What is Covid-face and how can you treat it?

Covid-face can be described as the phenomenon of dull, dehydrated and sagging skin due to spending more time indoors, in front of screens and wearing masks.

It’s the main culprit that has people searching for new science-backed solutions to save their skin.

More and more people are complaining about their eyes, and everything associated with dark circles, puffy bags, fine lines and wrinkles and redness and irritation.

The skin around the eye is much thinner and more delicate than the skin on the rest of your body. That is why it can be easily damaged, and why it is so susceptible to premature ageing.

The causes

Understanding the causes of specific skin concerns can help in targeting the problem and reducing its appearance.

You’d be amazed at how much your eyes work during the day – from blinking to expressing emotions – and this alone can cause premature ageing.

Other reasons of premature ageing include genetic reasons, ultraviolet rays, external stressors and lifestyle choices.

Dark circles under and around the eye area are often caused by one of four main triggers: lymphatic, muscular, pigmentation or vascular.

Poor lymphatic drainage can cause fluids to build up, resulting in dark circles around the eyes. A substantial amount of fat loss in the face area can cause the brown muscles in the peri-orbital muscles to become visible, ultimately presenting as dark circles.

Overactive melanocytes can cause pigmentation around the eyes too, while vasodilation also creates dark circles.

Puffiness around the eye area can be attributed to insufficient lymphatic drainage, allergies or the bulging of eye fat pockets. And, lack of moisture in the skin and sun damage can cause fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.

If your skin feels red and irritated, it might be due to a breakdown in your skin’s barrier, causing sensitive skin. It could also be an allergic reaction or a sign of eczema or dermatitis.

How to treat Covid-face

According to Kevin Khosa, Customer Service Manager at SKIN functional, these skin concerns require early and effective treatment at the onset to manage the severity as you get older.

“Using products that target specific skin concerns with science-backed formulations can help manage the solution.”

Product ingredients that target the main conditions of Covid-face, include:

• Vitamin C helps for dark circles around the eyes, scavenging free radicals and brightening the skin. Recommended alternatives include caffeine, ceramides and Alpha Arbutin.
• A potent face serum with caffeine and peptides is sure to reduce the puffiness around your eyes. Caffeine reduces excess fluid build-up and peptides increase the production of collagen while also assisting in the restoration of damaged skin.
• Hyaluronic Acid, peptides and Vitamin C also help in keeping the eye area moisturised – one of the most important steps in reducing premature ageing.
• Copper Tripeptide is just as important as it increases the production of collagen and elastin, while also promoting the production of glycosaminoglycans and providing powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
• Ceramides are essential for a healthy, intact skin barrier.
• Niacinamide or Vitamin B3 is a brilliant ingredient that helps to prevent and treat sensitive skin.
• A barrier supporting serum with Squalane (which mimics your skin’s own natural lipics and inhibits moisture loss) and Cannabis Sativa Oil (an antioxidant that scavenges Reactive Oxygen Species, delivering perfect ratios of inflammatory omega fatty acids) might also be a great product to invest in when it comes to products with ingredients that focus on the conditions of Covid-face.

READ: Choosing the right sunscreen for summer

Additional ways to reduce premature ageing include using your daily broad-spectrum SPF, being gentle with your skin and focusing on sleeping well, eating well, exercising and drinking a lot of water.

A massage or staycation every now and again also can also be a good thing as it reduces stress and tension – something that has a huge impact on your skin’s appearance.