Skincare mistakes to avoid in lockdown
KATIE WRIGHT LEARNS THE DOS AND DON’TS OF A HEALTHY COMPLEXION
WHETHER you’ve stripped back your beauty regime recently, or taken time to indulge in some pandemic pampering, it’s easy to make mistakes when it comes to looking after your skin.
Here, experts offer their advice on how to care for your complexion during lockdown, and reveal the skin sins to avoid.
1.Don’t forget SPF
“The sun can cause damage to our skin 365 days a year,” says tanning expert Amanda Harrington. “It is so important to wear SPF every day to protect our skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays that cause premature ageing and skin cancer.” Even sitting by a window inside exposes your skin, so always end your morning skincare routine with SPF.
■ Paula’s Choice Defense moisturiser SPF 30, £30
2. Turn down the heat
“Even though it might feel like a spa experience, steaming your skin with hot water is always a problem. Heat ends up causing irritation and that damages skin,” says Paula Begoun, founder of Paula’s Choice.
Washing your face with a gentle cleanser and tepid or warm water will open your pores without damaging skin from steam heat.
Similarly, a long, hot soak in the tub can dehydrate your skin, according to Armelle Souraud, international scientific communications director at Chanel. Opt for showers instead, and go for lukewarm, rather than hot.
3. Don’t aggravate your maskne
Suffering with ‘maskne’, spots caused by wearing a face covering? Abigail Williams, national education manager at Caudalie, say: “It is important to refrain from squeezing and picking your pimples, as this can lead to scarring. Instead, opt for formulas containing salicylic acid, which will exfoliate dead skin cells and deeply cleanse the pores to prevent breakouts.”
Don’t be tempted to scrub your spots with harsh exfoliators either, warns celebrity facialist Su-Man: “The best thing is to just use a gentle polish two or three times per week, to remove the dead cells and prevent maskne.”
■ Caudalie Vinopure Blemish Control Infusion serum, £29
4. Keep it simple
“It’s great to have a little more time for self-care and skincare rituals, but it’s important not to overdo it,” says Pamoja skincare founder Sarah Taylor. “Your skin can become easily overwhelmed if you use too many products, or layer ingredients that are not compatible with one another. Stick to a simple skincare routine that’s suitable for your skin type.”
5. Don’t abandon your routine
Even if you have been wearing less make-up than usual at the moment, you should still give your skin a bit of TLC twice a day.
“My advice is do not stop your skincare routine just because you are not leaving the house,” says National Midwifery Council registered independent nurse prescriber and lifestyle consultant, who runs the Natali Kelly clinic in London’s Knightsbridge.
Liz Warom, co-founder of Templespa, adds: “We still need to remove daily dirt from the surface of the skin, despite being indoors more. Indoor pollutants such as dirt, dust and gases contribute to skin ageing, dehydration and inflammation.”
■ Templespa Be Gone cleanser (above), £21
6. Stay hydrated
After cleansing, your complexion needs a good glug of moisturiser.
“The combination of cold weather and central heating often means an increase in sensitivity and dryness and, as a result, extra moisture is a must,” says Natali.
7. Don’t neglect your hands
“All the washing and hand sanitiser dries out the skin, and in the cold weather, more people are experiencing cracked hands,” says Dr Nina Bal, of skincare clinic Facial Sculpting. “You should choose hand gel sanitisers, which are not too drying, and use a hand cream daily to keep your hands hydrated.”
8. Don’t ignore your moles
It’s important not to ignore any signs of serious skin concerns.
“Skin cancer can be quite hard to detect, as it’s frequently not itchy nor painful,” says Dr Hiba Injibar, founder of Dermasurge.
“We advise people to keep an eye on their moles using a fulllength mirror, checking every part of their body using the ABCDE technique.”
Have moles become asymmetrical; has the border become irregular; has the colour changed; has the diameter grown; is the appearance evolving?
Contact your GP if you are concerned.