5 Skincare Tips For Busy Nurses

Wearing facemasks and PPE on a daily basis for 12+ hours causes some nurses to experience increased acne and dry skin. While washing your face and skin with harsh chemicals will clean the skin, it may not be the best solution. 

Nurses often report the following problems with their skin, 

• Acne
• Breakouts
• Inflammation
• Skin breakdown

So, we chatted with two medical estheticians for their best skincare advice for nurses,

• Jennifer Crampton-Walker, Master Esthetician and owner of Audrey's Holistic Skin Care in Seattle 
• Nicole Baldwin, Licensed Medical Esthetician and certified environmental aging specialist

Skin Care Tips For Nurses

Houston-based licensed medical esthetician and certified environmental aging specialist Nicole Baldwin, provided us with an excellent recommendation for preventing and managing skin damage while working as a nurse.

Protecting Skin

PW: What can nurses do to protect their skin during this time?

NB: Nurses must be mindful of the cleansers they use. Over-washing the skin with soap and detergent-filled cleansers can strip away the skin's critical fat molecules and good bacteria leading to contact dermatitis (red and irritated skin). Strengthening the skin barrier is essential to healthy skin. Being continuously exposed to environmental aggressors damage the extracellular matrix, causing premature skin aging and other skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Nurses and healthcare professionals need to use cleansers that:

1. Are hydrating
2. Are gentle
3. Stabilize the skin microbiome

Hydration is critical to protecting the skin against bruising and irritation caused by daily PPE wear. I recommend Caudalie Vinopure Pore Purifying Cleanser (Blemishes and oil control), Fresh Rose Cleansing Foam Face Wash (Hydration and Rejuvenation), and Biao Envirolution Anti-Pollution Micellar Foam Cleanser (neutralizes pollution residue and detoxifies skin cells) 

Preventing Breakouts 

PW: What can nurses do to prevent breakouts?

NB: First and foremost, it’s essential to know that breakouts are our body's way of informing us that something is going on internally. For example, in holistic medicine, we learn that breakouts above the nose area due to stress and breakouts below the nose area due to hormonal issues. Unhealthy eating from a hectic schedule can cause glycation (sugars in the bloodstream that form collagen, elastin, and other structural proteins in the skin) damage the skin cells, and cause breakouts. To prevent breakouts, it's vital to know what triggers your breakouts. Are they triggered internally or by contact with things such as:

• Pollution buildup
• Daily environmental aggressors
• Unhealthy eating
• Over-washing the skin
• Prolonged wear of PPE

If the cause of your breakout is stress, engage in stress-relieving exercises such as mindfulness, spiritual prayer, or exercising to regulate cortisol hormones and Seborrheic dermatitis (dry skin) that promote acne and skin disorders.

A dermatologist should always address hormonal acne or symptoms found on the skin. Be sure to cleanse hands before applying PPE and after removing PPE to eliminate germs and bacteria from transmitting to your skin. I recommend using:

1. A nourishing skin care cleansing product such as Noxzema Facial Cleanser Moisturizing Cleansing.
2. A detoxifying face mask such as Boscia Black Charcoal Mask.
3. A recovery face mask such as the Biao Envirolution, Skin R&R Face Mask
4. A de-stressing face mask for stressed and fatigued skin. 

Finally, drinking lots of water daily is essential for purifying the skin and keeping it hydrated and healthy. Try to drink at least 1-gallon per day and watch as your skin transforms!

Skin Product Recommendations

PW: Do you have any product recommendations for different types of skin:

1. Oily
2. Sensitive
3. Dry
4. Combo
5. Acne or breakout-prone

NB:

1. Oily – Dr. Perricone Hypoallergenic Face Moisturizer
2. Sensitive – Base Butter Radiant Face Jelly
3. Dry Skin - Epara Cleansing Lotion 
4. Combo – Glossier Exfoliating Skin Perfector 
5. Acne or breakout-prone. – Rich and Clear Breakout Erase

Looking for skincare created by a nurse? Nurse Practitioner, Dr. Natash Welch, DNP created a skincare line, Abraza Skincare. Abraza treats:

• Acne
• Hair loss
• Hyperpigmentation
• Anti-aging 

12 Things You Can Do Right Now To Combat Maskne!

Jennifer Crampton-Walker, Master Esthetician and owner of Audrey's Holistic Skin Care in Seattle said "Mask wearing is wreaking havoc on the skin of essential workers and healthcare professionals, alike. While it’s a small problem in the grand scheme, small problems are still problems."

Jennifer shared these awesome tips to prevent and treat the dreaded "maskne."

1. Refrain from picking at your skin
2. Schedule time with your favorite esthetician
3. Leave the extractions to professionals
4. Avoid touching your face
5. Wash your hands before putting on a mask
6. Wear a breathable mask or one that is freshly washed
7. Get outdoors whenever possible
8. Try an Oxygen facial
9. Seek consultations with an MD or ND to test for vitamin deficiencies and hormone imbalances and find ways to minimize stress
10. High frequency and LED light therapy help kill acne-bacteria
11. Get adequate sleep (I know this can be difficult for nurses)
12. Drink lots of water (try for 1 gallon a day, if you can!) 

Recommended Skin-Care Routine  

Jennifer loves plant-based, high-quality, holistic skin-care products. She recommends the following skincare routine with some of her favorite products, 

• Use a deep-cleaning cleanser: Daily use of masks is trapping heat and, as a result, is causing excess moisture that affects our skin from a lack of exposure to fresh air. This, in turn, manifests the perfect storm of acne-causing bacteria, moisture, and dead skin build-up. To combat this, I recommend upgrading to a professional skincare line and using a deep-cleaning cleanser. The Lyche Willow Bark cleanser from Sorella Apothecary is a natural exfoliator and pore minimizer that works wonders. 
• Apply a non-stripping toner to your skin to balance it: Spiced Wine Toner from Sorella Apothecary boasts pumpkin extract, which is a natural, gentle product that exfoliates and removes superficial dead skin cells and minimizes the appearance of pores. 
• Finish with a bold moisturizer that won’t clog your pores: The Balm from Sorella Apothecary includes beeswax, which is a natural emollient and acts as a protective barrier for the skin.
• Use an exfoliating mask once or twice per week: Sorella Apothecary’s mint poppy seed polish acts as a two-in-one mask that exfoliates. It can be applied to the face with circular movements to remove dead skin cells with eco-friendly buffers to help brighten skin. You can relax with it on for 20 minutes as the natural kaolin clay draws out impurities.