7 Skin Care Steps You Should Never Skip Even If You’re WFH

Feature Image by Kevin Laminto

While being quarantined at home means it’s easy to indulge in those ‘lazy weekend habits’ (aka not washing your face!), it’s crucial to be consistent with your everyday skin care routine.

“Changing up your routine may stress out your skin, leading to texture, hydration changes, and even skin breakouts,” she says. “Sure, you can cut back on the extras, but always be sure to keep up with the basics,” says board-certified dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, FAAD.

To help keep your skin on track, we talked with Shainhouse (and other dermatologists!) about all the important skin care steps you’ll want to stay on top of as you continue to spend more time indoors.

Washing your face
Although it’s easy to assume that you only need to wash your face once a day, it’s actually good practice to wash your face twice a day. “Don’t forget to wash your face at night, as you’ll want to remove dirt, pollution, and makeup from the daytime,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Patricia Farris, MD tells FabFitFun. “Nighttime is also the ideal time for skin repair, so your regimen should include products containing retinoids, peptides or growth factors.”

Exfoliating
Despite staying indoors, your skin still needs help leaving behind the cells that are waiting to be shed, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nava Greenfield, MD. “If you skip this step when working from home, you may find yourself with breakouts due to the buildup of cells in your oil glands,” she tells FabFitFun.

Moisturizer
Moisturizing products are an essential part of any skin care regimen, as a 2016 study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, suggested that an ideal moisturizer restores the skin’s lipid barrier and absorbs immediately into the skin. Additionally, using a moisturizer daily can also promote anti-aging benefits. Dermatologic surgeon Dr. Howard Sobel, MD, tells FabFitFun, “Hydrated skin prevents wrinkles, keeping your skin soft and supple. Even those with oily skin should refrain from skipping out on moisturizer, as less moisture being added to the skin actually causes more oil to be produced.”

Sunscreen
Everyone needs adequate sunscreen protection, as a 2018 article published from the Skin Cancer Foundation suggests that wearing sunscreen with SPF 30 (and higher) helps protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet light including UVA and UVB rays. While you may think sunscreen is only necessary when you’re outdoors for a long period of time, Sobel suggests that you still need to wear sunscreen indoors, as he says both UVA/UVB rays can be equally harmful from windows.

Eye cream
As we grow older, the skin underneath our eyes tends to show signs of aging first, as a 2015 study published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, suggested that once the under-eye area becomes thinner (due to a loss of collagen), fine lines and wrinkles can come into play. This makes it important to invest in a good eye cream or serum, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Adam Mamelak, MD, as these products can treat fine wrinkles, dark circles, and under-eye bags effectively. “Whether targeting an active concern or using these in a preventative manner, eye creams can be incorporated in a morning or nighttime skin care regimen easily,” Mamelak tells FabFitFun.

Retinoid
If you aren’t already using a retinoid product (which includes retinol), Shainouse says that now is probably a good time to start, as continuous use of this popular skin care ingredient helps promote clear and radiant-looking skin overtime.  “This is a great time to get back into the habit of using retinoids since you now have the downtime to get a little dry and scaly, as your skin builds up a tolerance,” she tells FabFitFun.

Drinking water
While an extra glass of wine may seem appropriate given the circumstances, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Purvisha Patel, MD, FAAD, FASDS, FACMS, tells FabFitFun that it’s equally important to stay hydrated, as drinking enough water helps to hydrate both the body and skin. “Make sure that you continue to nourish your skin health by drinking six glasses of water (hydrates the body and skin),” she advises.

xx, The FabFitFun Team