Apocalyptic Skincare Tips

The world has officially gone NUTS, so (fearsome lurgy aside) perhaps the best place for us right now is hiding out at home.

Uncertainty = stress and stress has an enormous impact on our skin and body as a whole. Cortisol (the fight or flight hormone) is invaluable for those times you need to run away from sabre-toothed tigers and such, but actually it’s vasoconstricting action on the skin is pretty shithouse for keeping us looking bright eyed and bushy tailed. And, over time, just as pointless when it comes to keeping our immune system tip-top.

Amid all the uncertainty it is absolutely 100% time for self care. Stopping to spend 5 minutes on our skincare regime may seem a little trivial with the magnitude of recent events, but it a great reminder that we need time to be present and do something positive for ourselves, and affirm there are some things we actually do have control over.

So here are our Southern Cosmetics Apocalyptic Skincare Tips:

Cleanse

You’ve cut 1.5h from your daily commute so yes, you can find a little extra time to double cleanse of an evening. Even if you haven’t put a scrap of make-up on today this is still a very necessary step, possibly the most important one actually, to achieve and maintain healthy skin.

We are positively FROTHING over the Universkin Universal oil, the Goldilocks of facial cleansers. It is an emulsifying oil which means it thoroughly rinses off with water. This keeps the barrier of your skin fully in tact but removes every scrap of make-up and environmental pollution.

Exfoliate

But only a little bit please. Most skin is easily damaged by grainy, abrasive exfoliants and over exfoliation leads to the enemy of fabulous skin: dysregulated barrier function and inflammation.

Osmosis Polish is a beautiful enzyme exfoliating mask involving no scratchy grains. It has the benefit of antioxidants for added brightening. Once per week is usually plenty.

Bespoke skincare

Can’t make it to the clinic for a bit of Southern Cosmetics magic? Let us tailor make your skincare for you!

The ground-breaking Universkin range uses a combination of 19 scientifically researched active ingredients – of which some are prescription only – selected for you based on an in depth skin diagnostic questionnaire and one-to-one consultation (which at the moment can be conducted via the interweb).

These actives are added to a base serum which is pretty special unto itself, full of anti inflammatory goodness, and whizzed up to create your perfect match.

To find out your ideal ingredient combination fill out the skinXS diagnostic questionnaire here: https://skinxs.com/diag/southern-cosmetics

SPF

You’re not heading out as much but this step is still so important. Unless you are drawing the blinds and giving up on the outside world completely exposure to UV rays through your window will continue to cause pigmentation and premature aging.

If you are really game, there couldn’t be a better time to pull out the big guns. BOO for glittering social engagements being cancelled, but HOORAY for downtime. Why not book in for the fractionated laser treatment you have been putting off because there’s never time for a week of peeling? Droopy eyelids? Jett Plasma will have people thinking you spent your months of social distancing at Golden Door. We have many options if transformation is your thing.

Time to stay present

With changes being made day-to-day comes a very unsettled feeling. Who knows what tomorrow may bring. Literally.

Here is a quick and easy exercise for whenever you feel overwhelmed:

1. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose. Keep your shoulders relaxed. Your abdomen should expand, and your chest should rise very little.
2. Exhale slowly through your mouth. As you blow air out, purse your lips slightly, but keep your jaw relaxed. You may hear a soft “whooshing” sound as you exhale.
3. Repeat this breathing exercise for several minutes.