The Glowcery | The Definitive Guide To Treating Lockdown Skin



As most of us now enter our fourth week of lockdown and as we prepare ourselves for a further three weeks inside here in the UK, we may be experiencing lockdown skin. This is because the lack of fresh air, the drying temperature conditions caused by the central heating and increased screen time (WFH anyone?) as well as heightened feelings of stress or anxiety can lead to skin problems. 

Is your skin suffering from the lockdown? Have you recently experienced new breakouts, dull looking skin or dry patches? Then this easy-to-follow skincare routine is what your skin is craving, containing natural skincare products from a range of Jamii partners. Your skin is due some TLSC – tender loving skincare. 

The golden rule of any skincare routine, may it be a simple 3-step or a more advanced 10-step Korean skincare routine, is to always start with thoroughly cleansed skin. The idea behind this is that you are going to get the most out of your skincare products if you are correctly applying them onto freshly clean skin. 

  1. The Double Cleanse

Suitable for all skin types, double cleansing involves using two different types of face cleansers: the first one should be oil-based and the second cleanser should be water-based. The reasons for this are that, throughout the day, your skin is battling the environment, excess sweat oil and grime build as well as sweat. Both cleansers function differently and have varying cleansing potential, so that when used together they make the perfect duo for fresh, dewy and clean skin. An oil cleanser is going to get deep into your pores, extracting oil, makeup and skincare product build up, whilst a water-based cleanser is going to wash away this grime, as well as sweat. 

An oil cleanser such as Ivy Nat Pure Organic Cold-Pressed Moringa Oil, is effective in ridding the skin of tougher oil-based grime, because cold-pressed Moringa oil easily absorbs into the skin and is high in antioxidants, as well as vitamins A and C. Vitamin A helps to stimulate the regeneration of new skin cells whilst Vitamin C neutralises and protects the skin from potential free radical damage caused by environmental stressors. Cold-pressed Moringa oil is going to get into the pores of your skin dislodging and lifting away any excess grime, dirt and excess oil. 

Following up an oil cleanse with a gel-based cleanser such as Narloa Aloe + Lemon Face Wash is going to wash away that grime and any excess sweat. The soothing aloe vera and coconut-derived cleanser gently cleans your skin, without stripping your skin of its natural oils. With any cleanser you want to make sure that the ingredients really penetrate your skin; washing your face for 60 seconds will help to effectively breakdown any skincare products, makeup and lift away grime.

Now we’ve double cleansed we’re ready to move onto step two.

2. Face Mask

A treat for the skin, Wild Seed Botanicals Green Smoothie Clay Mask contains a unique blend of French green clay and fruit extracts of banana, coconut and pineapple. French Green Clay is a luxurious clay that absorbs excess oil, grime and impurities from the skin. Pineapple powder contains a natural enzyme called bromelain, which gently exfoliates dead skin cells, revealing brighter looking skin. These organic ingredients nourish and cleanse the skin, whilst as the clay dries, the constricting feeling helps to tone and firm the skin. Apply this botanical face mask to freshly cleansed skin and leave for 10-15 minutes, rinse off with warm water and get your toners ready.

3. Tone

Toners do a range of things: they can help to mattify the skin, lessen the appearance of pores, and refresh the skin. During quarantine you want to look for toners that contain hydrating ingredients as these are going to prevent your skin from drying out. Narloa’s Rose Hydrating Toner is a perfect addition to your skincare routine as it contains ingredients such as glycerine (derived from vegetables) and rose water which are perfect skin hydrators. Glycerine is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the environment onto your skin. Meanwhile, rose water helps to balance and tone skin for a brighter, more even complexion and is suitable for use even on the most sensitive of skin types. Spray onto your face and neck, allow your skin to slurp up the hydration, whilst your skin is still slightly damp, it’s time to moisturise.

4. Moisturise

You need to be wearing moisturiser daily and there are all kinds of moisturisers out there that will suit your skin type. A good moisturiser not only provides your skin with a dose of hydration, but helps to lock in the previous layers of products making the ingredients more effective. You should look for non-comedogenic ingredients that are not going to clog your pores or cause you to break out. Malmal’s Avocado Mousse Face Cream contains skin nourishing avocado oil, a rich non-greasy oil that hydrates, softens and soothes all skin types. It also contains mango butter, a non-comedogenic butter high in oleic acid (omega 9) that helps to restore irritated and dry skin. The result? Skin looks and feels soft, supple and smooth.

Want to lock in even more hydration? Face oils are where it’s at.

5. Face Oils

Face oils are occlusive, meaning they help to lock in all of the ingredients and moisture you have applied to your face to prevent your skin from drying out. Used on their own oils are not moisturising, but when applied over layers of hydrating products, such as toners and moisturisers, they will leave your skin feeling supple and glowing. In any skincare routine, oils should be applied last and followed up with an SPF. Oils are beneficial to all skin types, including oily skin types as certain oils, including jojoba, hemp and rosehip, help to balance sebum production and improve moisture levels. 

The Glowcery’s Clean Greens Superfood Face Serum is handblended with 20 antioxidant-rich oils, including cold-pressed hemp, broccoli seed oil, green tea oil and tamanu oils. Broccoli seed oil is high in Vitamin A, which helps to boost collagen production and accelerate the regeneration of new skin cells for skin that’s healthy and glowing. Hemp seed oil quickly absorbs into the deeper layers of the skin, helping to calm redness and inflammation. Green tea oil, a potent natural antioxidant, works in defence against free radicals and environmental stressors that can damage the skin, whilst tamanu oil is rich in potent healing properties and essential fatty acids that work to repair, protect and smooth the skin. This vegan and cruelty-free formula works to nourish and balance the skin for a healthy, natural glow.

6. Lip Balm

Don’t forget lip care is skincare! Dry, flakey lips are all too common symptoms of lockdown skin, as unlike your skin, your lips do not have any oil or sweat glands, meaning they cannot hydrate themselves and rely on topical application of moisture. Kitchen Cosmetics Rejuvenating Lip Balm contains carrot seed oil that is high in essential fatty acids, smoothing shea butter and vegan candelilla wax that locks in moisture to repair dry, flakey lips into happy, healthy conditioned ones.

Unexpected lockdown skin can be frustrating, but fear not: as we’re spending more time inside, now is the perfect opportunity to curate a self-care skincare routine that works for you. Take the time to treat yourself, nourish yourself and your skin – and remember to be patient, as it can take an average of 28 days for your skin to renew itself. 

Shop all of the products mentioned here on Jamii. Your skin will thank you!

Written by Roshanne Dorsett, founder of The Glowcery


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