Our lives are different now than they were a month ago. From social events, to work to school, it’s very likely we all have a new routine now. That’s 100% ok. To get to this state, it took a bit of a shift. We had to change our expectations and plans. We had to let go of what was comfortable. By now, many of us are adjusting to a very different way of life and that’s something worth celebrating. While there might be moments of discomfort or frustration, you are here and you are doing it. Good job.

Through all this, our skin came along for the ride and might have reacted to all these sudden changes. Maybe you’ve noticed sudden dry spots, acne or inflammation. When our bodies perceive a threat, our immune system fights back. Sebaceous glands (these hold oil in our pores) become inflamed, creating a ripe environment for acne. 

What makes these sebaceous glands unhappy?

1.) Stress: Our bodies absorb effects from both physical and environmental stress. This could involve spending more time in the same environment (home) to stressing about how to get it all done - homeschooling, work, exercise, cooking and more.

2.) A change in your skin care ritual. With more time at home, many of us might not be bathing as frequently (hello work from home!), or over cleansing (especially our hands!) due to CDC recommendations. Actions like over-doing or under-doing a normal routine can cause our oil production patterns to be off-balance.

3.) A change in eating habits. With minimizing grocery store trips, comes less fresh food on hand and maybe more processed or frozen foods becoming a more regular part of your diet. Don’t stress about this! Eating at home is usually always healthier than eating out. I’ve personally been buying a lot of spinach - you can add it to anything from eggs to pasta to smoothies or even put it on top of a frozen pizza! Spinach keeps for almost 2 weeks in the fridge. Spinach, is a great source of iron, folate, chlorophyll, Vitamin E, magnesium, Vitamin A, fiber, plant protein, and Vitamin C. Due to their antioxidant abilities, Vitamins C, E, and A are especially great for your skin.

4. When combined with any of the above factors, poor sleep can increase inflammation. While there’s a of pressure to still “do it all” during a pandemic, ease up on yourself. Hit that snooze button one more time or take a mid-day nap. Sleep is a very powerful tool reset the mind and body.

What can I do about all this?

Take a deep breath. These changes are not your fault. You are doing the best you can. Your mind and body are trying to cope with all these new changes, so a change in your skin is only natural. Be at peace with that and start small. Maybe it’s committing to wash your face every morning by noon, if that’s what’s accessible for you now, that is very much ok.

If you want to do more, consider doing something like meditation or yoga - our friends at Good Movement Studio, Rocksteady Bodyworks, and Tadasana Yoga have some great offerings at all times of the day. Yoga and meditation can be very grounding and help decrease stress levels.

Take advantage of these times. Maybe an at-home facial is something you don’t normally have time for. You can put on a face mask when you’re cooking dinner or watching tv on the couch. It’s ok to take full advantage of the fact no one (other than your family) will see you wearing a face mask at dinner table! If you don’t have any at-home face masks, Natropathica White Tea Antioxidant Mask is a great place to start. This is a creamy, nutrient-rich mask that blends detoxifying White Tea, hydrating Borage Seed Oil and soothing Aloe Vera to hydrate, firm and replenish devitalized skin. If you’re normally prone to breakouts and the current situation is making them worse, try the Natropathica Moss Blemish Treatment Mask.