Here's a guide to sanitary skincare in the time of COVID-19

Keeping your hands and face clean at all times is one of the golden rules in trying to avoid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

But for those of us who still need to put our best face forward, or maintain a daily skincare routine, fear not — licensed dermatologist  Dr. Winlove Mojica shared with us a couple of tips on how we can take extra precaution when applying anything on our faces.

1. Wash your hands before touching your face

This is a no-brainer, and it should become a habit.

You don’t want the microbes from anything you touch going to your face, your eyes or the containers where you keep your sacred oils and toners.

2. Sanitize new products

Lotions and makeup may not be on top of everyone’s shopping lists right now, but we would need to restocking at some point.

If you do manage to get self-care products from the store, make sure you thoroughly wipe the packaging down with a disinfectant such as alcohol-based sanitizer.

After reading the instructions, it’s best to throw any unneeded boxes or packaging away. It’s no use keeping them and it would just add to the clutter at home.

3. Keep products to yourself

We all know sharing is caring, but it might not be the best time for different people in the house to share the same skin care products.

"It is best not to borrow skin care products from your family members and friends to avoid cross contamination," Dr. Winlove explains.

Now, should we really be worrying about skincare at a time like this?

According to Dr. Winlove, the main reason we should still be taking care of our skin even if most of us just staying home to avoid  COVID-19 is because only life-threatening health conditions are being prioritized in health facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Most skin conditions are non-life threatening therefore individuals presenting with complaints about their skin will most likely not be entertained,” he tells GMA News Online.

Having said this, Dr. Winlove reminds us that this is not the time to buy fancy skin care products or experiment with skin care.

“Going out to buy non-essential products defeats the purpose of the ECQ (enhanced community quarantine),” he explains.

“Should you also experience adverse reactions with these new skin care products, it will be harder for you to find a dermatologist to help manage your condition. Stay home and take care of your skin, but keep your skin care regimen simple,” he adds.

As of Tuesday, April 7, the Philippines has 3,764 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with recovery count at 84.

In a bid to curb the spread of virus, the government on Tuesday extended the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine to April 30.

—JCB, GMA News