During sickness, we are trying to heal our bodies by using all sorts of remedies, but what about our skin? Illness takes a toll on our skin, too! The symptoms and everything that happens in our bodies can cause havoc on our skin, even after we start to feel better. It will take a while for our skin to get back to its usual glowing self.

I have recovered recently from flu and it took awhile for my skin to get back to normal. It just looked dull and dry, and there was a lot of sensitivity and breaking out.

When you are feeling unwell, the last thing you want to do is follow your usual skincare routine. So what do you do? Continue to cleanse and nourish your skin, but keep your regime to the bare minimum.

I wanted to share some tips and tricks that you can use to get your skin back to its usual glowing appearance when you're not feeling well.

Your skin barrier is a precious friend that protects your skin from all things bad, and also holds onto water in your skin. We want to protect your skin barrier. I recommend using products like Nimue hyaluronic ultra-filler or Nimue hyaluronic oil that contain ceramides or hyaluronic acid. This keeps a waterproof, protective barrier in the skin, helping with dehydration and sensitivity that occurs when you are unwell.

I highly recommend applying a face oil at night. These are absorbed directly into the top layer of the skin, improving the lipid barrier function (which gets damaged, especially if you are constantly blowing your nose), repairing your skin, and giving you that healthy glow when you wake up. Oils can also deliver nutrients, like essential fatty acids, to the skin. Essential oils can have an aromatherapeutic benefit. I recommend calendula, lavender, chamomile, seabuckthorn, or jojoba, which all have a calming and nourishing effect on the skin. We want to be nurtured and soothed when we are not well. I recommend Kat's calming and repairing organic face oil to give you some TLC.

A nourishing overnight face mask treatment with active ingredients would also be a good choice to recharge the skin. I recommend Nimue's anti ageing leave on mask.

Avoid hot showers and baths as they can dehydrate your skin further. Keep a face mist next to your bed to hydrate your skin and give you a feeling of freshness. Drinking a lot of fluids like herbal teas and hot water with lemon helps your body to get rid of toxins, hydrate you, and improves plumpness in the skin.

Running a humidifier in your bedroom can put moisture into the air, which is great to retain that skin hydration. I recommend adding cedarwood, rosemary, or tea tree oil to your humidifier. They are great essential oils for colds and flu!

**Treat the inflammation/ and flare up in the skin!**

You will notice sensitivity or flare ups in the skin when your immune system is down and you are fighting illness.

Why is this happening?

In my opinion, this is due to toxins releasing through the skin from the liver (your skin is your second liver) when your immune system is under attack. Paracetamol can be bad news, because it overloads the liver's ability to detoxify, which can be reflected in the skin.

Inflammation from the gut can also manifest on the skin and create congestion, sensitivity, and redness.

It's essential to support the "good" bacteria in the gut. Especially if you are taking painkillers, for example ibuprofen, or antibiotics. They can wreak havoc on the digestion. Take a good quality probiotic to re-inoculate the digestive tract with beneficial bacteria after an infection. I recommend bioacidophilus forte plus probiotic.

Be mindful of overzealous exfoliation and triggers like isopropyl alcohol, fragrances, retinoids, and AHAs in products that can irritate the skin. Let your skin recover before reintroducing retinoids and exfoliants back into your skincare regimen.

The constant blowing of your nose will lead to redness as well as dry flaky skin. Try using calendula oil around the nose because of its wound healing properties. Calendula promotes healing and skin repair and has anti-inflammatory properties. Calendula oil often is used to aid the healing of minor wounds, inflamed skin conditions. It's also great for healing chapped, dry, or fissured lips. Remember to increase your fluid intake to prevent fissured lips as well.

Headaches or migraines are the worst symptoms when you are sick. Apply a damp, cold compress to the forehead or back of the neck (you can put this in the freezer for 10 min) with a drop of chamomile or eucalyptus oil.

And why not use a cooling mask to alleviate headaches and congestion? Applying a fridge cold sheet mask will be your best friend. They have a calming and plumping effect for your skin, and they feel great!

Elevating your head with an extra pillow can reduce swelling under the eyes. Because your lymph is moving by natural muscle pressure and gravity, it slows down when you're lying in bed for a long period of time. (Want to know more about this? Read my journal post on lymphatic drainage here.)

I recommend using cryo ice tools. The cooling sensation of cryo ice tools calms inflamed skin, promotes lymphatic drainage, and boosts blood circulation to depuff and achieve glowing skin!

**As soon as you feel up for it, massage your face!**

Lack of sleep due to a cough, sinus congestion, or fever will lead to under-eye bags, puffiness, and sallow-looking skin. That's why boosting your skin's circulation is so important to depuff and brighten your skin. Check out DIY massage techniques on my instagram that will boost your lymphatic system, stimulate your blood flow, and alleviate sinus pressure and muscle tension.

**What shall I do if I have hair loss?**

A lot of people lose hair after a viral infection, stress, or surgery. Low iron, vitamin D, or zinc can lead to hair loss, so make sure you have enough in your diet or use an extra supplement.

**Supplement and diet to get the glow back**

Take a good all round vitamin and mineral supplement. It is a good idea to take extra antioxidant supplements that contain vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc, and selenium. For dry skin, I recommend taking flax, borage, and evening primrose oils.

Make sure to eat lots of mineral rich, nutrient-dense foods while avoiding sugar, meat, and dairy, which can cause inflammation in the body. Eating more alkaline than acidic foods and drinking good quality spring water will also keep you glowing!

Overall, take care of yourself when you're sick. Don't feel guilty staying in bed and sleeping as much as possible! Sleep is the best medicine. It strengthens your immune system, which will help you and your skin recover more quickly!