Caring for skin during home quarantine during pandemic

Self-quarantine leaves your skin untouched by outside air and pollution. So, your skin should stay clean, healthy and well glowing. However, it turns out that not a few have experienced skin problems such as acne and pimples breakout even though you have tried to treat your skin during quarantine at home.

Your routine changes drastically during self-quarantine. You may also experience diet changes, stress, and sleep problems. All of these changes can unwittingly affect skin health, even being the mastermind behind endless pimples. How to handle it?

Why is the skin so problematic during quarantine?

Pollution and the outside air are not the only factors causing skin problems. The air inside the house is often drier than the outside air, especially if you install an air conditioner or an air heater that keeps the air spinning there.

The skin needs air with enough moisture. If the air at home is too dry, your skin will also become dry and prone to skin problems. Usually, dry skin is more prone to rashes and this can make eczema symptoms worse.

The cleaning products you use at home also matter. During your quarantine, you may shower, wash your hands, and clean your house more frequently. This activity makes the skin often exposed to soap whose ingredients are not necessarily soft enough.

Soap can change the pH of the skin and irritate the skin's protective barrier, which is made up of fats and carbohydrates. Over time, the skin can lose its protective layer. The skin also becomes drier, is easily damaged, and is even susceptible to bacteria.

Sometimes, products skincare What you use to treat your skin during quarantine can also cause new problems. Instead of making skin healthier, routine skincare which changes make your skin 'shock' and actually causes it breakout.

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Not to mention the habit of holding the face that appears without realizing it. When at home and not using makeup or doing activities, you will touch your face more often. This habit can make facial skin inflamed and acne prone.

In some people, skin problems can also stem from pandemic stress, lack of movement, lack of sleep, and indiscriminate eating. All of these factors, plus dry and inflamed skin, make acne seem endless.

How to care for skin when quarantine at home

Your skin represents your current health. You don't want the quarantine period that should keep you healthy and cause new problems. Here are some ways you can take care of your skin at home:

1. Using a mild soap and moisturizer

Each soap is designed for different parts of the body and skin types. Soap for the body and hands are usually not gentle enough for the face. So, use a special hand soap for washing hands, as well as soap facial wash to wash your face.

Don't forget to use a moisturizer after you shower, wash your hands, or wash your face. Choose a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid (hyaluronic acid), antioxidants, or vitamin C to prevent dry, cracked skin.

2. Exfoliate the skin regularly

Caring for skin when quarantine is incomplete without exfoliating. Exfoliating aims to clean dead skin cells that can clog pores. Apart from that, exfoliating also helps the product skincare absorbs better into the skin.

Exfoliation can be done with scrub or use products made from AHA and BHA. You can also create scrub natural from honey and sugar mixed with warm water. Use regularly, at least twice a week.

3. Manage stress

The body releases the hormone cortisol when stressed. This hormone disrupts the work of the immune system and causes inflammation, including in the skin. Stress sometimes also triggers the habit of touching the skin without realizing it. As a result, skin problems can get worse.

Stress is unavoidable, but you can manage it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests several ways to manage stress during a pandemic, including:

Temporarily not watching, reading, or listening to news about the pandemic.
Do other activities that you enjoy.
Take care of yourself with meditation, breathing techniques, and eating nutritious foods.
Stay in touch with those closest to you.

4. Get enough sleep

Self-quarantine makes it harder for many people to sleep. In fact, lack of sleep can trigger the release of the hormone cortisol, inhibit collagen production, and make skin drier. Skin becomes easier to experience breakout, allergic reactions, and rashes.

As much as possible, you need to get enough sleep if you want to care for your skin during the quarantine period. Try setting an alarm so that you go to sleep and wake up at regular hours. Avoid playing gadget before going to bed, and take the steps sleep hygiene.

5. Exercise

Exercise causes your body to release endorphins, which are hormones that induce feelings of happiness. This activity also breaks down cortisol so that it prevents inflammation throughout your body and skin.

There are many indoor exercises you can try during quarantine. After exercising, make sure you shower and wash your face immediately so that sweat doesn't accumulate in the skin pores.

6. Eat foods that are good for the skin

Certain foods can help you care for your skin during quarantine. Conversely, there are also types of foods that need to be limited because they can exacerbate skin problems. The best types of food for the skin include:

Fruits berries, especially strawberries and blueberries
Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, flaxseeds, and chia seeds
Vegetables rich in vitamin A, such as red bell peppers, yellow peppers, and tomatoes
Green vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli
Dark chocolate

Limit foods and drinks that are too sweet. Sugary foods can raise blood sugar levels, trigger a rise in the hormone insulin, and cause inflammation that makes skin problems worse.

Physical distancing can affect your entire body, and your skin is no exception. Although the skin is safe from outside air and pollution, factors such as dry air, the soap products you use, and the habit of touching your face can trigger skin problems.

You can overcome this with a combination of routines skincare and the steps above. Complete it by adjusting your diet, exercise, and getting enough rest when caring for your skin during quarantine at home.

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