Skin Scaries: everyday things that can be a fright for your skin!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Halloween, that is! It’s time for scary movies, haunted pumpkin patches, themed costume parties and everyone’s favourite: trick or treating. And in the spirit of the season, this week, we look at everyday things that can have scary consequences for your skin!

Your bed sheets.

While you slumber, your body leaves sweat, skin oils, millions of dead skin cells, pet hair and dander, and other bodily fluids (such as saliva) behind. Anything you put on your face, body or hair can potentially rub off on your pillowcase. No matter how clean your sheets and pillows appear, there are likely microscopic mites that love to feed on your dead skin cells, not to mention thousands of bacterial colonies. Your unwashed sheets can aggravate your allergies, your asthma, and a variety of skin conditions- they can even make you sick! Your pillowcase and sheets should be washed once a week, preferably in hot water. If your skin is prone to breakouts, try changing your pillowcase every 2-3 days.  To reduce friction on your skin, consider switching to a silk pillowcase.

Fresh sheets? Our skin cells regenerate at night, making it the ideal time to use richer products to target your skin concerns. Try Payot Roselift Collagène Night Cream with rose stem cells to help your skin rebuild collagen when it is most effective.

Your cell phone.

Did somebody say ewww? When was the last time you thoroughly cleaned your phone (honestly)? You touch your cell phone with your hands hundreds of times a day and put your phone down on surfaces in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in public places - It’s no wonder that your cell phone is probably the dirtiest thing you own - harboring tens of thousands of bacterial colonies, not to mention oils from your skin, environmental toxins and makeup.  If you’ve ever noticed clogged pores or other skin conditions flaring up on one side of your face only - your dirty cell phone could be to blame. Experts say that you should be cleaning your cell phone daily (there are multiple resources on how to do this online). Also- favour hands-free calling if you can.

Skin having a flare up? Try Payot Crème no2 Originale, an old school skin salve with essential oils of thyme and lavender combined with anti-bacterial zinc, will soothe and protect your irritated skin. Apply a thick layer for a 30 minute ‘‘bandage’’ or apply a thin layer locally when irritation occurs.

Harsh skincare products.

While there is such a thing as too many bacteria, your skin needs good bacteria to stay healthy and balanced. Stripping and drying out your skin by over washing or using harsh products can lead to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. In recent years, there has been a push towards gentler cleansing and exfoliating methods and the use of good bacteria (probiotics) to protect the skin’s healthy microbiome.

Skin feeling a little stressed out? Try Payot Crème no2 L’Essentielle which contains probiotics to calm and rebalance your skin.

Your hands.

If the last 18 months have taught us anything, it’s that regular, thorough hand washing is essential to prevent the spread of potentially deadly diseases. And it’s no wonder - there are thousands of bacteria living on every inch of our hands. And when you frequently touch your face with your hands (often unconsciously), you can potentially spread those bacteria to your face, possibly leading to skin infections or worse! Aside from frequently washing your hands with a mild soap, be mindful of how often you touch your face. Some experts suggest using a scented hand cream or sanitizer- the scent will deter you from touching your face when you are distracted or bored.

Looking for a deeply nourishing, deliciously scented hand cream? You’ll want to apply Payot Ritual Body Crème Main Velours with multi-flower honey extract every time you wash your hands!

Stress.

Everyone feels stress sometimes, but chronic stress can wreak havoc on your mind, your body, and your skin. Stress has been linked to acne, under eye puffiness and dark circles, skin aging, rosacea, and chronic skin irritations such as eczema. For occasional feelings of stress, try sticking to healthy lifestyle habits - a balanced diet, physical activity, taking time to relax and enjoy activities you enjoy, and talking to people you trust about what stresses you.

Found a moment to relax? Payot’s Ritual Body Nourishing Cleansing Balm will leave your skin feeling like silk.

Your diet.

While the research is preliminary, most doctors will agree that a mostly healthy diet rich in whole foods is beneficial to all your bodies’ organs, including your skin. There has been a renewed interest in recent years about how certain foods, such as dairy products, can exacerbate certain pre-existing skin conditions.  But that doesn’t mean that sneaking your favourite chocolate bar from your kid’s trick or treat bag is detrimental to your skin’s health; an occasional sweet treat is good for your body and mood!

Does your body need a treat? Payot Herbier Nourishing Face and Body Massage Bar contains Cocoa butter and Rosemary essential oil to nourish your body and clear your mind.

*Please consult with your skin care professional to see if these products are right for you.