How isolation is changing our skin and skincare.
Source: Photo by kevin laminto on Unsplash
Is ISO skin a thing?
I can count the number of times I’ve worn make-up in the past 3 months in one hand.
And I know It’s not just me; as I video chat to colleagues, friends, family, I’ve noticed most people are wearing little to no make-up. According to a No7 survey, 82% of women are currently wearing less make-up.
However, the break in make-up hasn’t directly resulted in better skin with. It seems a lot of people are experiencing really terrible break outs and zits for the first time since they were teenagers. Laura Henshaw, KIC co-founder, posted a photo of her break-outs during isolation and her post was met with hundreds of comments of similar stories and experiences in a phenomenon some are calling #isoskin.
But why is this happening?
The most obvious reason for our skin breaking out is increased stress. Job security, family’s health and finances are all factors currently concerning Australians at a much higher rate than normal which can cause increased stress and can result in break outs.
Poor nutrition and increased alcohol consumption might have a thing to do with it too. With 33% of Aussies reportedly drinking daily and 70% drinking more than usual, it’s no surprise our skin might be rebelling and breaking out as a result.
Skincare is flying off the shelves
We have previously spoken about how this pandemic’s ‘lipstick effect’ is not lipstick at all, but instead beauty and skincare products. The rise in skincare purchases since the start of isolation has increased significantly. Myer reported a 600% rise in skincare purchases YOY. According to the same No7 survey, 52% of us have changed beauty priorities since lock down began. A lot of people trying new products and adding to their daily routines.
Skincare consultations in a digital world
As retail starts opening up again, one thing that may take a while to return to normal are beauty counters.
This has led to a lot of brands offering skin consultations online. MAC launched a range of virtual servicesto assist customers with their skin concerns, from a 15 min free consultation, to a 30 minute ‘Complexion Perfection’ session for $49 redeemable for products.
Mecca offered a range of free consultations for skincare, beauty, make up and even fragrance as well as a range of Mecca Live sessions daily on their socials. It will be interesting to see if the virtual consultations will remain in a post COVID world for users that don’t want to visit stores.
Mask make-up
It also seems like a lot of people have started considering their make-up looks with a mask with lots of ‘eye shadow looks’ and make up tutorials for masks appearing on beauty blogs and YouTube.
It seems a lot of us got used to virtual interactions with colleagues and friends make-up free, so will this continue as we return to offices? Or will we return to pre-COVID habits and forget about our natural looks?
Sylvia Jahn
