Confinement changes our way of life. It involves changes for our body and particularly for our skin . Some of them are positive: the skin is less exposed to atmospheric pollution because outings are less frequent and the overall drop in activity makes these particles less present in the air. On the other hand, staying at home, moving less, eating differently and experiencing unusual stress are not without consequences on the epidermis . And depending on each skin type, the impact of these lifestyle changes will have different repercussions.
Pay attention to indoor air quality
We spend our days indoors, but the air there is often much more polluted than outside . According to the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education (INPES), indoor pollutants can be of different types: polluting substances released by our furniture, paints, clothing but also fumes from household products or even smoke from cigarette. And these pollutants constitute agents of aggression for our skin. To avoid their accumulation, the solution is to air twice a day for 5 minutes . This helps renew the air and eliminate this pollution.
Manage the stress inherent in this situation
More surprisingly, stress in the broad sense also has an impact on our skin. It causes increased secretion of molecules responsible for inflammation. And their influence is different depending on the skin type. Result: Acne-prone skin will be more prone to imperfections. And sensitive atopic skin will see this problem accentuated. To counter these effects, you must maintain your skincare routine, use agentle soap-free cleanser and moisturize the skin with a suitable perfume-free treatment . In addition, yoga or meditation can be valuable aids in reducing stress and, therefore, reducing its impact on the skin.
Limit exposure to screens
We naturally spend more time in front of our screens (teleworking, social networks to stay in touch with those close to us, but also television, a source of information and distraction). Exposure to blue light is therefore greatly increased. Gold this exposure is not without effect on our skin . It causes oxidative stress: many free radicals are produced and cannot be dealt with by the body's defense mechanisms because they are overwhelmed. This causes damage to the skin, increasing the inflammatory process responsible for outbreaks of acne or hypersensitive skin. In fact, these effects correspond to those of too intense solar exposure . To limit them, it is important to minimize, as much as possible, exposure to screens. Moreover, daily use of an antioxidant treatment will help the skin manage these excess free radicals.
Choosing a healthy diet
A change in diet can quickly cause harmful effects on the skin . It may appear oilier or spots may appear. To avoid these inconveniences, some adjustments are necessary: consume antioxidant fruits and vegetables daily (oranges, peppers, red fruits), reduce foods that increase inflammation. This is the case for saturated animal fats (cheese, cold meats, red meat, etc.) and fast sugars (cakes, sweets, etc.). On the other hand, the consumption of unsaturated fats of plant origin has an anti-inflammatory effect. This is borage or rapeseed oil for example. They have a positive influence on both acne breakouts and atopic skin problems.
Choosing suitable cosmetics
During this particular period, the skin undergoes new constraints . It is therefore important to use the “right” cosmetics. Although the requests are different from the usual ones, their consequences are the same. Maintaining your skincare routine and possibly adapting it remains the priority. Two stages are of particular importance:
Gentle and effective makeup removal Gentle and effective makeup removal is the basic step for removing makeup, oily substances and pollutants. This allows the skin to breathe and regenerate. Micellar water is an excellent makeup remover but a soap-free cleansing cream can also constitute the first step of its ritual. It leaves skin clear, hydrated and soothed. We opt for high-tolerance formulas that respect sensitive skin.
Skin hydration is also a key step. If the skin is more sensitive to acne during this period, global care can be a good alternative. In fact, it reduces inflammation due to stress, pollution or even blue light . Its “anti-acne” active ingredients associated with the AKN-Block complex promote lasting normalization while providing the comfort of well-hydrated skin. On the other hand, if it is dry, a 3D hydration treatment to strengthen the hydrolipidic film and consolidate the epidermal cement will provide the “long-term” hydration that the skin then needs. The Hydralina treatment with its different textures is the ideal treatment to facilitate the skin's return to its natural balance.
