CONQUERING THE GREAT INDOORS

We’ve all been spending more time than usual inside, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, and while that means our skin is exposed to fewer environmental pollutants (yay!), there are other things that can wreak havoc.

The drying effect of re-circulated air, disruptions in your regular skin care routine, increased hand washing, and the added stress caused by the pandemic can all have ill effects on the health of your skin. Here’s how to make the indoors work for you…

STAY HYDRATED /

Drinking those eight glasses of water a day is one of the easiest things you can do for your overall health, including the health of your skin.

BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF /

This is not a time to be vigorous with your skin. Mild cleansers and scrubs, like our SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser, are great at removing dirt and other impurities while soothing dry, sensitive skin. Check out our range of cleansers, all of which do the job while keeping skin properly hydrated. 

DON’T COMPROMISE – MOISTURISE /

Moisturisers are a staple of healthy skin. Our SkinCeuticals range nourishes dry skin, balancing its natural ecosystem and restoring radiance.

MAKE SERUMS YOUR SAVIOUR /

Serums are a critical addition to your skin care arsenal during this pandemic, and we’ve got a wide range to choose from! With more time being spent on screens, they help protect your skin against the harmful glare of tech devices. If you don’t have a serum readily available, sunscreen can also offer you solid protection.

DON’T LAPSE /

It’s important to keep your regular skin care products replenished in order to avoid gaps in your routine. If you prefer not to physically venture out, our online store allows you to order whatever you need, and we’ll deliver your supplies to you!

DON'T BE RASH!

Activities like gardening, mountain biking, family hikes, or nature walks with proper safety measures in place can all help boost our immune systems with healthy doses of Vitamin D, but they also put skin at risk of conditions like rashes and overexposure to the sun… 

HEAT RASH /

Hot weather increases the likelihood of blocked sweat glands, which cause this itchy, goosebump-like rash to appear. When our beaches were open, the combination of layers of thick sunscreen and snug-fitting rash guards caused quite a few heat rash outbreaks, especially in children – but averting heat rash is simple:

·       Opt for light, loose clothing

·       Schedule outdoor activity anytime outside of the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. window (the hottest part of the day)

·       Apply sunscreen (choose from our SkinCeuticals range, which offers broad spectrum coverage while still being weightless enough to avoid clogging pores)

·       Keep your environment as cool as possible (leave windows open so air can circulate, turn on fans/air conditioners when necessary)

·       Take cool showers

SUNBURN /

In tropical climates like the Caribbean, sunburn is all too common, which is why we’re staunch advocates of these prevention methods:

·       Be vigilant with the sunscreen (whichever product you use should be at least SPF 30; reapply every two hours or so when outdoors)

·       Stay in shady spots as much as much as possible

·       Choose protective accessories (sunglasses, hats and face masks help shield sensitive areas) 

If you’re already suffering from sunburn:

·       Treat the area with cool compresses

·       Take intermittent cool showers several times a day to ease the stinging (if the pressure of the water on your skin is too much, try soaking in a tub instead)

·       Moisturise the area with our SkinCeuticals Daily Moisturizer, which hydrates deeply but feels light on the skin

INSECT BITES /

Bugs are an expected part of living in the tropics; though most are harmless, some insect encounters can be irritating or – in the case of mosquitoes, for example, which can transmit serious diseases like dengue fever – downright dangerous:

·       Cover up as much as possible (when venturing into bushy areas, wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and closed-up shoes)

·       Bring out the insect repellent (make sure the active ingredients contain at least 20% DEET)

·       For bites like bee stings, over-the-counter painkillers that contain ibuprofen are effective, as is taking an antihistamine like Piriton

·       For mosquito bites (and others that itch), hydrocortisone creams are the way to go

If these at-home remedies are not working, however, and the rash gets worse, please give us a call so that one of our dermatologists can take a closer look and recommend a suitable course of treatment. Rest assured that we are stringent when it comes to COVID-19 safety protocols.

CORRECT YOUR NECK

Quick! Name the area that can most quickly give away your age. Hint: it’s a real pain in the neck – but now, thanks to SkinCeuticals Tripeptide-R Neck Repair, those days are over!

Using a high performance, slow-release, retinol-based formula, Tripeptide-R Neck Repair firms up skin in the neck area and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and horizontal lines, effectively intercepting both early and advanced signs of ageing.

Other active ingredients strengthen skin’s cells and allow for improved absorption of the formula, making skin visibly firmer and more resilient.

Great for all skin types; just use once a day to improve wrinkled, sun-damaged or sagging neck skin – and reclaim your confidence!

Our stock should be here by the end of the month; call us to reserve your bottle, or ask us to hold one for you via our online Order Form.

AS IF COVID-19 WEREN’T ENOUGH, HERE COMES ‘MASKNE’

Breakouts caused by the wearing of face masks are now a thing. The consistent rubbing of the fabric against our faces causes irritation, making it easier for dirt and bacteria to clog pores – especially in the hot, moist environment masks create. Some people find it hard to breathe under a mask; your skin is no different. Yet, with the community spread of COVID-19, masks are a useful and necessary public health measure; here’s how to wear them without sacrificing your skin…

CLEANSING IS CRUCIAL /

Cleansers that gently exfoliate while decongesting pores will go a long way to maintaining skin’s equilibrium, making it much less susceptible to ‘maskne’. Be sure to cleanse your face both before and after wearing a mask, and to hand-wash your mask with gentle detergent after each use.

USE THE RIGHT MOISTURISER /

Lightweight, water-based moisturisers protect your skin without causing irritation, and SkinCeuticals Daily Moisturizer fits the bill beautifully! It offers long-lasting hydration and feels so light you’ll forget you’re even wearing it.

SKIP THE MAKEUP /

We’re trying to get skin to breathe as much as possible, so if you can avoid applying heavy makeup, please do. Most foundations also tend to rub off on the mask, which is not hygienic.

If you must wear makeup, choose light, non-comedogenic formulas like SkinCeuticals Dermablend, which do not clog pores but still offer good coverage.  Don’t forget to clean your bushes regularly.

We have various products from the Dermablend line in stock; give us a call and we’ll help you figure out which are the best match for your skin.

Stay safe!