How to plot your post-Covid comeback with great skin - a 5 Step Plan

Photo: Joel Bengs

With government restrictions easing for those of us living in the UK, you’re probably thinking about emerging from your cocoon in the coming weeks. You might be fantasising about wearing those smart jeans that cost half a week’s wages or splashing out on the APC t-shirt you spotted on mrporter.com for summer barbecues - and you wouldn’t be alone. We’ve been daydreaming about the re-opening of pubs, restaurants, spas and shops that sell more than groceries or baking ingredients for weeks.

Even so, while most of us are fed up living, eating, working and zooming colleagues within the same four walls, are we truly ready to face the world again? Despite missing our friends or family members, the anxiety that comes with a global pandemic, and the boredom of yet another true crime TV series, things have gotten jolly comfy while we’ve been chilling at home. Soft loungewear, showering at noon (or later), and the option to ‘turn off camera’ whenever we can’t be bothered to style our hair have become some of the more welcome side effects of life in lockdown. This more relaxed approach to our appearance extends beyond our sweats, as many of us are also guilty of taking less care of our skin when no one else is around. Here is our guide to getting yourself prepped to face the world again.

Start now
Don’t wait until the morning of your first day back in the office or the first time you’re heading to a party of six in a mate’s garden and expect your skin to be ready. If you want to ensure it’s looking great by the time you’re ready to socialise, get in early with a few simple steps. 

Step 1
Seven days prior: Start cleansing
You’d be forgiven for cleansing less frequently in lockdown. In fact even in ordinary times, men and face washes don’t always go hand in hand, mainly because we don’t wear make up like women (although that’s now changing with some great men’s make up products on the market). As we explained in our article on the double cleanse, washing your face is necessary when your lifestyle or work demands it - i.e not too often and probably not twice. But if you’re planning to prime your complexion for its post-Covid comeback, cleansing regularly for a few days in advance is highly recommended. Not only will this help to remove dirt, sweat and toxins from the skin’s surface, it will also help ensure that the products you use can get to work properly and are more effective. The face wash you choose will depend largely on your skin type. However, for a great everyday all-rounder, you can’t go wrong with the James + Jake Major Cleanser.   

Step 2
Five days prior: Start shaving (optional)

This, of course, depends on your own personal preference. Maybe you’ve been rocking a beard for 10 years and don’t plan on changing that. Or perhaps you’ve grown a little stubble this past year and are feeling your new Adam Levine look. Both of which are totally fine. If however you want to be clean shaven for your return to the real world, then this is one step you really might need to consider in advance. In our James + Jake Good Shaving Guide For Men, there are plenty of tips for making your shave more effective and comfortable. The article includes everything from the hot shower prepping stage to the ideal post shave products. Whatever technique you choose to adopt when shaving, one thing is certain - the sooner you start, the more comfortable your skin will be once you need to head out. Starting a few days in advance is going to give any inflammation time to calm down and may also help to reduce what we call ‘shave shock’. This is the angriness your stubble area and neck usually feel when you hit it with the razor and can result in redness, tightness and dehydration after shaving. To soften the blow, give the James + Jake Calming Post Shave Cream a try. The product contains natural ingredients such as shea butter that calm and soothe, without any irritating synthetic fragrance or colour.  

Step 3
Four days prior: Start exfoliating 
‘Do men need to exfoliate?’ is one of the questions we get asked most often at James + Jake. The answer is a chorus of yes! As men, our skin’s upper layer, the epidermis, can be thicker than women’s. And it’s essentially made up of dead skin cells at the top, which are replaced by new cells from beneath over the course of about 30 days. Exfoliating away this dead layer leaves you with fresh, healthy, renewed skin and can brighten your complexion. You want to start this process a few days before you head to those barbecues or gatherings in the park. So choose between a manual (contains small particles that buff the skin) or chemical (not as scary as it sounds and uses small acid often derived from fruit or natural sources to exfoliate). 

Step 4
Three days prior: Reintroduce antioxidants
There are two reasons we recommend upping your dosage of antioxidants as we approach the end of lockdown. Firstly, you might have been spending tonnes of time in front of your computer screen, which some believe is contributing free radicals in your atmosphere and on your skin. These are tiny molecules ever-present in the air, originating from UV light, artificial light or pollution and contribute to the oxidative stress on our skin that triggers the natural ageing process. By adding antioxidants into your skincare routine, you can combat these free radicals, aiding the skin in rebuilding cells and offering protection. The other good reason is you’ll probably be spending more time out of the house, where your skin is exposed to the sun, the streets, and the elements. Using a preventative product that infuses your skin with antioxidants means you’re taking matters into your own hands with a pre-emptive strike. You can find antioxidants in a range of products, including face washes, targeted serums and our recommended product: The City Recovery Anti-Pollution Face Mask

Step 5
Two days prior: Start moisturising 
Many of our readers and customers are accustomed to the moisturising step in the skincare regimen, so that means daily hydration has been an essential part of lockdown life. If you’re new to this step or have been finding life indoors has made your skin drier, now could be the time to start moisturising. You can get a decent dose of hydration with just one application, but here we’ve recommended using a face moisturiser dry skin will thank you for at least a couple of days prior to heading out. If you’re concerned about oiliness, don’t fret - removing or avoiding all moisture can actually exacerbate the problem. So take a look around for an appropriate moisturiser for oily skin. If your have a dry skin type, try the James + Jake Major Hydrator for a clearer, fresher, hydrated complexion. We use an abundance of natural ingredients that condition the skin, without any harsh fragrance or artificial colours.  

Recommended reading: Sports hygiene: Your post-exercise skincare Qs answered