You’ve just come back from a nice summer break out in the fresh air! Suddenly you’re back in a stuffy office or classroom and hit with a ton of new work, coursework and looming exams. Your skin is likely to be the first casualty. Check out top skin care tips below to avoid the skin woes.

 

Skin care tips to protect your skin as you head back to work and school

 

The ‘back to work’ or ‘back to school’ period is when you are most likely to get skin breakouts due to the sudden change of environment, clothing and an increased amount of stress. But if going back to work or school isn't bad enough, getting a skin breakout will only make matters worse. Here is a helpful list of the most common ‘back to work’ and ‘back to school’ skin ailments and the skincare tips to try and avoid them.

 

Protect your skin from skin woes

 

New heavy autumn clothes and school uniforms which are likely to both itch and make you sweat, a hot stuffy office or classroom are all likely triggers for eczema or dry skin breakouts. To combat this try and stick to linen or natural fabric clothes and stay in lighter summer clothes for as long as you can. Also try to avoid having your skin waxed or using a fake tan to prolong your tan for up to two weeks after your return from holiday. It’s also a good idea to avoid having your hair dyed or highlighted for up to two weeks after your return from holiday as the skin on your scalp may have been compromised due to sun exposure. The Hydrosil Dry Scalp Shampoo by the Skin Shop helps to alleviate a dry, itchy scalp.

 

Make sure you are sitting near an open window if the office feels stuffy and hot and get out for a cooling de-stressing walk at lunch time. A preventative measure would be a daily application of a gel such as the Skin Shops Hydrosil Cardiospermum Gel made from an extract of Cardiospermum (balloon vine), a natural treatment for eczema and, if applied regularly, could help reduce or even prevent an eczema flare up. 

 

A UK trial on the gel found it to be more effective for some people than steroids in the treatment of eczema. The trial was carried out by a doctor, on 50 people, 28 of whom were previously using steroids for their eczema. The trial found that the Cardiospermum Gel was both more effective and significantly more pleasant to use than all existing treatment the patients had tried, including steroids. Ensure to avoid washing skin with soaps or shower gels as much as possible and carry out a twice a day moisturising routine of the skin for a month after your return from holiday.

 

Combat the cold

 

After a nice relaxing summer holiday returning to your stuffy office or classroom crammed with people and the busy commute to work can mean you are more likely to pick up a cold, which can lead to skin breaks outs and cold sores. To combat this, wash your hands more frequently, especially after a commute to and from work. Carry sterile wipes with you and wipe down your mouth, nose and hands regularly when on public transport or crowded public places and drink plenty of water. For the first month of the ‘back to work’ or 'back to school' period, get early nights as often as possible. Aim for around 8-9 hours sleep a night will build up your immune system and strengthen it for when the real party season kicks in during the run up to Christmas. 

 

The power of Zinc

 

It is worth increasing your intake of Zinc. Zinc inhibits viral replication and is believed to prevent cold viruses from attaching to nasal cells. Even a mild deficiency can cause an imbalance in white blood cells, whose job it is to destroy the infective agent. Top up zinc levels by eating wholegrains, nuts and beans and sprinkling pumpkin and sunflower seeds onto breakfast cereal.

 

 

Cancel out cold sores

 

When you go back to work and are more stressed out, reaching out for less healthy snacks, probably got a cold and you are generally more fatigued so your immune system defense is lowered. This mix is a prime trigger for cold sores and means that going back to work can leave the 30 million sufferers in the UK vulnerable to an attack. It is easy to suggest that you should simply reduce your stress levels, always choose a healthy cereal bar over the muffin and get an early night. However, we all know that in the real world this advice is seldom practical.  But a lip balm containing liquorice extract could be any easy way to help reduce the frequency and intensity of cold sore outbreaks. 

 

In a recent trial by the Herpes Virus Association, Liquorice Balm was found to be effective in a double-blind trial, carried out by the Herpes Viruses at reducing the severity and duration of outbreaks for over 73% of subjects. 

 

Unlike conventional treatments, due to its naturally derived ingredients, sufferers can wear the lip balm at all times, meaning that the intensity of the cold sore outbreaks could be diminished before they really have a chance to take hold.  Check out our Lipq Liquorice Balm designed to help protect lips from cold sore outbreaks. Research published in the US Journal of Clinical Investigation has shown that liquorice has the ability to weaken the cold sore virus which lies dormant in the skin between outbreaks.

 

Banish blisters and corns

 

After the summer months spent bare foot on the beach or in flip flops and sandals your feet will have widened slightly and so will probably experience an unwelcome shock when they are forced back into restrictive and uncomfortable work or school shoes.  For the first few days back to work when your feet will probably be feeling the worst try Scholl Party Feet.  These great gel cushions can be slipped into your shoes and will prevent you from having to hobble around by the end of a long day. 

A healthier tip is to walk to and from work in nice comfy flats that you are used to wearing and save the power heels for at work only. When you get home treat your feet to a relaxing foot soak with some essential oils (try peppermint and lavender) to soothe, comfort and restore sore feet and to help prepare them for the next day at work.  If you’re suffering from muscle and joint pain, try Skin Shop’s Celafen cream. Celafen is a natural product that works by lubricating the cell membranes and repelling inflammatory chemicals responsible for the pain, stiffness and reduced mobility associated with various forms of joint pain.

 

 

Protect your private areas

 

You’re back in office or school uniform again, this means heavy formal trousers or skirts and nylon tights, which can lead to thrush. Thrush is caused by a yeast-like fungal growth. Yeasts flourish in a warm, moist environment. 

 

 

1. Clothing

 

Wearing tights, nylon underwear or unbreathable trousers can create such an environment by trapping body heat and perspiration and preventing air from circulating around the genital area. Stick to wearing cotton underwear and stockings instead of tights, avoid tight trousers and pat dry the genital area thoroughly after washing. Avoid using perfumed intimate washes or wipes for up to two weeks after your return from holiday. You can also help to eliminate the thrush by focusing on a few dietary changes. Skin Shops In2mate care range is over 99% natural and works in unison to keep intimate skin cleansed, flexible, lubricated and balanced. 

 

2. Diet

 

You will definitely need to avoid sugar, and any foods containing sugar, as they will promote the growth of yeast. During the most vulnerable first month of the ‘back to work’ period you  also need to cut down on foods that contain yeast, and any products that are fermented, such as bread, beer and wine. 

 

3. Supplements

 

You could also try taking ThreeLac, a supplement containing three strains of live lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus Sporogenes, Bacillus Subtilis and Streptococcus Faecalis) that work to stamp out yeast infections. ThreeLac has been shown in studies to get rid of candida yeast infections as fast as antibiotics.