sugary treats, can cause acne breakouts and rosacea can act up. Plus, no one wants to “gain” the “COVID-19”! Also, cut back on your alcohol consumption. While it’s nice to relax with a glass of wine now and then, larger amounts cause toxins to accumulate in the skin, ultimately accelerating aging.
Wearing Masks
Now that we are required to wear masks, we may experience some irritation caused by sweat or repeated wear. Cleanse face in the morning and evening and wash or air masks frequently.
Stress!
The skin is not just a protective layer covering our bodies, it also tells us what is going on inside. Changes in systemic health affect skin health, and vice versa. Many common skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis will increase with stress. Increased hair fallout can also be a sign of stress.
SKIN TIPS FOR WOMEN PREGNANT DURING COVID.
Pregnancy-induced changes in skin are common. Darkening of facial skin, development of stretch marks and spider veins as well as acne breakouts are just a few things to deal with. Treatments for these conditions must be safe. Retinoids, for example, are contraindicated in pregnant patients. Wearing compression stockings and going for walks helps reduce development of spider veins in the legs; using products with lightening agents that are safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding can help minimize facial darkening, and using safe, oil-free cleansers helps with acne as well.
SKINCARE ADVICE FOR MEN DURING THIS TIME.
Because many men are not shaving as frequently right now, this can lead to increased pseudo-folliculitis and folliculitis, ingrown hair and clogged hair follicles, which can be painful. A simple regimen of facial cleansing is important to help prevent this. If you choose not to shave, a good cleanser and moisturizing regimen is important to protect hair-bearing skin.
A SIMPLIFIED, PERSONALIZED SKINCARE REGIMEN IS BEST.
We each have a different makeup, a different lifestyle, diet, sensitivities and living environment. There is no one size fits all approach. Identify your skin issues and educate yourself through research or speaking with a board-certified dermatologist as to what personalized regimen would be best for your individual skin type and concerns.
A daily cleanser washes away dirt and oil, allowing pores to breathe, lessening redness and irritation. And, with our newest fashion accessory, facial masks, more sweat and dirt will get caught in pores. Cotton masks are recommended as a better, more breathable choice and should washed often to avoid bacteria transferring to skin.
Moisturize. Skin is losing moisture from interior, dry air, facial masks or change in diets. Apply moisturizer after cleansing, especially if you are experiencing drier than normal skin. If your skin tends to be oilier, a little less moisturizer might be helpful at this time to avoid an increase in clogged pores or acne flare ups.
Implement a retinol-based product into your routine, depending on your skin needs and issues, to keep it in peak condition and, most importantly, apply a daily sunscreen product, or a day moisturizer with a Broad-Spectrum SPF level of at least 30. We are exposed to damaging UV rays, and the aforementioned blue light. Sitting by windows where bright sunlight streams in, can expose us to free radicals and additional skin damage, so yes, wear an SPF product even indoors.
Many may consider adding an eye cream to their regimens; however, a personalized moisturizer should be sufficient for this most delicate facial skin. As we age, we lose collagen, or elasticity in the skin, especially in the eye area. Avoid tugging and pulling near the eye or the eyelids to keep skin from stretching. We should be keeping our hands off our faces at all times, especially now.
Products like PROVEN, that are formulated based on a person’s individual needs including living environment, lifestyle, diet, stress levels, frequency of travel, as well as skin sensitivities will be most effective for maintaining youthful and healthy-looking skin. Go to provenskincare.com to take the complimentary skin quiz to discover your personalized skincare formulations.
Both Dr. Hollmig and CEO of PROVEN Skincare, Ming Zhao, remind us to stay safe and stay healthy.
