While being quarantined at home means it’s easy to indulge in those ‘lazy weekend habits’ (aka not washing your face!),\u00a0it’s crucial to be consistent with your everyday skin care routine.<\/p>\n
\u201cChanging up your routine may stress out your skin, leading to texture, hydration changes, and even skin breakouts,\u201d she says. \u201cSure, you can cut back on the extras, but always be sure to keep up with the basics,” says\u00a0board-certified dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, FAAD<\/a>.<\/p>\n To help keep your skin on track, we talked with Shainhouse (and other dermatologists!) about all the important skin care steps you\u2019ll want to stay on top of as you continue to spend more time indoors.<\/p>\n Washing your face<\/strong> Exfoliating Moisturizer Sunscreen Eye cream Retinoid
\nAlthough it\u2019s easy to assume that you only need to wash your face once a day, it\u2019s actually good practice to wash your face twice a day. \u201cDon\u2019t forget to wash your face at night, as you\u2019ll want to remove dirt, pollution, and makeup from the daytime,\u201d\u00a0board-certified dermatologist Dr. Patricia Farris, MD<\/a> tells FabFitFun. \u201cNighttime is also the ideal time for skin repair, so your regimen should include products containing retinoids, peptides or growth factors.”<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>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<\/a>. \u201cIf you skip this step when working from home, you may find yourself with breakouts due to the buildup of cells in your oil glands,\u201d she tells FabFitFun.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>Moisturizing products are an essential part of any skin care regimen, as a 2016 study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology<\/em><\/a>, suggested that an ideal moisturizer restores the skin\u2019s lipid barrier and absorbs immediately into the skin. Additionally, using a moisturizer daily can also promote anti-aging benefits.\u00a0Dermatologic surgeon Dr. Howard Sobel, MD<\/a>, tells FabFitFun, \u201cHydrated 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Everyone needs adequate sunscreen protection, as a 2018 article published from the Skin Cancer Foundation<\/a> 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\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>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<\/em><\/a>, 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<\/a>, as these products can treat fine wrinkles, dark circles, and under-eye bags effectively. \u201cWhether 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,”\u00a0Mamelak tells FabFitFun.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>If you aren\u2019t 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.\u00a0 \u201cThis 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,\u201d she tells FabFitFun.<\/p>\n