Your Sick Day Skin Care Routine

We’ve all been there: You wake up with a cold and press snooze as you ponder if you can miss work—only to remember that you have to give a big presentation at the office. Since staying home isn’t an option, it’s officially time to try to make yourself look like you’re A-OK—even if you don’t necessarily feel like it. Sure, a skin care routine complete with a face mask, moisturizer, dark circle-diminishing eye cream, and a little bit of imperfection-hiding makeup won’t take away your sniffles, but at the very least they can help you look a little less under the weather than you actually are, so that you can rally through your work day until you can get back to the comfort of your bed. Follow these skin care routine steps to care for your complexion when you feel sick.

SICK DAY SKIN CARE ROUTINE STEP #1: USE AN EXFOLATING FACIAL CLEANSER

When you’re not feeling your best, your skin can often appear dull and lackluster. That’s why the first step in your skin care routine should be using an exfoliating facial cleanser. Exfoliation is the process of sloughing dead skin cells off the surface of your skin—these dead skin cells can often build up, leading to dullness.

The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate & Refine Cleanser is just right for kick-starting your sick day skin care routine. Suitable for oily and combination skin, this facial cleanser’s formula is formulated with red algae and clay to go beyond daily cleansing to exfoliate. Squeeze the facial cleanser into your hands and add water to transform it from clay to mousse, then gently massage onto your face using circular motions. Rinse off, then pat dry.

SICK DAY SKIN CARE ROUTINE STEP #2: TREAT YOURSELF TO A FACE MASK

There’s never a better time to indulge yourself in the things you love than when you’re sick, and that includes using face masks. Set aside 10-15 minutes in the morning, even if it’s while you’re eating breakfast or struggling to leave your bed, and smooth on the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clear & Comfort Face Mask. If the fun blue shade of this face mask doesn’t perk you up, it’s complexion-refreshing abilities certainly will. If you’re feeling ambitious enough to multi-mask, try adding a charcoal mask to the mix.

SICK DAY SKIN CARE ROUTINE STEP #3: STAY HYDRATED WITH MOISTURIZER

On sick days, it’s unavoidable that everyone will drill it into your head to drink lots of liquids to stay hydrated, but the same goes for your skin. When your blowing your nose 24/7, dry skin is practically just another tissue away. After rinsing off your face mask(s), reach for a hydrating water-based moisturizer. Try the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care – Normal/Dry Skin or the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care – Extra Dry Skin to envelop your skin in much-needed moisture.

SICK DAY SKIN CARE ROUTINE STEP #4: DAB ON EYE CREAM

When you’re not feeling so hot, you may wake up with puffy-looking eyes. The L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Miracle Blur Eye is formulated with light-diffusing pigments to instantly reduce signs of aging and fatigue around the eyes and create a younger, radiant finish. This eye cream has an instant blurring effect on puffiness, fatigue signs, and crow’s feet, so dot on a small amount to your eye area with your finger tips and gently blend it in.

SICK DAY SKIN CARE ROUTINE STEP #5: HIDE ALL REMAINING EVIDENCE WITH MAKEUP

Just because you feel a tad rundown doesn’t mean you have to look it! With the help of a little color correcting concealer and full coverage foundation, no one has to know you’re feeling under the weather—unless you sneeze, that is. Start off by applying the L’Oréal Paris True Match Color Correcting Crayon in your shades of choice. Green can help neutralize redness, Peach, Bisque and Orange can help disguise dark circles and dark spots, and Yellow can help mask the look of blue or purple tones in your skin. Then, follow up with a full coverage foundation, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Total Cover Foundation. Apply it with a makeup blender, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender for a seamless finish. Next, add a touch of highlighter, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Glow Nude Highlighter Palette, and a swipe of mascara, like the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara, for a presentation-ready look.

Here’s to feeling better soon! Next up, check out our article, Your Guide to Taking Care of Dull-Looking Skin.