Problem: Dry skin

Air conditioning comes as standard in most offices come summertime. However, it is not good for the skin at all. In fact, prolonged exposure to AC can cause several skin conditions to arise that can be difficult to treat. Air conditioning dries air and reduces humidity in the environment which, in turn, dries out your skin.

This problem doesn’t just end when you leave the office. Aesthetic Practitioner, Farzila Allarakha says, ‘longterm exposure to air conditioning can cause the protective barrier function and the natural moisturising factor of the skin to become impaired. Once this happens, pH levels can also be disrupted and can allow for the penetration of bacteria deeper into the skin and a loss of moisture.’

Solution

The key is prevention, not cure, according to Allarakha. She believes, ‘a good knowledge of what ingredients to use is important, it isn’t a matter of just slapping on moisturiser every so often.

‘As we age, particularly as women go through menopause, the natural hyaluronic acid in the skin will deplete, so use of products with this in will help. Of course, always apply SPF during the day to ward off harmful UV rays.

‘If you suffer from a sensitive skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, dermatitis or grades 3-6 of acne then a barrier cream is very important to use to protect the skin from harmful pathogens.’

For instant hydration throughout the day, get yourself a face mist and start spritzing! These sprays are great to use whenever you feel like your skin needs a pick-me-up as they apply moisture directly to the skin and sink into the outer layers without making your face feel greasy or wet. The best part? You can also apply them over makeup. Problem solved!

Previous Slide Next Slide

• 

  Shop Now

  

  Shop Now

  

  Shop Now
• 

  Shop Now

Problem: Oily skin

Reaching lunchtime only to find that your face looks like an oily mess is no fun. You might be surprised to know that producing excess oil is often your skin’s response to dehydration. Dehydration is not the same as just having dry skin; this is when your skin is lacking essential water which makes it healthy. It’s estimated that the skin is made up of around 64% water, so hydration is very important!

Solution

Always keep some blotting paper in your desk drawer so you can keep the shine at bay throughout the day. Treat your body from the inside out by ensuring you drink enough water throughout the day. For a hydration boost, add some lemon slices to your water. Lemons contain loads of vitamin C which boosts collagen production and keeps your skin looking young and fresh!

Makeup artist to the stars, KSAVI gives these three top tips on keeping your skin hydrated for the office:

• Air conditioning and harsh weather conditions travelling in may dry out your skin. Use a dry skin moisturiser especially to help tackle this.
• To keep those lips looking healthy, keep plenty of lip balm in your daily makeup bag. Carmex is a great conditioner for lips.
• Like your skin, your hair needs moisture, too. Leave-in conditioning spray or a healthy serum will help protect the ends of the hair.

Problem: Breakouts

Touching phones and keyboards can harbour bacteria which is then brought to your face. Your keyboard alone has around 3,925 germs per square inch, and you probably touch your face 384 times per day! This inevitably means that germs end up on your face which can cause clogged pores and blemishes.

Solution

Have anti-bacterial wipes to hand and keep your desk area clean. Use hand sanitizer or wash your hands regularly throughout the day, especially before and after eating. It may be difficult because often we do it without realising, but try not to touch your face or lean on your hands to reduce the number of germs spread.

As part of your skin routine, wash your skin with a gentle cleanser when you get home from work and moisturise thoroughly. This will help to keep your skin feeling fresh and wash away the bacteria and pollution from the day.

Do you have any more tips for keeping skin fresh in the office?