At-Home Skin Care Advice with Dr. Rocio

Being at home provides you with the perfect opportunity to channel a little extra energy into your skin care routine. In fact, we’d say there’s no better time to tweak your regimen with new skin care products and tips—and Dr. Rocio Rivera, head of scientific communications for L'Oréal Paris, agrees! Below, find five at-home skin care tips from Dr. Rivera.

TIP #1. BE PREPARED FOR BREAKOUTS

When you’re at home for a long period of time, you may notice your skin is breaking out a bit more than usual. You likely aren’t wearing as much makeup as you usually would, so what’s to blame for these breakouts? Well, there are a few factors that could contribute to this.

Factor #1. Staying indoors. A lack of fresh air can have an impact on your skin! “When your complexion isn’t getting its usual fresh air, the evaporation process is not happening,” says Dr. Rivera.

Factor #2. Stress. Yes—stress can impact your skin. Try to keep a positive mindset. If you’re finding it difficult to manage your stress, consider adding meditation to your routine. Here are 5 Benefits of Meditation We Think You Should Know.

Factor #3. Nutrition. When you’re home (especially if you’re working from home), it’s all too easy to snack and eat more than you usually do. According to Dr. Rivera, “This change in eating habits may affect your skin and show up in forms like breakouts.”

Factor #4. Sleep. Getting the proper amount of sleep can make all the difference in your complexion—yes, beauty sleep is real! When you’re at home, it’s easy for your sleep schedule to get thrown off. “Always make sure you still sleep seven to eight hours a night,” Dr. Rivera advises.

TIP #2. DON’T SKIP SPF

Just because you’re inside doesn’t mean you can skip out on sun protection! Yup, you should wear sunscreen indoors. “Always use SPF, indoors or outdoors—even when it rains. Remember that sunlight goes through your windows,” Dr. Rivera says.

As part of your at-home skin care routine, first treat and moisturize your complexion with the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum, then follow up with a moisturizer with SPF, like the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Day Lotion SPF 30.

TIP #3. STICK TO THE BASICS

Even if you’re spending a lot of time at home, you should still stick to a standard skin care routine! There are four simple steps you should always follow.

Step #1. Wash your face. Dr. Rivera recommends using a gentle cleanser to avoid compromising your skin barrier.

Step #2. Treat your skin. Yes, face serums should be a staple in your regimen! “Serums are the perfect way to get a strong dose of actives,” Dr. Rivera explains.

Step #3. Moisturize. To get the most out of this step, look for a moisturizer that does more than hydrate your skin, such as one with anti-aging benefits or SPF. Speaking of…

Step #4. Protect your skin. We already touched on this, but the last step in your morning regimen should always be SPF!

TIP #4. WASH YOUR FACE

Regardless of what has become of your makeup routine while at home, you shouldn’t skip washing your face. Dr. Rivera says, “Even if you are not wearing makeup, your skin still collects dust, oil, and impurities.” As for how to cleanse, she shares, “Make sure you aren’t over-cleansing or using harsh soaps as these deplete your skin of its natural oils.”

TIP #5. TRY NEW PRODUCTS

Introducing your skin to new products the proper way can take time and patience. If you have an uptick in time, now’s your chance to add some newness to your routine. “If you ever wanted to start using retinol or glycolic acid to really work on your specific skin concerns, now is the perfect time so your skin can get used to the active ingredient,” Dr. Rivera explains. Interested? Here are two products to try.

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Day Lotion SPF 30: Remember this moisturizer we mentioned earlier? Besides offering sun protection, it’s also the perfect way to introduce your skin to a retinol derivative like Pro-Retinol. This moisturizer contains Pro-Retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid to reduce wrinkles, firm, and brighten.

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum: Formulated with 10% pure glycolic acid, this serum can be used daily at night after cleansing and before your nightly moisturizer to help dark spots, uneven skin, rough texture, and wrinkles and help unclog your pores! Plus, this formula has soothing ingredients, making it perfect for those with sensitive skin.

Next: 8 Self-Care Tips for Your Beauty Routine