I can’t remember when I started taking care of my skin, but it would obviously have to be when i would have started earning some money. Skin-care costs. Before the lock-down, I had to double check if I had enough to last the month. I go through a lot of brands simply because I can see (and feel) my skin changing all the time and I need to be able to use products that would address those changes. Trying out a lot of products also gives you first-hand knowledge of what to use.

But there are two things that remain the same; 1) I always use sun-screen and 2) I NEVER fail to clean my face and put on some product before I go to bed.

Only recently, I have added to my regimen, an eye cream, a serum and a facial oil. I also avoid washing my face too often, or using hot water to wash my face. A big help would also have to be the habit of drinking a lot of water which I used to hate (drank lots of coffee instead). And proper sleep- a full 8 hours or more, also helps.

I currently use a lot of Khiel’s products simply because they work (Rare Earth Pore Minimising lotion, Youth Dose Eye Treatment, Oil Eliminator Shine Control Toner and the Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Gel). I augment these with Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair serum and its Hydro-Boost Night Concentrate, alternating it on some nights with Revitalift Night Cream by LOreal.

If I see specials at the supermarket (anything under $15) like facial oils, I’d get them. Though the years, there have been more than a few that didn't quite work (and trust me I know because I look at my face closely everyday) which you can tell just by sight or feel. Oil of Olay for one and all of its variants has never really worked but I never threw them away or chucked them in a cabinet. I use them on my neck for example or my butt- yes my butt. At the end of the day, they still have skin-improving qualities so it doesn't matter what skin it is you’re using it on.

I first heard about the brand The Ordinary when its founder, Brandon Truaxe committed suicide by throwing himself off his Toronto apartment. Deciem, the company he founded calls itself the ‘abnormal beauty company’ and has the lofty self-description of ‘clinical formulations with integrity’.

Basically most of the products only contain one active ingredient and the company doesn't do traditional marketing and advertising. In Truaxe’s own words: “beauty products as they’ve been traditionally sold and marketed are just a bunch of fluff being created, a bunch of fluff being bought, and a bunch of fluff being sold.”

I bought Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (high strength vitamin and mineral blemish formula because I think I’ve congested my skin with far too much use of sun-screen); Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (hydration support with ultra-pure vegan Hyaluronic Acid); and the Caffeine Solution 5% for my eyes. Total cost= $48. In comparison, my Khiel’s eye-cream is $65 for just 15ml.

For some of us, coming out of this lockdown looking physically good as ever, is part and parcel of maximising all the time you’ve had at home.