mybodytonic

Posted: 27 Apr 2020 05:59 AM PDT

How's life in quarantine land? In the last few days I've noticed an upswing in people being out and about. It seems like everyone is OVER this shelter in place and ready to get back to normal life. I sort of don't want it to be over.

(Disclaimer: This entire global situation is heart wrenching and devastating and my emotions about it have been all over the place, as many others I'm sure. But since no one is looking at this blog for global pandemic thoughts, we will keep it on the lighter side since it IS intended for skincare and beauty topics). :)

I'm such an introvert that I don't mind some of the byproducts of this quarantine: missing crowds, fewer people to talk to, the quietness of the city….it's sort of like "old Austin" 30 years ago. Well, except no Magnolia Cafe or Threadgill's. Ugh.

I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around restarting fast-paced life. I have enjoyed the quietness of working from home and having my family all around me more often. I HAVE gone out though: to the grocery store a few times a week, to Target to get some lounge pants because OH MY GOD how many times can I rewear my PJ and yoga pants??? , and this past weekend we went by Home Depot for fencing supplies.

Heading out these days means getting masked up. Those things feel suffocating to me and the lower half of my face feels HUMID under there. In the last week I've gotten two zits – one on my chin and one near my upper lip. While this isn't unusual, even at 45, it's fairly unusual for me. My skin finally calmed down a few years ago so when it acts up I really notice. I started thinking, what have I done differently? Am I using something new? And then I realized: the mask!! So I started reading articles and sure enough, wearing a face mask for any prolonged period of time can cause a buildup of bacteria, which can cause break outs.

The remedies are the same as treating acne from any other cause: cleanse the area and kill the bacteria. Oh, and of course wash your mask often, or if using a disposable mask, don't reuse it for too long if possible.

I already use a lot of great skin products for cleansing and clearing away bacteria, but I thought I'd better add in using my toner a little more often – like each time I remove my mask.

Products I use? Skin Ceuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser, a Clarisonic, Skin Ceuticals Equalizing Toner, and Skin Better's AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads. Yesterday I added in the Skin Ceuticals Clarifying Clay Mask too before the other steps.

If you're having similar skin issues, here are some products that can help:

A clarifying face wash: Skin Better's Oxygen Infusion Wash, Skin Ceuticals Simply Clean, Soothing Cleanser or LHA Cleanser (only use the LHA if you are normal to oily skin type)A toner (definitely do this each time you take your mask off: Skin Ceuticals Equalizing or LHA Toner (LHA is tingly and cooling)Consider a lightweight moisturizer instead of a heavier one: Elta MD's AM Therapy, Skin Better's Hydration Boosting Cream, Skin Ceuticals B5 GelExtras: a Clarisonic will properly cleanse all debris and makeup from your pores and Skin Better's AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads for added cell turnoverMasks: Skin Better's Detoxifying Clay Mask or Skin Ceuticals Clarifying Clay MaskIf you are having stubborn acne, try Obagi's Clenziderm products: Foaming Face Wash, Pore Therapy, and Therapeutic Lotion

You can browse all our products online and we are offering curbside pickup on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2-5. We are expecting our Skin Ceuticals replenishment order mid-week (in time for curbside pickup days)…so if something is out of stock, please do check back.