Reassess Your Skincare Routine

After the pandemic, your wardrobes probably contains more lounge wear than business wear. But COVID-19 has changed more than what we wear — it's affected how we care for our skin and what kind of cosmetics we wear (if we bother to wear makeup anymore, that is). Are you washing your hair as much or as little as before? Have you forgone daily shaving? You've probably scaled back on certain methods, or picked up habits that you want to keep up.

Skincare and cosmeceuticals

If skincare wasn't popular before, 2020 sent it skyrocketing. As the country seemed to shut down and quarantines became the norm, full faces of makeup turned into a thing of the past. Thus, enter the world of face masks, toners and oils. But with mask mandates lifting, and hopefully the end of 'mascne', it's time to consider which habits to keep and how to make some of these trends work for you.

If you stopped wearing makeup during the pandemic, perhaps you noticed positive skin benefits. But, let's face it, sometimes you just want some extra coverage — especially as the world opens up again. If you don't want to forgo the skincare, choose makeup infused with skincare easily found at drugstores. If you put something on your face, make sure it does something for you aside from boosting your appearance.

To keep up your skincare, consider using some of the following:

• Hydrating face masks
• Gentle cleansers
• Toners
• Moisturizers
• Eye patches
• Face oils

Whichever skincare trends you've picked up, adopt some of these healthy habits and make them work for you as you prepare to reenter the workforce or school in person.

Products are not the only thing that can affect or improve your skin. Stress from the pandemic might have caused breakouts, not to mention acne from constant mask-wearing. Utilize these other tips to help your skin:

• Embrace your natural state! A low maintenance look is easy to get accustomed to, and oftentimes is best for your optimum skin health.
• Get a facial. Facials are incredibly soothing and beneficial for your skin. They can relieve tension, improve circulation and add to the quality of overall skin health.
• Limit your fat and sugar intake. A diet high in fat and sugar is bad for your skin and can cause flare ups. Eat a clean diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meat.
• Use sunscreen. Protect your skin every day. Use SPF moisturizers and creams to help block out harmful rays that can damage skin follicles and cause wrinkles.  Stay hydrated. If you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated. Drink more water than you think you need and eat lots of fruits and vegetables (like watermelon and cucumbers). Water restores, cleanses and repairs cell damage.
• Throw out old makeup. Old makeup can irritate and cause infection, so make sure to check expiration dates of your favorite cosmetic items.

A healthy life can help you get healthy skin. Don't get discouraged by occasional acne or pimples — it's normal. Especially when induced by stress or hormones.

Now is a great time to reassess the methods and habits that can help you feel your best. Find ways to implement good habits gained over the past year and a half, and approach in-person gatherings, appointments or work with confidence.

This article first appeared in the August 2021 edition of the HealthPerks newsletter.