Today on Zoella we’ve invited an expert in skincare to share her tips for easing out of lockdown and of course wearing a mask. Sarah Carr got her start training with one of London’s most-esteemed facialists and is currently a lifestyle ambassador for Liz Earle which means she’s always on the go sharing her skincare wisdom with store staff, presenting specialist shows on QVC, hosting customer or blogger events and even teaching yoga as she’s a qualified yoga instructor too!
As we begin to ease out of lockdown and head back to the salons, I hope we remember that the foundation of good skin starts at home – we’ve all done a pretty good job of managing our beauty, nail and hair care routines!
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Lockdown has taught so many of us how to really care for our skin at home without the help of the professionals. Skincare has become more about self-care, taking the time to understand your skin’s daily-changing needs and highlighting the products that really supported your skin through this period.
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Here are some tips to help us ease back into our new normal and maintain the good skincare habits we have created…
Reading your skin
We’re normally so busy with our daily grind that we don’t really look at what our skin is trying to tell us. The skin is the body’s largest organ and during your life its needs will always be changing, depending on factors like climate, stress levels, diet and lifestyle. Taking the time to look at your skin (not just on your face) can help you tailor your daily routine to keep skin balanced and glowing. Are you breaking out more than usual? Does the skin feel drier? Has it lost its sparkle? Knowing what to look out for enables you to start adapting your routine and lifestyle to support accordingly.
Routine is key
Think of your cleanse, tone, moisturise routine as the foundation of great skin. When you find a daily routine that really suits you, stick to it! It makes it so much easier to add in extras like exfoliators, masks and serums when you need them to help target specific concerns.
Cleansing – removes impurities, excess oil/sebum, SPF and make up.
Toning – opt for alcohol-free tonic to hydrate the skin. This step ensures the rest of your products work harder, meaning you can use smaller amounts of them.
Moisturising – moisturiser acts like an invisible barrier to hydrate, protect and reduce water loss.
Massage
Regular facial massage helps to increase circulation, depuff, and improve the texture and tone of your skin. Little and often is the best way to approach your massage routine – I like to do mine when I’m cleansing, so I know that my skin will get a treat morning and night. Cream, oil or balm cleansers are great for massaging with, or you can use a base oil. In my treatment room, I use borage, sweet almond and jojoba oil; all absolutely fab for facial massage!
Mask when and where you need it
When you know your skin, it makes this tip a lot easier. Your mask is a targeted treatment, so apply where it’s needed most. Not only do you save product, but it’ll work harder in the required area. Think Liz Earle’s Deep Cleansing Mask – if you have an oily T-zone, just apply it in that area to help with excess oil, as the rest of your face might not need that treatment.
Your weekly treat
Setting some time aside once a week to combine a longer facial massage and a mask is a lovely way to bring skincare and self-care together. It doesn’t need to take hours, there are some great face masks that work in 5 minutes! I’m a lover of Liz Earle’s Balancing Gel Mask.
SPF, everyday
Even when you don’t think you need it! SPF products shield your skin from harmful rays and help to prevent pigmentation – personally, I’m a fan of Ren’s Clean Screen Mineral SPF.
Skin advice for wearing a mask
Masks are our new normal, and it’s important that we take more care of our skin whilst wearing them. They trap sweat and moisture, which provide the perfect conditions for skin irritation. When you combine that with the mask rubbing against your face, it can disrupt the skin’s protective barrier. Here are some tips designed to help skin adjust to making masks a part of your daily life.
Keeping your mask clean
This is essential – as it’s in direct contact with your skin, it’ll absorb excess oil, dirt and make up from the skin’s surface and transfer it around. Opt for a washable natural cotton mask you can clean after every use, unless you’re a key worker using a fresh mask every time.
Keeping the skin clean
Ensuring the skin is clean before and after you’ve worn a mask will help keep it balanced, as well as thoroughly but gently cleansing morning and evening. If you’ve had a long day in PPE, make sure the first thing you do when you get in is cleanse – a little habit that helps skin stay clean and calm.
Minimise make up
Your mask is creating the perfect conditions for blocked pores and congested skin, and skipping things like concealer and foundation can help minimise breakouts. If you feel like you can’t go without, choose lightweight make up and water-based foundations.
Barrier cream
If you are in PPE for long periods of time and you find they are rubbing or aggravating the skin, opt for a barrier cream to provide extra protection of those areas.
Hydrating the skin
This helps the barrier function of the skin and prevents water loss. If you have oilier skin, opt for lightweight textures or if you are drier, a richer moisturiser will really help protect the skin.
Spritz, spritz, spritz!
I’ve been taking a face spritzer with me wherever I go for a quick burst of hydration whenever I take my mask off – a lovely pick-me-up for you and your skin!
