We all know too well that life has changed drastically from what we were used to before the pandemic came into the picture. Practically zero social events outside of video conferencing, students learning through a screen, and worrying about the health and safety of the ones we love. For a while there, our days looked and felt completely different. As we returned to some semblance of normal as we knew it, one transition that many formally commuting workers welcomed and did not want to change, was working from home.
Telecommuting has its ups and downs for sure. Yes, we have more time with the people around us, because we are not sitting in traffic beating our fists on the wheels as we watch another round of fender bender fun, or sitting next to a snoring, oversized commuter on the train who keeps leaning on you, but we’re also having to adapt to a new remote workflow. You might have noticed that you’ve worked longer hours than planned and feel more obligated to work at night or even on the weekends. To state the obvious, you might have been feeling a little more stressed than you thought you would. Eek!
That’s why self-care shouldn’t be a luxury. In this new normal, it should be an essential part of it. (Can I get an amen!)
Taking care of yourself in terms of your health and beauty is still important even if you’re cooped up indoors. It might seem like you wouldn’t need to do much since you won’t be dealing with pollution and too much sun, but it is a good idea to maintain a daily skin care routine. After all, you wouldn’t want to aggravate any sensitive skin issues and you’ll want to look confident and fresh even while you work remotely. Here are some quick beauty hacks and practical skincare tips that will help you achieve just that.
Cups Of Water Aplenty
As one of the largest organs in our body, our skin is made up of cells. And since cells are made of water, our skin wouldn’t look as supple and moist without a sufficient amount of hydration. Water isn’t just a liquid that we’re required to drink for survival, it also helps our skin and our body flush out the harmful toxins that can contribute to a dull complexion.
The rule of thumb is to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. If it’s a little too hot outside, it’s best to get a few more gulps in. A skin-specific way to hydrate is to use a serum like the one Jennifer at Celtic Complexion makes, after you cleanse and before you moisturize.
Reassess Your Skincare Routine
Now that you spend most of your time at home, take this opportunity to look through your toolbox of skincare and makeup products. If you have any half-used jars of beauty staples that have been opened for longer than six months to a year, depending on the item, throw them out. Keep in mind that expired beauty products are not only ineffective, they can also potentially put your skin at major risks such as skin irritation or infection.
Once you’ve done tossing out old products–it’s fun, trust us–and rearranging your skincare arsenal, it’s time to establish a simpler routine with products that are kinder to your skin.
Look into using natural skin care products with pure ingredients that are perfect for sensitive skin. These products are made to keep you looking and feeling youthful and fresh so you can always face the world with confidence, even if it’s just through a screen. Remember to smile as you look directly at the camera when speaking. People will feel like you are looking at them “face to face” and less like you are on a video call.
Keep Your Skin Clean & Exfoliated
There are two things that you should never deprive yourself and your skin of—cleansing and exfoliation. The key to healthy and glowing skin is that you have to start with proper cleaning. Even if you’re wearing minimal makeup or none at all, it’s still important to cleanse your face every morning and night. Find the right cleanser for you—one that won’t strip your face of its natural oils. Our Face Oilz is a natural, deep pore cleanser that removes every trace of makeup and creates a facial/spa-like experience, every time you use it.
Exfoliation will improve the appearance of your skin and help it glow with life. Certain exfoliation techniques, like an electric face buffing brush, should only be done two to three times per week, but a gentle sugar and oil-based scrub like ours can be used as often as you want, and from head to toe! Exfoliation gets rid of dead skin, deep cleans your clogged pores, and evens out your skin tone. Polishing the skin like this also helps other skincare products penetrate deeper for maximum results.
Always Moisturize
To keep your skin smooth and to further its glowing complexion, a facial moisturizer is your best bet. With the proper moisturizer, your skin restores its balance, helping you prevent breakouts and premature signs of aging.
Moisturizers can be applied both day and night but we recommend a lighter one for day and a thicker one for some overnight sensation. For your daytime moisturizer, it’s best to choose one that will nourish and hydrate without feeling too greasy. Our Oilz+ is the perfect choice! 8 scents to choose from or unscented. You can even create a specialty fragrance, because you are pretty special. Don’t forget sun protection even when indoors. A favorite around here is to use mineral makeup/foundation because it has built in sunscreen, usually 30+ SPF, to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Yes, you’ll still have to deal with the sun even when you’re indoors because UV rays pass through glass windows.
Before you sleep, layer on a thicker moisturizer, like Bye Bye Bagz, on your face. Night creams are effective in encouraging your skin to repair itself from the inside out as it speeds up cellular turnover. These also quell inflammation, soften fine lines and kickstart collagen production. With the right night cream, you’ll wake up to moisturized and plump skin.
Consistency Is The Answer
The trick to a wonderful complexion and smoother, brighter, and more radiant skin is consistency. Beautiful skin takes time and for your skincare regimen to be effective, you have to be persistent.
To help you be more consistent with your routine, keep all your products in one place where you will always see them. You can also go as far as setting reminders on your phone. If you don’t have time for the whole shebang, at the very least, stick to the basics.
Aside from what’s listed above, remember to eat healthfully—what you give to your body will manifest on your skin. Now that you’re spending more time at home, there are far fewer temptations or excuses to satisfy your cravings and eat food that is not good for your skin and body. Keep your pantry stocked with the good stuff!
Take the time to work out as sweating helps in removing toxins from your body, making your skin feel fresher than ever.
And last, but not least, sleep. The idea of “beauty sleep” is a real thing. Go to bed early and stick to a consistent sleep schedule. Avoid long hours of scrolling through your phone mindlessly. If you ever find yourself doing this, just remember that sleep helps heal, repair, and renew your skin let alone your body and mind.
I hope you enjoyed these 5 Tips to Looking Fresh From Home! After all, you deserve to feel good and confident about yourself! Go to our skincare and how-to videos and learn more skincare tips.
Guest post by Arleen Atienza