Looking After Your Skin During Lockdown

Tuesday, 3rd November 2020

With the news of a second lockdown, it’s with a heavy heart that we have to close the doors to Inside Spa once again. We know you’ve enjoyed our facials since reopening but just because we’ll be closed for a while, doesn’t mean your skincare has to suffer.

We all know that cleansing, toning and moisturising is something we should do daily… but why?

A quick once-over with a face wipe and a dab of moisturiser is often all we manage, but is that really the best solution for your skin?

Being stuck indoors during this second, winter lockdown with the heating on can result in your skin becoming dry and dehydrated. For help taking care of your skin over the next few weeks, follow our five easy steps…

Step One: CLEANSE

Wash your face twice a day to keep your skin clean and clear. Cleansing in the morning removes overnight sweat, while evening cleansing eliminates make-up and dirt. It also prepares your skin for absorbing moisturisers. If you wear make-up, double cleansing will remove any product traces.

Pro tip: Avoid make-up wipes! They rarely get rid of make-up fully and can spread bacteria around the face. They also contain chemicals to keep them moist.

Step Two: TONE

The job of a toner is to rebalance the pH level of your skin and act as a humectant. Humectants are ingredients often found in toners that gently draw moisture from deeper layers of skin to the top layers, improving your skin’s appearance.

Pro tip: Opt for an alcohol-free toner. Alcohol can dry the skin, which then produces more oil to compensate.

Step Three: EXFOLIATE

You only need to exfoliate 2-3 times a week. There are many benefits to exfoliating, including reduced breakouts, removal of dead skin cells and minimised pores. However, overdoing it could cause redness and dry, flaky skin.

Pro tip: Go gently. The skin on your face is more delicate than the rest of your body. Just do it once a week if you have sensitive skin.

Step Four: MOISTURISE

Moisturisers hydrate your skin to keep it nourished and supple, as well as provide a protective layer from the elements. There are lots of different moisturisers available, so it’s important to find the right one for your skin type.

Pro tip: Invest in two moisturisers – a morning one and an evening one. Use a light day cream in the morning and a rich moisturiser in the evening that deeply moisturises.

Step Five: PROTECT YOUR SKIN

Step five is essential – SPF! Never underestimate the importance of an SPF on your face. We all know sun damage can speed up the aging process and in serious cases, lead to skin cancer; so it’s important to introduce an SPF into your routine (not just in summer).

Pro tip: Buy a new SPF every year. This will make sure the ingredients don’t expire and your skin always stays protected.

Bonus Steps: 

EYE CREAM

The skin around your eyes is thin and delicate, making it prone to ageing. Eye creams can help counteract this as they’re often more delicate than moisturisers and can reduce puffiness, dark circles and fine lines.

Pro tip: Pop your eye cream in the fridge – the coolness of the cream will help to soothe tired eyes and reduce puffiness.

FACE MASK

Face masks are a great addition to any skin care routine and are a real treat for your skin. Masks can target specific skin issues as well as hydrate your skin, remove excess oil and improve the appearance of pores. All while providing a relaxing, spa-like experience at home.

Pro tip: Choose a mask to suit your skin type, i.e. one that will help with excess oil - it will help to care for your skin.

We hope these tips help you take care of your skin during this second lockdown. We'll be back open again before you know it! (Why not browse our facial treatments - you can pick which you'd like for when we reopen!)

Thinking of doing a spot of Christmas shopping during this lockdown period? Why not treat your loved ones to an Inside Spa gift voucher - click here to shop online.

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