PPE (personal protection equipment) has become an essential for an increasing number of people. However, we have seen that the equipment can be hot, tight, and exhausting to wear. It can also have a negative impact on our skin, leaving us feeling as though our skin can’t “breathe” – this can even present itself in the form of excess breakouts, blocked pores, and an uneven texture. Skin might feel less resilient as a result of constantly being covered up or shielded from the environment. So how can we keep our skin feeling happy and healthy in the face of these challenges?
1. Double Cleanse
Did you know that you shed a whopping 30,000-40,000 skin cells every minute? It’s true! Wearing a mask prevents these skin cells from being quickly and efficiently shed.
That’s why it’s vital that we cleanse effectively, twice daily in order to move dead skin cells away from the face and prevent them from trapping dirt, oil, and pollution. The first cleanse with NovAge Facial Cleansing Oil removes make-up (even stubborn waterproof make-up) and pollution, without disturbing the delicate moisture barrier. It’s also great at removing excess oil that you might experience as a result of wearing a mask daily. This is because oil-based cleansers remove excess oil, while keeping the skin balanced and hydrated. For the second cleanse, use NovAge Supreme Cleansing Gel to gently clean and rebalance the skin.
2. Hydrate with a skin priming essence
Hydrated skin is healthy skin! Dehydration is one of the most common challenges for skin, which is problematic because healthy water levels are essential for maintaining a strong and resilient moisture barrier. We’ve all experienced that feeling of lethargy as a result of dehydration – and our skin is no different! Insufficient water levels make it harder for skin to function at its optimum level, and cell turnover can slow down, leading to a build-up of dead skin cells on the surface. So make sure to stay hydrated inside and out!
PRO TIP!
Adding a few drops of Skin Priming Essence into the palm of your hands and gently massaging into the skin after cleansing helps seal in hydration and support the moisture barrier without overloading the skin.
3. Bring back the balance
Healthy skin comes from an optimal balance between water and oil (sebum) levels. Wearing masks every day can impair the skin barrier, which causes the skin to lose more water. Moreover, wearing masks means that you might experience clogged pores and skin that feels oily in certain places. At this point you might be tempted to over-cleanse, but don’t – this will strip the skin and leave it vulnerable. Instead, use this to gently absorb excess oil and keep shine and breakouts at bay.
NovAge Oil Balance Solution comes to rescue! Apply 2-4 drops to your fingertips and massage gently into the skin, making sure to avoid the eye area. Wait until fully absorbed, then follow up with the rest of your routine. Apply morning and evening or reapply during the day if needed.
PRO TIP!
Experiencing excess oil in certain areas of your face? You can “patchwork” your treatment by only using the Oil Balance Solution on areas where you’re seeing shine or breakouts.
Experiencing unexpected breakouts?
Make sure to have your SOS kit ready! Breakouts can be stressful, and you may feel tempted to scrub, squeeze, or pick at them. Instead, reach for this new hero Targeted 24-hour Blemish Correction. This little handbag hero boasts an advanced blemish-control formula that’s designed to treat blemishes as soon as they start forming – in fact, it’s clinically proven to reduce blemish size within 24 hours! It actively reduces redness and prevents spots from worsening, helping to deliver clear skin and a flawless complexion. So be sure to reach for this skin saviour as soon as you feel blemishes forming and apply to any affected areas.
PRO TIP!
If you’re experiencing more breakouts than usual on your face, apply a thin layer over the affected areas to actively reduce redness and inflammation. Do this daily until blemishes have decreased.
4. Tackle blemishes and ageing
Tackling blemishes and ageing can both pose challenges in their own regard, so imagine finding a product that successfully addresses both! NovAge Advanced Breakout Defence does just that. Not only is it a multi-functional anti-breakout solution that efficiently prevents and reduces clogged pores, blemishes, and scar visibility – it also contains the powerful soothing ingredient Centella that aids in skin regeneration and collagen synthesis, while also reducing scar visibility. The powerful formula helps provide clear skin and an even, radiant complexion, with a non-greasy feel which can deliver a reduction in the occurrence/visibility of adult blemishes by 63% after 1 monthΔ. This is ideal for supporting skin recovery if continual mask use has resulted in breakouts and blocked pores. And don’t worry, you can certainly continue using your favourite NovAge serum as well – simply layer this over the top for targeted breakout prevention whenever you need it most!
Δ Clinical assessment.
5. Treat the eyes
Eyes have always been regarded as the windows to the soul, and this is especially true now that we’re covering up a good portion of our faces! With a smile or a frown hidden behind a mask, we’re expressing ourselves much more with our eyes, putting that delicate skin to work more than before. Applying eye cream around the orbital bone twice daily helps keep the eye area hydrated, supple, and strong!
6. Moisturise and defend
Moisturiser is essential to keeping skin happy and healthy, but SPF is just as important. This is especially true as we head back to daily life outside of our homes, where we’ll need strong pollution and antioxidant protection to shield us from stressors while keeping the moisture barrier strong and resilient – whether we’re wearing a mask or not. Now is the time to get to know the new power couple for healthy skin: your preferred NovAge moisturiser and NovAge Day Shield SPF 50 UVA/PA++++ Advanced Skin Protector. By doing so, you can trust that your skin is protected from UVA, UVB, and pollution whilst keeping your skin feeling comfortable, hydrated, and as ready as you are to return to the new normal!
7. Hand care
Not only our facial skin needs special care during this time but also our hands. Frequent hand washing and sanitizing have become a part of our day to keep the highest hygiene levels. Washing hands diligently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is a very good practice as it helps get rid of dangerous debris and germs but it may also contribute to stripping of natural oils in skin leaving it dried out and more exposed to irritation. Gently patting your skin dry instead of rubbing with towel will help keep skin in good condition after washing. Also always have your hand cream to protect moisture level in skin resulting in smoother and softer surface. Try putting a thicker layer of hand cream and leaving it on to get absorbed overnight, you skin will be even more soft and elastic when you wake up.
