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Article: How to look after your skin if you have a cold

How to look after your skin if you have a cold

How to look after your skin if you have a cold

You’re feeling like you’ve been hit by a steamroller, but you definitely don’t have Covid-19 (get a test if you’re uncertain). It’s just an ordinary ‘flu or cold. You’re tired, blowing your nose constantly and your skin is red, dry and sore.

As much as a cold affects you on the inside, it also affects your skin. A cold can dry your skin out, making it sensitive and prone to other problems like breakouts. And then. because you’ve been blowing your nose hundreds of times a day, the skin around your nose has literally been rubbed raw. It’s a miserable time.

If you have the energy, a bit of TLC for your skin means you’ll come out the other side looking better than you feel.

What do colds do to the skin?

One of the most important things you need to do for your skin is sleep. It’s when the skin cells can restore and renew. However when you have a cold, sleep becomes far less restful. Being unable to breathe due to a blocked nose or waking yourself up coughing means your sleep is broken. Your skin doesn’t get the renewal time it needs, and this leaves your complexion dull, sallow, and with more visible lines and wrinkles. Lack of exercise, as well as sleep, can cause your skin to puff up. Especially the eye area, which can look red and puffy.

Blowing your nose (seemingly) 1000 times a day is hard work for the skin. Even the softest aloe-infused tissues feel like sandpaper after a while. Irritated, chapped, red and super-sensitive skin is the result. If you’re prone to blemishes or blackheads, increased touching of your face may mean more problems.

And finally, colds suck the moisture from the skin. A combination of the cold itself and some of the medications we take make the skin dry, dull and looking far from its best.

How to heal a sore, red nose

You need to be ultra-gentle. Don’t scrub or exfoliate, although you can gently wash with lukewarm water and an oil-based cleanser. Use a patting motion to apply a moisturiser made with natural ingredients that are full of nutrients and healing power. Try to avoid using makeup, as it just comes off anyway.

How to brighten your skin during a cold

This process starts inside with a great diet and lots of water. Don’t skimp on fresh fruit and veges, although it can be tempting to live on fish and chips. If you want to take supplements, vitamin B will help with inflamed skin and zinc is shown to reduce the severity of a cold by 33%, while helping with your skin clarity.[1]

Topical applications of lush brightening skin products should be next on your list. You’ll want a serum to smooth out any uneven skin tones and bring back your glow.

How to hydrate your skin

Basically, moisturise a lot, using a nutrient rich, intensely hydrating moisturiser. As well as morning and night, if possible, apply during the day as needed too. When you shower or have a bath, it can be tempting to have super hot water to melt that cold away, but the heat will only damage and dry out the delicate skin more. Instead, have a warm shower, use a gentle cleanser, and be kind to yourself.

Avoid any alcohol-based products, as these dry out your skin. This includes facial wipes and some toners. You may also find your regular skincare products may aggravate your skin. Because it’s so delicate, things like retinol may cause a burning feeling, and simply make the dryness worse. If this is the case, skip it for now.

If you’re using hand sanitiser a lot, you can’t avoid the alcohol base. This, combined with hand-washing, dries out the skin on your hands. Apply hand lotion after you wash your hands, so your hands don’t dry out, get tight or sore.

Need an immediate boost?

If you need to head out into the world and want to look normal, there are a few things you can do. A cooling mask can refresh the skin, remove redness and help soothe puffiness. If you don’t have a cooling mask, a facecloth soaked in iced water applied over the eyes will help reduce redness and puffiness.

Then if you need to apply makeup, keep it light. A heavy foundation will slip into wrinkles, making them look more pronounced. Avoid any orange or pink eyeshadows, as they accentuate your red and puffy eyes; stick to cool greys or neutrals. A dusting of blusher on the cheeks gives you the appearance of wellness, even if you’re not feeling so great.

Rest, hydrate and moisturise

It can be difficult to take time out from your busy life, but having a cold demands it. Rest as much as possible, drink plenty of fluid and moisturise. Hopefully, you’ll emerge in a few days feeling better, and looking great.

[1] https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/02/10/803886479/taking-zinc-can-shorten-your-cold-thank-a-91-year-old-scientist-for-the-discover

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