There was a turning point during the pandemic and endless lockdowns that finally made many of us pay attention to our skin.
It might have been that we had less to do, so faffed about with skincare. Or maybe it was the tedious hours staring at ourselves on video calls seeing far too much of our faces from ALL the angles. Perhaps the fact that we were stressed and anxious, which often shows on our skin, and we wanted some small slice of a normal routine. Or maybe it was that we weren’t able to get to our favourite facialist…whatever it was, we began paying attention to our skin.
Google searches for skincare increased. Shops were closed, but online skincare sales boomed.
Some thought this would fall back when things returned to “normal”, but they were wrong. John Lewis reported a shift away from cosmetics, towards skincare, during and following the pandemic. This has continued over the last two years.
There are three really great reasons why you should take the time to care for your skin.
1. Looking good boosts self esteem
When we have a spot, a cold sore, a rash…we feel self conscious. The imperfections seem amplified. Like they are drawing everyones attention, and not in a good way. But when our skin is looking glowy, fresh and clear, we feel more confident and more self assured.
This is backed by research that shows that improving a physical trait has a positive effect on attitude, personality, self-esteem and interpersonal interactions.
Over half (53%) said that cosmetics and personal care products play an important part in building their self-esteem. This rose to 65% for women
72% noted the importance of clear skin
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2. Skincare is selfcare
Skincare is a very literal form of self-care in that you are regularly tending to your body’s largest organ. Stress, anxiety and lack of sleep show up on your complexion. Your skin is a reflection of how well your body is feeling and functioning.
Skincare routines can be relaxing and soothing, providing a moment of calm in your otherwise hectic day. A skincare routine can feel luxurious, can help us be more present in the moment. Products are often formulated to feel great and smell amazing, further enhancing the experience of caring for your skin, whilst reducing stress.
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3. Great skin is the foundation to great in-clinic treatments
From relaxing facials to rejuvenating injectable treatments, the foundation for the very best outcomes are a great at-home skincare routine.
Your skincare routine doesn’t need to be complicated, nor does it need to be expensive, unless you want it to be! But there are some basic steps to include:
Cleansing: Use a gentle cleanser that's appropriate for your skin type to remove dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin. Choose one you like to use, foaming, oil, balm or cream, and work it into your skin for at least a minute.
Treat: Depending on your skin type and any specific concerns, using serums and creams that contain active ingredients, in the correct concentrations and formulations to really address whatever it is you'd like improved - from dryness, and breakouts, to oiliness or redness, efficacious active incredients will help get your skin in it’s best health. This step is where, if you're on a tight budget, you should invest to get the right product.
Moisturising: Generously apply a moisturiser to hydrate and nourish the skin. The aim here is to hydrate the skin and prevent waterloss. Moisturisers don't need to be expensive, but you do need to enjoy using them and like how they feel on your skin.
Protecting: This is a non-negotiable, only 20% of people deeming sunscreen as essential, putting it on par with lip balm, using a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 (ideally with PA+++ rating) is essential to prevent skin damage and ageing. There are many very reasonably priced sunscreens. The trick is trying out a few until you find one you’re happy to use every day.
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Curious about injectables?
Before you book yourself in for any injectables or device-based treatments, check whether there’s room for improvement with your skincare routine. You won't get the most out of peels, microneedling or any kind of in-clinic treatment if your skincare game isn't up to scratch.
If you need the help figuring the best thing for your skin, why not book a chat with a skincare pro on Glowday.com? You can book an in-clinic consultation, or book an online consultation, and chat about your skin from the comfort of your home!
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