Your Skin Unmasked
Contributors: Lori Bush and Dr. Ritu Chopra, Co-Founders of Solvasa
Across the country and around the world, we’re all doing our best to stay safe and to do our part to keep others safe. And as the saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished. As a result of our efforts to prevent the spread of infection, we’re seeing a number of skin concerns that are side effects of stress and of wearing PPE masks.
A simple search of the internet will reveal a host of skin issues that have become especially prevalent in essential workers who are on the front line and wearing protective masks for extended periods of time. Some of the unpleasant souvenirs of many stressful hours in a PPE mask include:
- Pressure marks on the bridge of the nose
- Chaffing on cheeks
- Lingering irritation-induced pigment changes
- Breakdown of the skin’s protective function as a result of the collapse of the small capillaries that deliver oxygen and nutrients
- Tension-induced forehead lines
- Puffiness due to fluid retention caused by the release of the stress hormone, cortisol
Time for a Skintervention
Whether from the extrinsic pressure of a mask or the intrinsic impact of cortisol, stress can be causing acute inflammatory responses in your skin. So even if you’ve never thought of yourself as having sensitive skin, it very well could be sensitive now.
In your search for treatments to restore your skin health, a gentler approach could be the better solution. We suggest you consider “skin fasting,” that is giving your skin a break from the traditional cosmeceuticals and treatment products that may contribute to skin’s barrier breakdown when skin is stressed. It’s a good idea to take a break from ingredients such as retinoids, benzoyl peroxide and especially physical and chemical exfoliants. You should also minimize exposure to synthetic pigments and fragrances.
Solvasa products have been developed to support skin’s resilience to stress.
An alternative to exfoliating cleansers, Solvasa’s Golden Harmony Cleansing Mask is formulated with skin-nurturing kaolin clay to gently lift away dead skin cells as it draws impurities from pores and provides the defensive and protective benefits of turmeric and probiotic lysates. The two to three minutes required for the mask to dry is a perfect opportunity for a short breath meditation for further stress-reducing benefits.
Solvasa Destressance Serum is formulated with a combination of adaptogenic ingredients, including ashwaghanda and chaga mushroom along with skin calming peptides. When paired with Solvasa’s Crystal Wand as a cooling, soothing facial treatment, skin is brightened and lifted. The pulsing rose quartz crystal massage helps to improve micro-circulation to draw oxygen and nutrients to skin’s surface, release lymphatic fluid congestion to help move toxins out of the skin and reduce puffiness, and relieve muscle tension, especially around the forehead.
Caring for Others Starts with Caring for Yourself
Now, more than ever, taking extra steps to care for yourself is a critical step to taking care of others. And it’s especially important to remember that, in many ways, taking care of your skin starts with taking care of what’s going on in your head. Incorporating mindfulness practices to help you focus and find the silver linings amid the stress and uncertainty may very well be the beginning of restoring skin resilience. There’s no better time than today to start to appreciate the beauty in your presence.
