So here we are knee deep and back in lockdown 2.0, except this time it’s inky and wintery outside, which can leave us all feeling pretty low, especially as the lack of sleep from worry and wearing masks have lots of us with maskne (mask induced acne).
Mask life and lockdown this time round feels more “normal” and less like we are living in a post apocalyptic movie. However, people’s stress, anxiety, maskne and spots still are an issue, which won’t go away. So why are so many of us suffering from skin breakouts. The last time I had spots was when Dawson’s Creek was on TV the first time round and not now, it’s on Netflix.
According to skincare expert Nichola Joss, (book now for an online skin consultation), the reason we are all breaking out is because when wearing masks, “ it creates a warm damp atmosphere, which creates bacteria growth. Spots can also occur on the area where the mask is sitting against the side of the face and behind the ears, which is due to the mask rubbing against the mouth which causes irritation. Do not squeeze these spots, make sure your skincare includes products that will increase the health of the microbiome and skin barrier by using ingredients such as pre and probiotics. Also use gentle exfoliating products with AHA/BHA’s & Salicylic acid, which is also antibacterial. However, make sure you do not over use these products as it has the potential to make the skin irritated”.
Deep Cleanse
Deep cleansing the skin is key when tackling maskne. Make sure to double cleanse the skin and include some gentle exfoliation into your skin regime. I love Oskia, Renaissance Cleansing Gel, £15 for 35ml. This cult cleanser helps to brighten, strengthen and revitalise the skin with vitamin C, vitamin E and starflower oil, a rich source of omega 6 to help with inflammation.
When thinking of exfoliation, don’t go OTT and further irritate the skin, instead think consistent and gentle. Alex Steinherr x Primark, Green Tea Konjac Sponge, £1.50, is great at refreshing and refining the skin. Green tea is known for helping to soothe and decongest the skin and is full of anti- oxidants. Use this great beauty tool when your skin needs a little TLC.
I love to use a balm cleanser at night to take the day off and give my skin a relaxing decongesting facial massage. The Body Shop, Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter, £11, is not only great for removing your make up including stubborn mascara but is also great for sensitive skin. I love to cup my hands over my mouth and do some deep breathing as camomile has been used for centuries to calm frazzled nerves.
On the Spot Treatment
A lack of sleep, stress and dirty masks have led to many of us noticing rogue blemishes for the first time. Oskia founder Georgie Cleeve explains, “stress triggers an enormous amount of chemical processes within the body and directly effects the skin. One key chemical involved is Cortisol, which negatively effects skin regeneration. This is why when we are stressed, spots appear, and conditions such as acne and eczema become worse”.
If watching the news on a loop, not sleeping, mask life and getting stressed out is giving you spots, don’t pick, instead reach for an on the spot treatment to help. When I have a blemish I reach for Ren Clean Skincare Clearcalm Non- Drying Spot Treatment 15ml, £17.50, to stop it going nuclear and causing hyper pigmentation as it contains with willow bark, maritime pine and prebiotics to help rebalance the skin’s microbiome.
You can also reach for Breakout Box by Patchology, £18, this multi tasking breakout kit contains spot shrinking patches laced with exfoliating salicylic acid, anti bacterial tea tree and volcanic ash to help reduce inflammation. You can also treat spots by dabbing on ESPA Purifying Tea Tree Gel 50ml, £24, which is also great for gently treating blemish flare ups with tea tree oil, thyme and evening primrose to help soothe the skin.
Masking and Mist
I love to add a face mask into my skincare regime when my skin needs a little more support. When it comes to maskne soothing, hydrating and gently exfoliating face masks will all help to clear flare ups. Oats are a great anti inflammatory ingredient in both your breakfast bowl and on your face. Slather The Body Shop Mediterranean Almond Milk with Oats Instant Soothing Mask, £18, to help soothe irritated, dry and itchy skin. The mask is based on an ancient Roman recipe, which I love. The creamy mask has a porridge like texture with Community Fair Trade organic almond milk from Spain, Community Fair Trade organic aloe vera from Mexico and Community Fair Trade shea butter from Ghana.
For a totally decadent skin treat invest in Face Paints Blue by Dr David Jack, £139. This treatment and peel is packed full of potent ingredients from Harley street renowned aesthetic doctor. This at home peel isn’t cheap but helps with fine lines, wrinkles, hydrates and gives the skin some gentle exfoliation with hyaluronic acid, azelaic acid, kaolin and vitamin B5.
Having a bottle of face mist, which lives in your handbag or desk is another great way to tackle maskne. Odacite founder Valerie Grandury explains when it comes to maskne it’s about, “calming, hydrating and balancing the skin. Beauty is also about emotions when you’re happy you feel better”. Spritz your face throughout the day with Rose Neroli Hydra-Vitalizing Treatment Mist by Odacité, £39, www.spacenk.com. Sebum balancing rose water, hydrating aloe vera juice and spirit lifting neroli all help to bring balance to your skin and mood.
All about the Eyes: Protect & Soothe
It’s been reported there’s been increased number of people rushing to have tweakments, as wearing masks, zoom face (constantly seeing your face in meetings) and stress has all taken a toll on our delicate eye area. Dr Sabrina Shah Desi of Perfect Eyes, who I love and trust with my face www.perfecteyesltd.com agrees, “ after the first lockdown I definitely saw an increase in people coming to see me for treatment. When it comes to dark circles which is under eye hyper pigmentation and soft tissue aging changes, you should try and protect and preserve the under eye area with specially formulated eye care. Dermal fillers and surgery are also other options”. The delicate skin around the eye area can take a battering from the rubbing from masks and worry. I use SkinCeuticals AOX+ Eye Gel, £77, www.skinceuticals.co.uk. I love the fact it has a light serum texture, as many thicker eye creams make me break out. This vitamin C rich gel is great at helping with under eye bags and puffiness.
Aurelia Brightening Eye Serum, £48, www.aureliaskincare.com, is also another great non sticky eye serum, which helps brighten the eye area with skin plumping hyaluronic acid, arnica extract to help manage dark circles and skin nourishing shea butter. For a creamy and luxurious eye treatment, try The Body Shop Vitamin E Eye Cream, £13, www.thebodyshop.com. This iconic formula uses hyaluronic acid, vitamin E to help refresh and protect the skin around your eyes.
Colour Therapy
Colour cosmetics are my happy place. I always find solace and fun when smearing my face in fun uplifting colours. With mask life, it’s all about the eyes. Invest in some great palettes like The Body Shop, Bold As Nature Eyeshadow Palette, £15, www.thebodyshop.com. These earthy rich, warm tones look great on all skin tones and are great for creating smokey eyes. For a calorie free chocolate overload Huda Beauty, Naughty Nude Eyeshadow Palette, £58, www.boots.com, actually made me gasp when I opened her up. It felt like breaking open a bar of delicious chocolate with all the different finishes, shimmers, browns and rose golds, which has my name all over it. If a palette is too much like hard work, try slicking on some colourful eyeliner to make your eye make up pop. I love Daniel Sandler (he did my wedding make up many moons ago and made me look like the best version of myself ) Waterproof Eyeliner in Green Velvet, £9.95, www.lookfantastic.com. A little touch of green looks great on all skin tones and is more unexpected than brown or black for a colourful pick me up.
Enjoy and this too shall pass.
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