I feel like lockdown went one of two ways for most people. Some (distinctly fewer as time went on, it seemed) saw the increased ‘me time’ as an opportunity to go into productivity over-drive, smashing the tasks they’d thus far managd to put off, bootcamping their way through online workouts, and nailing Zoom etiquette from the get-go. Others (myself included), suddenly found themselves with all the time in the world, yet no time to do the things they really *should* be doing. Thinks like workouts and skin care routines went totally out the window. And I’m still really not sure why.
What I do know, though, is that it took re-kindling my rituals and re-discovering schedules to finally feel like me again. Bookmarking my days with a two minute skincare regimen, and punctuating them with planned workouts gave me purpose and a sense of achievement, even if I spent most of my time still WFS (working(ish) from sofa).
Skincare is something I would never normally compromise on, but circa March this year, with the absolute sh*tshow that has turned out to be 2020 rapidly unveiling itself, remembering to double cleanse or making time for mask mapping seemed all a little pointless. Add to that the loss of genuine face-time with anyone at all plus the realisation that a strong angle and decent lighting combo can hide any number of ills, and skincare lost its sparkle.
Getting back into a routine hasn’t been easy. For the first time in years, I’ve found myself falling asleep with yesterady’s make-up on, and I haven’t masked in months.
But. With new skincare launches ready and raring to take us throfugh to Autumn, there’s hope yet. I’m fielding all-new skin concerns in the Tier 2 era – from face covering-induced sensitivity and dryness, to a build-up of impurities and the dreaded maskne. Here’s the best new products to deal with post-lockdown skin issues.
Skin concern | dryness, dehydration, lack-lustre morning skin
Solution | overnight masks
Ren Evercalm Overnight Mask – Super rich but easily absorbed balm packed with natural ingredients to sooth irritatino and dryness, whilst intensly moisturising and nourishing.
Crabtree & Evelyn Overnight Mask – Hydrating and silky gel formula that plumps and conditions as you snooze.
COSRX Overnight Mask – Combines natural beeswax with Propolis Extract (potent anti-oxidant) to soften, brighten, and reduce irritation.
Skin concern | problem skin – oily or sensitive
Solution | calming, water-based products
REN Evercalm Rescue Mask – Instantly calm and sooth stressed-out skin, and builds skin’s resiliance when used long-term
COSRX Oil-free Ultra-moisturising Lotion – Lightweight lotion hydrates and calms the skin without any greasy feeling
Murad Clarifying Oil-free Water Gel – Protects like a second layer of skin to protect the skin’s microbiome and restore balance to help fight problem skin
Skin concern | uneven tone, dullness, pigmentation
Solution | vitamin c
Oskia Super C – Potent vitamin C capsules deliver the exact dosage needed by skin to restore radiance and hydrate
Murad Evironmental Shield Vita-C – Added glycolic acid inreases the efficiency of the Vitamin C, to leave skin refreshed and illuminated
Elizabeth Arden Vitamin C Ceramide Capsules – 178 times more potent than traditional vitamin C thanks to the unique casing, plus the addition of ceramides to prevent moisture loss. Luxurious, silky and delivers instant results.
Skin concern | signs of ageing
Solution | rich, active serums
Guinot Youth Boosting Serum – powerful combo of 56 active ingredients to boost cellular life and regeneration, for immediate lifting and toning, an increase in skin elasticity and firmness, and a burst of moisture.
REN Keep Young And Beautiful Serum – Developed to fight the very first signs of ageing, but lightweight enough for daily use. Skin is firmed, toned, and smoothed.
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum – Immedely firms and smooths lines around the eye area, plus prevents further signs of ageing. Addition of marine kelp extract visibly lifts, for revitalised, youthful-looking eyes.
Jurlique Nutri-define Supreme Serum – Silky smooth serum with powerful clinical results showing effective reduction in the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles
Skin concern | dehydration / fine lines
Solution | hydrating boosters / serums
REN Flash Hydro-boost – A burst of hydration for thirty skin, effectively reducing fine lines caused by dehydration. Skin is dewy and plumped, thanks to powerful combo of Hyaluronic acid and Xylitol
Botanics Simply Calm Serum – Hemp seed oil and aloe vera provide fast hydration, helping to calm and soothe stressed-feeling skin, without leaving an oily residue.
Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules – Intense hydration, locked in with Elizabeth Arden’s signature Ceramide complex to prevent moisture loss. Zero H2O Technology™ allows smaller Hyaluronic Acid to penetrate deeper, resulting in plumped, hydrated skin.
Skin concern | congestion / maskne
Solution | double cleansing routine
Acala Reusable Makeup Wipes – 100% hemp cotton round makeup wipes that effective remove make-up and impurities
Smart Ass Beauty Cleansing Bar – All-natural, cream cleansing bar combines donkey milk and omega oils which are rich in unsaturated fatty acids together with multivitamin complex (A, B, C, E)
Opatra Pure Dual-action Cleansing Device – Effectively cleanses, exfoliates, and unclogs pores. Skin is left super smooth and soft to touch.
Opatra Instant Renewal Peeling Gel – Multi-action peptide peel gently smoothes away impurities and fights free-radical damage.
