Now, I could make this article just like any old “How To Switch Up Your Routine For The Summer Months” kinda article, but this summer is a little different, isn’t it? With a current pandemic in our lives, having to wear masks and other protective gear, not being out and about as much and being quarantined, our summer skincare routines are all going to need some minor(or even major!) tweaking to adapt to the new normal, no? Well, I’m here to help with that! I’m going to be breaking down these tips based on issues/concerns instead of just listing them at random to better help you find the tips you need based on what your skin is currently going through...sound good? Let's get to it!
1. Your Mask Is Making The Skin Under It Break Out Due To Chafing
This is completely normal and expected, so there’s no need to freak out! With proper measures and skin care tips, you can absolutely get this issue under control. Here are some things I’ve done that work for me, since I suffer from cystic acne and need to be very careful what I put my face through:
- Line the mask with some thin pantyliners. This helps prevent chafing due to the soft material, and is also a great option for those who have to be out and about all day and don’t have access to surgical masks that are easy to switch out when they get grimey. I use the liners meant for thongs, and I cut out the sheer part and line the edges of my mask, or even just place it on the inside of the mask as is. When you do this, you can strip off the pantyliner halfway through the day, which is great because all the buildup, dirt, and sweat doesn’t stay on your mask(or end up on your face!) Barely There Liners, Thong $3 are available at www.ubykotex.com
- Another great option to place in high impact areas, such as the bridge of your nose or along the jawline, would be a thin Hydrocolloid Dressing by Dynarex, which can be found on Amazon for $12.99. They come in a pack of 20, and you can cut them to any shape and customize easily to fit any mask. These miracle patches not only protect your skin from chafing, but also help to heal any breakouts!
- Keep a packet of cleansing wipes handy! These are different from makeup remover wipes, which are designed to break down makeup. Cleansing wipes are designed to cleanse sweat and bacteria from the surface of your skin, so using them often throughout the day prevents your mask from building up the bacteria from your face, thereby preventing breakouts. (Side tip: stick the packet in the freezer or the fridge overnight...it’ll freshen you up like no other on those especially hot summer days, or those weekend getaways to the beach!) Skyn Iceland Glacial Cleansing Cloths $15 are available at www.skyniceland.com
2. Your Mask Is Making Your Lips Dry
Considering that you’re breathing into your mask, this comes as no surprise. Dry, flakey, cracked lips can be exceedingly painful to endure, and drinking water and using products like Vaseline sometimes doesn’t cut it. This is where proper lip treatments come into play, and I don’t just mean WHILE you’re wearing the mask! In order to maintain hydrated lips, using multiple treatments and products at all hours is key.
- Use a treatment that’s meant to heal your lips, like the well known classic Carmex Original Tube Lip Balm, which can be found for $5.99 for 1 pack of 3 at www.mycarmex.com
- Use products that coat and “seal” hydration in your lips, like the Agave+ Intensive Lip Mask by Bite Beauty, which can be found for $26 at www.bitebeauty.com. I know this may seem like a high price tag for something as simple as a lip balm, but a tube of this really does last FOREVER.
- Exfoliate your lips once a week to help get rid of the dead skin on the surface. I like using the Sugar Lip Scrub by Hanalei Company, which you can find for $25 at www.hanaleicompany.com. (Note: Please do not do this step more than once a week like you may do when exfoliating your face...your lip area is more delicate from the rest of your face, and similar to your eye area. It may feel really good to use every day, but resist the urge! Your lips will thank you in the long run!)
- Use a sleeping mask at night for your lips, and I mean EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. When you wake up, gently brush off the softened layer of skin to expose your lip’s surface, and then coat with a treatment like the ones mentioned above. My top pick is a popular favorite that you may have heard of: Lip Sleeping Mask by Laneige, which can be found for $20 at www.us.laneige.com(Side note: it comes in 5 different blends, so there’s something for everyone!)
3. Your Skin Is Dehydrated Or Flakier Than Normal From Being Inside With The AC On All The Time(And/Or Also From Wearing A Mask)
Two words: Facial Mists!
4. You Feel Like Your Skin Looks Dull Or Is Lackluster
Being at home during the summer with the air conditioning blasting at a whopping 63 degrees can cause your skin to lose quite a bit of much needed moisture...and without moisture, skin can get dull looking. That’s why replenishing the hydration that gets stripped away from your face with the right kind of moisturiser is key. You can use facial sprays, but I would never replace a moisturizer with only a spray...I always use both!
One of my favorite moisturizers for when I’m at home and want to give my skin some love is one that is great for all skin types, tones, and ages. It’s called Lait Crème Concentré by a company called Embryolisse. This award winning classic is a multi-purpose holy grail, considering it can not only be used to moisturize both face and body, but can be used as a beauty mask or a cleanser/makeup remover(similar to a cold cream). With a thought out and effective formula containing multi-beneficial ingredients like Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, and Soy Proteins, this treatment restores moisture in the skin’s barrier without leaving any traces of greasy residue. Lait Crème Concentré $28 by Embryolisse is available at www.us.embryolisse.com
5. Your Hands Are Severely Dry From Washing/Sanitizing All The Time
It’s bad enough worrying about making sure your hands have enough sunscreen on them for protection during summer months, now we have to worry about cracked cuticles and tight, painful skin from excessive washing and use of sanitizer. Unfortunately, given the current circumstances, this is unavoidable. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to relieve your hands.
Similar to how your lips need to be treated, the key to healthy hands this summer is consistent care at all hours. Here are some things I do regularly to hydrate my hands after a long day of constant cleansing:
- I use a hand mask once or twice a week and leave the gloves on overnight to wake up to smooth, younger looking hands. My favorite are the ones made by Sephora. They are a great all vegan and easy to use, and oh so soothing! They come in a few different variations, and all have a little tab so secure the glove for a custom fit. Hand Mask $5 by Sephora is available at www.sephora.com
- Make sure to exfoliate your hands once or twice a week. And for that, you can always use my hands down favorite: Sexapeel!
- Add some skincare to your hand lotion! This is something I do often, especially with the really rough areas that need more love. I’ll add a drop or two of any of my beauty oils and serums to my lotions when putting them on my hands and feet, and even with my elbows! It may not seem like a lot, but it does make a difference with consistent use. The more emollient the oil, the better!