The workplace can wreak havoc on your skin. The pollution, the stress and the harsh chemicals that surround you all day long can leave you feeling dry, itchy and flaky. No wonder that at least half of us are struggling with breakouts, acne or oily skin by this point in our lives. Thankfully, there’s no need to just resign yourself to your problems — with a little bit of research and some simple changes to your routine, we’ve found six affordable skincare tricks that will cure your woes in no time. Read on for more information about what you need to do to take care of your skin at work, as well as ideas on how to save money while still protecting your skin from the harsh environment around you.
## Ditch the oily moisturizers
The first thing you can do to keep your skin clear and prevent acne while you’re at work is to ditch the oily moisturizers you’re currently using. These types of products are especially bad for your skin because they can leave you feeling greasy, which triggers oil production and makes your skin even drier. While you need your skin to be oilier than usual when you’re away from home, you don’t want it to be too oily — oily skin is the fastest way to get clogged pores and acne. While you can’t keep moisturizers outside of your work bag, you can bring an oil to slather on your face before bed. This is especially helpful if you’re dealing with a particularly oily area like the forehead or nose.
## Don’t skimp on sunscreen
The next thing you can do to keep your skin safe while you’re at work is to slather on sunscreen. You don’t have to break your bank to find a good, affordable sunscreen that protects your skin. Look for one that has an SPF of at least 30. Too many people skimp on sunscreen because they think that they don’t need it when they’re in the office. But, no matter how careful you are, there will always be some amount of sun damage when you’re outside. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Sun damage is cumulative — even the tiniest amount will add up over time and cause wrinkles. Another reason you’ll want to slather on sunscreen is that you’ll have a better, less-stressed-out complexion while you’re at work. Excess cortisol (the stress hormone) can cause your skin to produce more oil, which can make you look shiny and oily. When you apply sunscreen, you’re reducing the amount of cortisol your skin produces and giving it a break.
## Take a break from your cleanser and use an Essence or oil
If you’re currently using a harsh cleanser, you may want to try switching to a more gentle one. Milder cleansers can be used for for every-other-day use, while cleansers with a high pH level can be used once a week. What you do is cleanse your face and then apply an oil or an essence on top of it. The oil and essence will act as a barrier against the harsh cleanser, keeping it from damaging your skin. While it’s not recommended to use an oil or essence on its own, you can use it to cleanse your face and then add a toner to your skincare routine.
## Use a gentle exfoliator
An easy way to keep your skin looking fresh and preventing acne is to use a gentle exfoliator. Exfoliation is when you remove the outermost layer of your skin, revealing the new layer underneath, and can help reduce the appearance of pores and prevent acne. Exfoliation is especially helpful when you’re fighting with an oily complexion because it will slough off any excess oil and reveal your natural skin tone underneath. An easy way to do this is to use an exfoliating scrub. There are plenty of affordable scrubbies available these days that are gentle enough to be used every day. Look for scrubs that are packed with ingredients like AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids), as these will help your skin get rid of any dead skin cells and promote a healthy, youthful glow.
## Don’t forget about your serums and creams
It’s easy to skip your serums and creams when you’re just trying to get through a harsh day at the office, but you need these products to keep your skin protected and healthy. Look for serums that are packed with antioxidants to shield your skin from the harmful UV rays that break down your cells. You can also look for serums that have hydrating formulas to keep your skin from feeling as dry while you’re away. You can also look for creams that have SPF protection, as most serums do. Keep in mind that you can use moisturizer twice a day when you’re at work.
## Bring in some air with a humidifier and/or steam
When your office is super dry and you’re dealing with dry skin, you may want to consider bringing in some moisture with a humidifier or a steamer. These are especially helpful if your workplace doesn’t have a dehumidifier, as these are able to suck up the moisture from the air and give you a little relief from the problem. If you can’t bring in some moisture with a humidifier or a steamer, you can always use a moisturizer or chapstick on your lips. They’ll still help to keep your lips from feeling too dry.
## Tips to Save Money While Protecting Your Skin at Work
– Don’t go overboard with your skincare products by overusing them. Don’t force yourself to use a cleanser that doesn’t feel right or an exfoliant that you’re not sure about.
– If your skin is particularly dry, you may want to consider using an SPF moisturizer under your SPF sunscreen as an additional layer of protection.
– Keep your skincare products in a backpack or a lunchbox so that you can easily bring them to work with you.
– If you need to, keep your skincare products in the fridge or the freezer so that they’re always the right temperature.
– Consider getting a subscription to your favorite skincare products to save money.
– Don’t forget about your hands when you’re at work. Keep them moisturized and protected from the harsh environment.
## P.S. We also have plans to write a more in-depth guide on how to apply makeup at work as well.
