Lockdown Ageing: How Stress Affects Your Skin
To many, it feels like lockdown has been going on for years and years. Even though the lockdown has in fact already been lasting for over a year now, to most people this will likely feel like five years. Our patience is being tested, we had to adapt our plans and regular lifestyle, and with the months passing by we have become more and more wary of extending regulations.
However, finally, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel and if everything goes according to plan, we will be enjoying events, dining out and even partying in only a couple of months time. After looking like a hermit most of the time for over a year, it’s now time to get ourselves back together and be presentable again. But, wow, looking in the mirror might frighten you a little bit, because your skin genuinely makes it look like it’s been 5 years. How did you age so quickly in only a year’s time? Lockdown ageing, unfortunately, really is a thing that many people are struggling with and they are desperately wondering how to fix it. Luckily, we are here to help you regain that youthful glow just before everything opens up again.
How People React To Stress
How is it actually possible that we have aged so much over the past year? After all, our schedules shrank massively and all we had to do was sit at home, right? No more stress working in the office, no more fully booked weekends with social gatherings, no more stress packing for holiday, must be quite relaxing. On the contrary. The uncertainty of lockdown and worrying about your health has had a huge impact on most people’s lives, which resulted in an increased level of stress.
Stress affects people in many different ways and cannot be measured by the same yardstick. To some, stress causes issues such as heartburn, trouble breathing and sleeping, whereas others will struggle with skin that is flaring up, drying out or ageing rapidly. If you have been struggling with stress-related symptoms on your skin, we definitely recommend you to read along as we have some golden tips lined up for you!
Lockdown Wrinkles And Breakouts
If your skin has gotten worse during lockdown, this may be due to stress. However, there are many other factors that have been playing a role this past year that might cause your skin to break out more than usual. Many people have developed Maskne, which involves acne breakouts from wearing a face mask, especially around the mouth and nose area. As we all know, we have been asked to wear a face mask in public spaces and this rule will likely not disappear in the upcoming months.
Not only have we been suffering from breakouts, but some people also experience an acceleration in skin-ageing. There are many things that will have an impact on your skin and might cause your skin to age prematurely, but one of the most important things has to be your mental state. A positive mindset can actually be good for your skin, whereas depression, anxiety and stress can cause your skin to break out and age quicker. We all know it works best to tackle a problem at the root, which would mean that you would have to find a way to lower your feelings of stress. Take a deep breath, pause your thoughts and all your stress will dissipate. If only it was that easy…
However, there is no need to accept your negative state of mind and there are many ways to improve your mental health. Start your day off with a yoga practice or a ten-minute meditation session, take a quick cold shower and spend some extra time on your skincare routine. Did you know it’s possible to reduce anxiety with a skincare routine? By taking your time to incorporate a bit of self-care into your day, you will feel more relaxed and less stressed.
How To Treat Lockdown Ageing
If you are one of the unlucky ones who have found themselves looking into the mirror, shocked by yet another line that seems to have embedded into your skin, you are probably seeking anti-ageing skincare products. Luckily, there are quite a few products on the market that claim to make you look twenty years younger. We understand that you’re looking for a high-quality, truly effective product to get rid of signs of lockdown ageing, so that’s why we will only cover products that have proven to be successful.
Soothing Face Masks
Don’t worry, we’re not talking about the face masks that protect us from coronavirus, instead, we’re talking about face masks as a part of your skincare routine. The type of mask you apply on your face to restore your skin and treat whatever skin concern you may have. Whether it’s acne, ageing or dull skin you’re seeking help with, there will likely be a face mask to help you out.
SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Masque has been formulated to restore natural radiance and smoothness by using key ingredients such as highly-concentrated Botanical Extracts, a Calming Dipeptide and Hyaluronic Acid. The face mask is suitable for daily use, but can also be used weekly or seasonally if preferred.
An absolute must-have for this Spring and Summer is the Dr Levy Switzerland R3 Cell Matrix Mask, which helps renew the skin's vital protective and nutritive ecosystem. This will boost your skin’s natural defences that help you to protect your skin from exposure to UV rays. The face mask also contains Vitamin C, the key ingredient in stimulating collagen production which will result in firmer, brighter skin.
Another Vitamin C face mask is the Dr Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Biocellulose Brightening Treatment Mask, a hydrating sheet mask that works to help revive the complexion. As the face mask is enriched with Vitamin C to brighten skin, it helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that are caused by lockdown skin-ageing. If that won’t convince you, the face mask is also 100% natural and biodegradable which makes it a responsible choice too.
Nourishing Skincare Products
Winter or summer, day or night, it is always important to nourish the skin. By keeping the skin hydrated, you will keep it healthy, glowing and radiant. Skincare is more than simply fixing a skin concern, it should be incorporated into your daily life to prevent acne, breakouts and ageing. Consistency is crucial and it’s important to remember: nothing happens overnight. It doesn’t matter how much we would wish that our redness, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles or acne would simply disappear within one day, it’s simply not possible. By investing enough time in luxury skincare products, you will start noticing huge changes within only a few weeks time. In particular, skincare products that contain Retinol (Vitamin A) will help your skin to heal imperfections, refine the complexion and brighten skin tone.
A few essentials that, according to us, can’t be missed in your daily skincare routine are:
MZ Skin Hydrate & Nourish Age Defence Retinol Day Moisturiser SPF 30
Dr Dennis Gross B3 Adaptive Superfoods™ Stress Repair Face Cream
Dr Dennis Gross B3 Adaptive Superfoods™ Stress Rescue Super Serum
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Anti-Ageing Food And Drinks
Yes, you read that right. Not only do skincare products help to reduce the signs of ageing, but there are also specific foods and drinks that can help to restore a youthful complexion. From the age of twenty, our skin starts to increasingly produce less collagen, the most abundant protein in your body that boosts firmness and elasticity of the skin. When collagen production is slowed down, we are more likely to show signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles. By consuming collagen drinks and superfoods, the natural production of collagen in your body will be stimulated which will help to restore firm and elastic skin.
The Skinade Anti-Ageing Collagen Drink can be used as a 30-day course which helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by boosting the production of collagen. The multi-award-winning drink has proven to be effective in diminishing the signs of ageing and increasing skin hydration. The drink is also available in a 60-day or 90-day course if your skin needs more rejuvenation.
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