Sick Day Skin Care Tips & Tricks

We've all been there, we have a cold but we also have a big presentation at work, so staying home to ride things out is just not an option. And, while a face mask certainly won't get rid of those sniffles, it can help you to look a little less under the weather as you rally through your work day. Want to know a few expert beauty tricks for hiding the fact that you're feeling, well…gross? Check out our tips for caring for your skin when you're sick, below! 

When you’re feeling under the weather your skin can often appear dull and lackluster, so the first step in your sick day skin care routine should be a quick scrub down. If you have time, hop in the shower with your favorite body scrub—we love these microbead-free body scrubs from Kiehl’s—gently massage it onto your body to slough away dead skin cells. Strapped for time? Exfoliate your face! Reach for an exfoliating cleanser like L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Daily Scrub Cleanser formulated with glycolic acid. The cleanser helps to gently exfoliate dullness on your skin’s surface to visibly reveal a more radiant-looking complexion. Just be sure to be diligent about your broad-spectrum SPF application during the day as alpha-hydroxy acids like glycolic acid can make skin more photosensitive.

After cleansing and exfoliating your skin reach for a five-minute face mask like Vichy Quenching Mineral Mask. Ideal for skin in need of a little extra moisture, this face mask is formulated with Vichy’s exclusive Mineralizing Thermal Water and soothing vitamin B3 to help hydrate dry, uncomfortable skin. It’s a great way to prep your complexion for moisture and to leave it looking fresh and ready for the day ahead—even when you feel anything but!

Lock in the hydration from the mask and help your skin look as best it can by reaching for a moisturizer formulated for dull-looking skin. L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Rosy Tone Moisturizer is formulated with LHA and imperial peony to help renew and revive a healthy-looking tone, making it one of our top picks when we’re feeling under the weather. 

If you wake up with puffy-looking peepers when you’re feeling sick, you’re not alone. To help de-puff in a pinch, try one of these expert hacks from Dr. Rocio Rivera, L’Oreal Paris’ Scientific Communications Director. Brew a cup of chamomile tea and stick it in the fridge—tea bags and all. Once the bags have cooled, squeeze out the excess liquid and place the bags over your closed eyes for a minute or so. The cooling sensation can help the appearance of your puffy-looking eyes. You can also store an eye cream with a metallic applicator in the fridge—the cooling sensation paired with the eye cream can help to make your eye area look less puffy. 

Clammy complexion? Keep a few blotting papers in your beauty bag! They help to mattify the appearance of your complexion by removing excess oil on the go, without ruining your makeup application. Another great addition to your beauty bag when you’re feeling less than stellar is a face mist. Look for a facial mist that’s formulated with thermal water to help soothe your complexion.

Hide the Evidence

To hide all visible evidence of a cold we rely on cosmetics. A little foundation, concealer, blush, and a swipe of mascara can go a long way in helping you look like you’re feeling great…even when you’d rather be curled up in bed!